Center pull or side pull brakes
07-03-11, 01:38 PM
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Center pull or side pull brakes
Which is better, low end Dia Compe center pull or side pull brakes? I have both but I'm not sure what I should put on my low end Centurion Sport DLX.
07-03-11, 01:49 PM
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If the DiaCompe center pull is the 610/750 model, it'll work just fine (and in their Weinmann incarnation, they were spec'd on relatively high-end bikes). I've seen some lower-end Dia Compe sidepulls that were pretty crappy.
Neal
Neal
07-03-11, 02:09 PM
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Low end side pull brakes suck big time. You only use them because you do not have a decent brakeset. The Weinmann centerpulls are good brakes when paired with good pads.
07-03-11, 02:35 PM
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They are the 610/750 model. I'm glad to hear that they will work better than the side pulls that I have on there.
07-03-11, 03:13 PM
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The only trouble I've run into putting center pulls on a formerly side pull bike is finding proper cable stop brackets.
Both work fine but side pulls can take a bit of effort to get them set up properly.
Both work fine but side pulls can take a bit of effort to get them set up properly.
07-03-11, 03:22 PM
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I find sidepulls easier to set up. And once you position the pads, you never have to do it again, as they wear, since there's only one pivot point. The only tricky thing is getting them centered and keeping that way. And I'm good at that.
I did loaded touring on Weinmann sidepulls, and they were fine. They require more effort because their leverage is less, but I have strong fingers, so it's OK for me. They aren't amazing, though, probably because they flex a bit. I prefer Mafac centerpull brakes over both the models you mention.
They are tough to set up but worth it.
I did loaded touring on Weinmann sidepulls, and they were fine. They require more effort because their leverage is less, but I have strong fingers, so it's OK for me. They aren't amazing, though, probably because they flex a bit. I prefer Mafac centerpull brakes over both the models you mention.
They are tough to set up but worth it.
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07-03-11, 04:33 PM
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if the sidepulls have a quick release I'd probably use them as removing a wheel and putting one back on will be less stressful.
07-03-11, 05:16 PM
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Neal
07-03-11, 05:50 PM
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The correct Weinmann centerpull model number is Vainqueur 999. 610 and 750 refer to the reaches, with 610 front / 750 rear common on English and Japanese bikes. If you are dissatisfied w/ the stopping power of your vintage brakes, try replacing the pads w/ salmon Koolstops and the housings w/ modern low-compression stuff.
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07-03-11, 07:23 PM
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and if you want real stopping power, while sacrificing some of the vintage aspects, go with Tektro dual pivot side pulls - they stop like a linear pull brake.
07-03-11, 08:05 PM
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I almost always prefer sidepulls to centerpulls, but I use the old Scott pads I find on ebay.
I have some Tektros on my single speed, they work very well.
I have some Tektros on my single speed, they work very well.
07-03-11, 09:06 PM
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Can you give me an example to help my curiosity? Would you put Dia Compe 400's in that category?
07-04-11, 10:37 AM
#16
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Never used those Dia Compe's, grew up on bike boom gaspipe bikes with horrible cheap sidepulls, do not like the cheaper Weinmann roadbrakes either . The difference between DA and Record or Supreme sidepulls (especially with modern levers and pads) and the cheaper sidepull brakes is IMO much greater than the difference between cheap Weinmann centerpulls and the really nice ones like the Dia Compe 450's that was on my 81 Touring bike.
Last edited by plodderslusk; 07-04-11 at 02:08 PM.
07-04-11, 10:43 AM
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I will say that sidepulls are a bad choice for a heavily loaded bike. I managed, but I don't recommend them.
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07-04-11, 04:17 PM
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I tried the center pulls on the bike earlier today. Turns out the rear had too much reach. 610s front and rear would work. Is it bad to run a mixed brake set center/side pull?
Last edited by blue303; 07-04-11 at 04:39 PM. Reason: Info corrections.
07-04-11, 04:36 PM
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What kind of bike is this. And when do we get to see pictures?
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07-04-11, 06:06 PM
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I have a center pull brake on the front and a side pull brake on the back at the moment. It does stop better now. It should stop better once I add some alloy wheels and new brake pads. The bike is a 1983 Centurion Sport DLX that I'm making into a budget touring bike. The panniers, handlebar bag & seat bag are Cannondale. I replaced the stem shifters with a set of clamp on Suntour Power Shifters. Everything else is stock on it.
09-29-13, 10:17 PM
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Any updates? I know it's been awhile...
10-01-13, 08:02 PM
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It worked fine. I ended up selling the bike before putting on aluminum wheels.
10-02-13, 07:35 PM
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If you can find them the GB Coureur 66 centerpulls were the best brake made for a long time. More leverage than the Weinmanns, as much or more than any dual-pivot side pull I have tried. I have them on my Paramount (goes nice with the stock GB bars and stem). Despite their high power, they are also easy to feather. They also look nicer 
10-07-13, 11:36 AM
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What if I have three options? First, currently ready for cableing, Shimano 600 sidepulls. Second, MAFAC "Racer" centerpulls (really old, but working). Third, Gran-Compe sidepulls, apparently similar in every way to the 600s. I think they'd all work for my purposes, but would one stand out over the other two? Priority #1 is ease of set-up. Thanks!