According to my local (and knowledgeable) bike shop guy, it was pretty common practice. My Raleigh from the early 70's was configured exactly the same way. I have no idea why.
Leslie Tierstein Arlington VA
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 08:05:42 -0500
> From: Matthew Bowne <devotion_finesse@hotmail.com>
> Subject: [CR] Short Reach Front, Long Reach Rear?
> To: CR List <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP57792EBBB59F3C5687F0E5F5370@phx.gbl>
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> delsp=yes
>
> Do my eyes deceive? Or is it really possible that this early 70's
> Colnago Super is built to accept a short reach front brake
> caliper...and a standard reach in the rear? Am I missin' something
> here? Or was this a common practice for builders of the era? If so, why?
>
> Matthew Bowne
> scratchin' my head in
> Breukelen, New Amsterdam
> (BKNYC)