Guidonnet levers
04-12-11, 09:44 PM
#1
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Guidonnet levers
No I'm not talking about the Jersey shore....
I'm gathering parts for a project that I hope to be my do everything bike based off of a 74 International. I acquired a set of MAFAC Guidonnet brake levers that will look quite smashing for the "period" feel I'm going for. Is anyone running levers like this on a bike that gets a lot of miles? Or are they now more for a vintage vibe? I've grown accustomed to riding on the hoods a lot so not having hoods will be a change at first for me. Thoughts?
I'm gathering parts for a project that I hope to be my do everything bike based off of a 74 International. I acquired a set of MAFAC Guidonnet brake levers that will look quite smashing for the "period" feel I'm going for. Is anyone running levers like this on a bike that gets a lot of miles? Or are they now more for a vintage vibe? I've grown accustomed to riding on the hoods a lot so not having hoods will be a change at first for me. Thoughts?
04-13-11, 08:06 AM
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My opinion is based on one ride of about 30 miles: I put guidonnet levers on a Trek 640 I had, and I really didn't like them at all in terms of comfort. I realize that I ride holding the brake hoods 90% of the time, and with the guidonnet levers, my wrists got sore, particularly climbing. Here's a pic of my setup:
Neal
Neal
04-13-11, 08:07 AM
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Having never tried them, my opinion is worthless...that being said, I think they look way cool and would do it. If they don't work out, you can always switch them out.
04-13-11, 08:22 AM
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I ride them on this bike mounted to VO Porteur handlebars.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/reefflo...57624058389949
Mine are Dia-Compe levers. All in all, I like them they have good stopping power paired with canti brakes. There is a lot of flex and a little side-to-side play along the levers if you grab them at the ends, but I think they are sound. I've put a lot of miles on them in the year I've used them, and I've tugged hard on them for abrupt stops. No problems.
One interesting aspect to these levers is that when you mount them with porteur bars such that they slightly overlap the outside curve of the bars, you can pull them up even and even above the handlebar, giving a very wide range of movement. Handy if you let your wheels get badly out of true.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/reefflo...57624058389949
Mine are Dia-Compe levers. All in all, I like them they have good stopping power paired with canti brakes. There is a lot of flex and a little side-to-side play along the levers if you grab them at the ends, but I think they are sound. I've put a lot of miles on them in the year I've used them, and I've tugged hard on them for abrupt stops. No problems.
One interesting aspect to these levers is that when you mount them with porteur bars such that they slightly overlap the outside curve of the bars, you can pull them up even and even above the handlebar, giving a very wide range of movement. Handy if you let your wheels get badly out of true.
06-22-12, 09:38 AM
#6
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bum;ping this back up. I'm curious about Guidonnet levers - anyone else using them on their vintage rides?
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Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
06-22-12, 10:02 AM
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I use them on my commuter with VO porteur bars so it's a totally different riding style than guidonnet on drops. I like the look of guidonnets on drops, but they seem impractical (no hoods, and can't use from the drops).
Not my bike, but they look like this:
Not my bike, but they look like this:
06-22-12, 10:35 AM
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I put a set on my 50's Randonneur cuz they look right for that bike. I like them since they provide a more upright riding position. If you like riding the drops you probably won't like them.
06-22-12, 10:41 AM
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Wow, that is a NICE looking bike. I'm going to need to make that my desktop image.
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06-22-12, 02:29 PM
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the guidonnets with the dia compe knob things that replace the levers would be very cool. i know velo orange used to sell em but they ran out i guess
06-22-12, 02:30 PM
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06-22-12, 03:37 PM
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I have a set on my Viscount 3-speed fixed gear, which I ride extensively, particular in the off-season as it's set up with mudguards. N.B. guidonnets work best with randonneur-bend bars (as in nlerner's example above), where the drops flair out rather than directly below the tops. Otherwise, you can run into clearance issues when riding in the drops.
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