scale

I was reading sheldons site and he mentioned finding upgraded levers for mafac racer style brakes. He doesnt say what is recommended as replacements.
I want to find a set of these for a classic build im doing but want to know what levers i should be in search of?

Do i want to go aero or standard non areo? Areo looks cleaner but the standard levers look a bit more fitting for the model bike im doing up.

Just curious to see what others are running.


Thanks

Oldpeddaller

I've used both aero and non aero with Racers over the years. Can't say one's definitely better than the other based on scientific fact - but I'm putting Mafac Racers on my next build and I'm looking out for a pair of Shimano or Tektro aero levers to go with them. For older bikes I don't bother with grooved handlebars, just strap the cables in nice and tight all the way round the top bends and flats with PVC insulating tape, then wrap the bar tape over the top. My view is that the direct pull and anchored cable outer casing gives the brakes more "feel" and a snappier action - more like a modern dual pivot. You can't beat Mafac racers for range of reach and 'adjustability' IMHO.

Grand Bois

Mafac levers have always worked fine for me, although I seem to have three bikes with Mafacs and none of them has Mafac levers.

wrk101

+1 I did this with my U08. I bought a set of Nashbar Aerolevers. There is a guy selling them on ebay pretty cheap. I didn't bother with the grooved bars either.

Picchio Special

I have Tektro levers on my Bleriot with Racers and they work pretty well.

dbakl

Spence Wolf in Cupertino sold Cinellis with Weinmann levers and Mafac calipers in the olden days. Seemed like a good combo, though I imagine anything would work. Campagnolo levers are sure nice! I always found the reach too great for my stubby fingers with Mafac levers.

scale

I really like the vintage look. ANy chance that somone makes a modern lever with a vintage look?

I like the look of the drilled handles. Heck i suppose if anything will work ill just get what is cheap but id like to keep the vintage look if possible.

I havent even found my racers yet. Im still hunting around.

wrk101

They show up routinely on ebay. There is a nice set on there right now. Check completed items first, and you will see how often they are for sale, and many go pretty low. The current ones for sale are at the higher end price wise.

scale

ya see they tend to go for a pretty good price if you are watching close. Thanks!

Grand Bois

You can still find Racers new in the box. I bought a set for $60 recently. I prefer the Competitions, but you can't get replacement bridge wires for them. I make my own out of cable scraps and brass tubing.

LWaB

Mr Brown believed that aero levers gave better braking than non-aero, without any evidence that I've been able to find. That doesn't match my experience. Any road brake lever pulls about the same amount of cable, pick something that fits your hands. Something period correct would be my choice.

unterhausen

I used to have some of the plastic Mafac levers back in my weight weenie days. They worked fine with my cheap dia-compe brakes, also the choice of weight weenies.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I love my Cane Creek SCR-5 levers. I used em with the velo-orange elkhide wrap on Nitto Noodle bars. There's no groove for cable routing on those bars and everything came out fine.




IMO unless you're on the bleeding edge of performance aero v non-aero makes no real difference but aesthetics.

WNG

The only consideration that wasn't mentioned is that Mafac levers came with the barrel adjusters at the top of their hoods. So, be sure to use cable anchors with barrel adjusters. The Mafac ones didn't have them.
Dia Compes are a nice substitute, even have quick releases.

scale

anyone use the Tektro r200a levers? They are a decent price. They are aero style levers.