Originally Posted by
3alarmer
...they are still popular with very, very old people, who remember them fondly as the original dual pivot rim brake.
...and eliminate the need for a bell or horn. A quick tap on the brakes, and the French-accented howling squeal will alert everyone to your presence.
I do have a pair of Racers on my fixie. And although I've adjusted toe-in and other items, I still get the legendary "Mafac sound" much of the time upon application. But they will definitely stop you, as long as the pad rubber doesn't date from the Nixon Administration.