Classic & Vintage - Is the era of beautiful center pulls over?

Ok, So I love shiny beautiful things, and all the aerodynamic centerpulls on this page definately rock my socks!!!!

http://bikieray.im-rc.com/content_gallery.html

Does anyone reproduce these. I have relatively good luck with my older 70's ugly dura ace non ax brakes but these things are absolutely beautiful! My guess is that no-one produces anything like this, and I'm betting brakes like this sell for a lot of money vintage :(! Super cool, I know everyone like to hate on centerpulls, but you can't hate on beautiful centerpuls like these...

None of those are officially centerpulls in terms of internal operation.

-Kurt

Those Shimanos look like Borg techology.

None of those are officially centerpulls in terms of internal operation.

-Kurt

Kurt,

I've got to disagree on this one. I'm not sure about the mech's on any of the other five but the Campagnolo Deltas are an internal dual scissor centerpull and work so similarly to an external pull version that I believe they qualify as the genuine article.

Danny

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, I guess. I'm a classic road bike lover, but even when these were the brand new fashion of the day, I hated those Delta-type brakes. They are downright ugly. But I certainly do love the real centrepulls from before that era.

I like the Dura Ace AX versions and have a pair of the 600 AX brakes which I like... the other's don't thrill me too much.

I like these Dura Ace centre pulls even better.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/73Carltondace.jpg

Those Modolo centrepulls are the ugliest things I've ever seen.

Not vintage but I'm using Paul center pull touring cantis on my bamboo bike. I like the way the look and they work great.

http://awcg.com/Allen/Bicycle/X1/Front.jpg

I like the Dura Ace AX versions and have a pair of the 600 AX brakes which I like... the other's don't thrill me too much.

I like these Dura Ace centre pulls even better.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/73Carltondace.jpg

Those Dura Ace centerpulls later got demoted all the way down to Tourney level. Put one next to a Weinmann 610 and I think you'll agree that it's a direct copy. I have a set with the Tourney name on them that I'm planning to put on my Raleigh Competition.

Here are my favorite centerpulls: Weinmann models with steel hangers (which gets rid of the slop of wire straddle cables):

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/WeinmannBrake.jpg

Neal

Those Dura Ace centerpulls later got demoted all the way down to Tourney level. Put one next to a Weinmann 610 and I think you'll agree that it's a direct copy. I have a set with the Tourney name on them that I'm planning to put on my Raleigh Competition.


I got a pair of those.. I only use the front one, but they are not as sexy as the ones on that page (if you need the rear we could work something out ;)) ... But yes beauty is in the eye of the beholder.. Well if you ever come across a pair of those "ugly" brakes send a pair my way. Also... If there not centerpulls what are they?

I've got to disagree on this one. I'm not sure about the mech's on any of the other five but the Campagnolo Deltas are an internal dual scissor centerpull and work so similarly to an external pull version that I believe they qualify as the genuine article.

That so? Thought most of the ones on that page were operated similar to the Dura-Ace AX's and the Weinmann's, with a fixed cam pivoting the arms against each other, rather then the cable pulling directly on the arm itself.

-Kurt

Here are my favorite centerpulls: Weinmann models with steel hangers (which gets rid of the slop of wire straddle cables):

Let me know if you happen to find yourself with any spares you wish to part with.

-Kurt

What about the "new" Paul Components?

http://dirtragmag.com/images/129_paul_300x200.jpg

That so? Thought most of the ones on that page were operated similar to the Dura-Ace AX's and the Weinmann's, with a fixed cam pivoting the arms against each other, rather then the cable pulling directly on the arm itself.

-Kurt

It is a cam follower action on the Deltas and that makes them more akin to the rollercam designs than a straight arm/cable action pivot. I'll argue though, that a rollercam is also a centerpull and that the basic dsign is a _very old one.

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/images/road/unk_uk.jpg

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/images/road/jeay.2.jpg

Danny

BTW, I think you'll all find this page an extraordinary one (You are reading this thread....):

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/

By any chance do SunTour Rollercam calipers qualify as centerpulls? They are not canti-levers nor U-Brakes.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/SnowCycleRearRollerCam.jpg

The new Specialized Transition TT bike uses centerpulls. They're more aero, especially hidden behind the bottom bracket. This picture isn't out of place here, is it? ;)

http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/images/prod_3433.jpg

BTW, I think you'll all find this page an extraordinary one (You are reading this thread....):

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/

Interesting. Curiously, has anyone ever had experience with the Weinmann HP Turbo calipers? One of the LBS's has a half-dozen of them - always been rather curious as to whether they'd work well or not.

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/images/road/weinmann_hpturbo2.jpg

-Kurt

This one makes my head hurt:

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/images/road/lefol.jpg

Interesting. Curiously, has anyone ever had experience with the Weinmann HP Turbo calipers? One of the LBS's has a half-dozen of them - always been rather curious as to whether they'd work well or not.

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/brake_obscura/images/road/weinmann_hpturbo2.jpg

-Kurt

Wow. That competes with some of the deltas as Ugliest Brake Mechanism of the Biennium (UBMB).

Interesting. Curiously, has anyone ever had experience with the Weinmann HP Turbo calipers? One of the LBS's has a half-dozen of them - always been rather curious as to whether they'd work well or not.


-Kurt

I'll be the guinea pig on that one if you like (and the brakes don't cost a small fortune). I just bought a set of Pederson self actuators that are of the original, non Suntour badged design if only because I've never seen a set before and I've read such wicked things about them. That and these are NOS.

From what I can remember offhand, I've read that those Weinmann's suffer the same sort of progressive 'over the h'bar in light braking' thing that the Pederson's are reknowned for. For the life of me though, I can't remember where I was reading that.

