In the archives, there somewhere lurks a post I did a few years ago on the different amounts of cable pull per unit of lever tip movement. Here's a summary, where the ratio is the cm lever movement per cm of cable pull-up: 2.1 Universal 2.4 Shimano 105 road (presumably not "aero," but don't remember 3.0 Weinmann Red Dot 3.2 DiaCompe, unspecified 3.8 Weinmann "Delta" 4.2 Sachs "Ergo"
So, the Universal takes up much less cable than some levers. I'm sorry I didn't measure a Mafac, but suspect it would be a good substitute to give you more force applied.
harvey sachs mcLean va USA
Hi Alan, Have no idea about the bike, but my experience with the super 68's is identical to yours. I first tried new pads - no improvement, then new levers (Shimano aero) - slight improvement, then replaced the calipers with Mafac Racers - problem solved. Good luck.
John
On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 8:09 PM, <cigar460@aol.com> wrote:
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I recently found an unidentified old French bike at my local Recycle-a
>> -Bicycle. Painted a vibrant purple, it has a rather elegant diamond
shaped
>> head badge with the initials CS. Mostly Suntour components but I
don't know
>> if this is original. The original wheels were Ukai tubular rims with
>> sunshine hubs. It has a rather unusual quick release on the base of the
>> stem, even though the SR stem has the usual stem bolt (maybe the
stem is not
>> original). Stamped unmarked dropouts, and half chromed on the chain
stays
>> and fork. Very short top tube, 56 cm, for a 61 c to c frame.
>>
>> Anyway, the brakes are Univeral super 68, very vintage looking, with
a neat
>> linkage type quick release mechanism. The only problem is that
they don't
>> work! I put on modern Tektro pads, tried tight adjustment, loose,
etc. The
>> rims are new and clean. The brakes simply don't stop the
bike....unless you
>> grab the very end of the brake lever from the drops and really
squeeze hard.
>>
>> Anyone have any idea what this bike may be....and why these very
>> nice-looking brakes don't work? Thanks in advance.
>>
>> Alan LaVine
>> New York, NY, USA