Originally Posted by
Salubrious
However, I found that to get maximum breaking, you want the brake pads fairly far away from the rim, so you have to squeeze the brake lever a ways before you get engagement. This seems to yield greater braking power; when you think about it, its all about leverage, the most important levers being in your hands. Its easier to squeeze hard with your fingers already partially closed than when the fingers are more extended.
You might be right that hands have more leverage when half closed. I think the same is true of brake levers. Single pivot side pulls work best for me when adjusted loose, as you like them. Maybe they get a bad reputation because people don't know this.
My three speeds have original steel rims, but I have also installed CR18s on a couple of other people's three speeds. The results have been excellent. I don't remember if I relaced any of them. I know that in at least one case, I just transferred the rim, leaving the valve in the less optimal position, but really, that's not such a big deal for most people.