I've spent alot of time over the last few months, riding a wide assortment of classic bikes on fairly long (24 mile), varied rides and I've put some time into comparing various sidepull brakes. I actually started thinking about it after reading a short review of the Suntour Superbe Pro brake (which I'm assuming means the rare internal spring model) presented as the final 'best' product in the sidepull evolution.

Here's some competition and what I think of each. Please add your experience and extend the last!:

Dia Compe Suntour BRS EDGE, external springs (they made an internally sprung version of this I haven't tried): May be the strongest sidepull ever made, but there isn't _any_ mdulation to speak of. If you're careful enough not to throw yourself over the bars, these will stop you faster than almost any other brake. A version of this brake is still available and is one of the weightweenie classics, for the poorer. Not so good looking and finished plainly.

Royal Gran Compe 400 (Suntour Cyclone/Sprint/older Superbe clone): A really excellent balance of power vs. modulation, with a nod towards the modulation side of things. Stops very, very well but doesn't have as strong a 'panic mode' as some of the others. A great improvement though, over Campagnolo Super Record, its main competition of the day. Beautifully finished.

Shimano Dura Ace 7401 (Non-SLR) - An almost perfect brake and my vote for best sidepull I've ever ridden. Has great modulation and is very predictable because of it. Also has real power in 'panic' mode stops. Beautifully finished in a way that transcends most every other, save the Campagnolo Chorus Aero's which are polished to another level above these.

Shimano 600 6200 series (Non SLR) - Perform almost identically to the Royal Gran Compe brakes and look a bit like them too. These are finished well and are a great choice if you're looking for something that works really well, looks pretty and doesn't cost an arm/leg combo. The Royal Gran Compe's though, are finished a touch better IMO. Unfortunately named and logo'd, just like their replacement - Ultegra. What is it about Shimano names in the mid/high-line?

Campagnolo Super Record (Second-to-last, still with rounded nut version) - This brake is great looking and works almost fine but I really am not a fan. The next version (with the script lettering and the aero bolts the 'Cobalto' and the '50th Anni' are made of this script-etched one) is a good bit better but, IMO, these dont stop as much as modulate and have lousy panic abilities. I get scared riding them at-speed in Manhattan.

Campagnolo Chorus Aero and Athena Aero - These two versions seem to be almost exactly the same brake (the Chorus has a split follower arm and the Athena a top seated one), they certainly feel identical to me. These are really lovingly polished and provided that you like the shape, are some of the prettiest sidepulls ever made. They're very stiff, with really tight springs and a great lever feel that makes them modulate very, very well. They do also perform very well in panic stops but take more lever pull to get to it, and the assembly is 'hard-sprung' so some good hand force is required as well. I like these second-best of the 90's brakes I've tried even though they only look really right on post-80's frames. I actually like the look and design of the less pricey Athena version better.

Dia Compe AG 500 - These are the cheaper version of the 'Aero-G' brake which I haven't tried. These are some of the worst brakes I've ever ridden and are certainly the worst mid-range brake I've tried. Poorly finished too.

Galli - A real surprise, considering their status when I was growing up. Much better than Super Record and almost as good as the Royal Gran Compe's. If they were a little stiffer, they'ld be truly great. As they are, they're just excellent. Finished in a very 'old-school' compatible deep shine with simple graphics and a 60's-esque quick release. My favorite for a truly vintage ride.

Mavic Aero - These are from Mavic's 'Starfish' 7-speed index group, right after the SSC's and are/were apparently made by Modolo (Modolo offered an identical design). Excellent stiffness and a really strong spring make these feel very much like the Campagnolo Aeros in light use but the difference is in panic stopping where these fall short. It could just be the brake pads though as these certainly feel, and look, up to the task. Well finished and very interesting looking, they're a good choice but their rarity makes them too pricey for me in terms of what you get. I'd choose the Chorus/Athena over these without question, unless of course, I was looking for that special Mavic 'personality'. In which case I'd match them with the unbearably cool SSC Lego block rear derailleur and stare at the resulting beauty for a few hours....

Danny