Danny

Who makes the brakes on that Specialized tri bike and are they available aftermarket?

Dnny

Tis truly in the eye of the beholder!
I never liked the look of the brake bridges.
The first thing I replaced on my Nishiki Pro was the Dia Compe centerpulls and replaced them with the 1st gen DA sidepulls (you know, the ones with the drilled out levers and gum hoods.:D)

Sidepulls brakes and tubular wheels on a classic 10 speed makes the look for me!

I got a pair of those.. I only use the front one, but they are not as sexy as the ones on that page (if you need the rear we could work something out ;)) ... But yes beauty is in the eye of the beholder.. Well if you ever come across a pair of those "ugly" brakes send a pair my way. Also... If there not centerpulls what are they?

You quoted me, but you don't seem to be responding to to anything I said. Did you click "reply with quote" on the wrong post?

I'd run canti's before any of the chunks of funk in the link in the first post.

The new Specialized Transition TT bike uses centerpulls. They're more aero, especially hidden behind the bottom bracket. This picture isn't out of place here, is it? ;)

That's going to give me nightmares.:(

I think centerpulls died a deserved death about 1969, when Campagnolo brought out their sidepulls...

I'd run canti's before any of the chunks of funk in the link in the first post.

Gosh. Until now, I'd thought that a chunk of funk was a good thing. :p

Question for you folks, is there a store online that sells this stuff as NOS? (Not ebay?)

I think centerpulls died a deserved death about 1969, when Campagnolo brought out their sidepulls...

Early campy sidepulls were quiet, pretty, filled the holes in the fork and seatstay bridge, and did everything they were meant to do.....except stop the bike.
Top

Question for you folks, is there a store online that sells this stuff as NOS? (Not ebay?)

Try Velo-Orange.com and bicycleclassics.com

Danny

I think centerpulls died a deserved death about 1969, when Campagnolo brought out their sidepulls...

Dunno... I only run one brake on my fixed Peugeot and it's a Weinmann centre pull. It's not exotic but it is hellishly strong and it will bring me down from 50 plus kmh in a hurry all by itself.

I don't recall whether the bike was a production fabrication or a one-off custom TT bike, but I fairly recently saw detailed photos of a CF frame & fork with some sort of what were described as center-pull calipers actually set into the fork blades in the front and between the chainstay... uh... "fairings"? (which is to say, the extremely widened monocoque stays (more like wings) which tapered down from behind the seatpost/BB area). The front brake cables were of course entirely routed internally somehow through the steering tube, so that only minimal sections of the brake pads were seen beside the front rim, while the rest of the calipers were entirely concealed within recesses in the fork blades. A really amazing design. Maximum aerodynamics naturally, but it seemed a great idea for even a futuristic touring bike - since EVERYTHING possible would be protected from the elements.

I like the look of the Campy delta's.

I'd run canti's before any of the chunks of funk in the link in the first post.

Don Diego,
Send me any of those 'chunks of funk (junk?) that you happen to have. I really like the
look of the deltas. The last set of Modolo Kronos I saw sold way north of $300 (and higher for
NOS) just know they do not stop bikes at all, and are prone to cracking.
My Croce Deltas stop just fine thank you. It's all in the setup.

I think the covers look stunning when polished, these are
record deltas from Campy Only:

http://www.paulappleyard.co.uk/Polished_Delta_02.jpg
photo courtesy of campy only
Marty

That's not a Croce D'Aune brake. Looks like a last generation, 5 pivot Record.

Danny

Yea my Croce Deltas work great, as stated above, it is all in the setup. I think they're the nicest looking brakes around. I do have a single speed conversion as well so I'm sure some of you may disagree with my tastes.

That's not a Croce D'Aune brake. Looks like a last generation, 5 pivot Record.

Danny

Nope, sorry for the confusion.
Those are not my brakes, nor are the Croce.
I'll fix original post.

marty

...but it seemed a great idea for even a futuristic touring bike - since EVERYTHING possible would be protected from the elements.

How can it be, if the pads must pop out of the blades in one form or another to contact the rim? Not only will you then trap crud into the open gap, I can just imagine one attempting to purchase replacement pads while stuck in some hole in the wall town with a single, understocked bike shop.

-Kurt

Don Diego,
Send me any of those 'chunks of funk (junk?) that you happen to have. I really like the
look of the deltas. ...

Don Diego is a man of modest means. Surely, if he had any of the pictured brake calipers, he would sell them on e-Bay and use the proceeds to drive the Alcalde from these parts.

You quoted me, but you don't seem to be responding to to anything I said. Did you click "reply with quote" on the wrong post?


I thought the quote would include the picture of the shimano dura ace 70's brakes that you posted...it didn't don't know why... is there a quote with picture somewhere???

The new Specialized Transition TT bike uses centerpulls. They're more aero, especially hidden behind the bottom bracket. This picture isn't out of place here, is it? ;)

http://shop.devercycles.co.uk/images/prod_3433.jpg


These probably don't have the reach (front only is all I use) but can you purchase them in the market and what's the going rate? Just curious... I wish they made knock offs :) Obviously I don't drive too fast :)

Here are my favorite centerpulls: Weinmann models with steel hangers (which gets rid of the slop of wire straddle cables):

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/WeinmannBrake.jpg

Neal

I got these on my Dawes Galaxy, I think they are a bit flexy and I don't like them that much, but they do their job, and well most of the time

In my limited searching, the Specialized Transition brakes are available only on the Specialized frames, not as aftermarket parts. If you really really really want some, I would suggest you

a.) mug Paolo Bettini next time you see him time trialling. He's pretty small, you can take him.

b.) buy a transition frame module (3k USD), remove the brakes, and sell the frame on ebay, likely at a loss.

Neither option seems particularly palatable to me. ;)