Originally Posted by
divineAndbright
Center pull brakes are known to have a bit better braking power, though arent as easy or at least quick to set up compared to the sidepulls. All the real race bikes used sidepulls however with the exception of peugeot, at least till they switched to sidepulls anyways. Did campagnolo even make centerpulls? Think the ititalian bikes with centerpulls used universals.
downtubes vs bar ends.. well what do you prefer, thats all there is to that question. Downtube shifters are a few ounces lighter if thats worth anything to you. I'd be happy to take your bar end shifters off your hands however if you like the downtube shifting.
1. Depends on the vintage of the race bike. There was a time that centerpull brakes were widely accepted in the peleton. Several varieties seem to have been used, although in my pictures it seems like the MAFACs were very common.
2. No. Campagnolo did not make centerpulls, although early Dura Ace did.
3. Fausto sometimes used bar end shifters (or sometimes, one bar end and one downtube). That makes 'em good.