So if I have a Crescent bike from the 70's, the Swedish orange one with a 531 frame and non aero brake levers, and it came with centerpull brakes, would you keep those brakes or swap the calipers for sidepull Dia-Compe 500's? Why this bike has centerpull anyways I do not know as the derailleurs are Campy nuovo record.

Are your centerpulls Weinmanns? Having Weinmann Vainqueur centerpulls on a bike with NR drive train was not that uncommon, I believe. For instance, the Raleigh International was spec'd this way. Properly set up and with good pads, those centerpulls should work just fine.

The sidepulls vs centerpulls argument has been going on for decades, and I'm sure you'll find more info in the archives.

It was common for 70s racing bikes to have center pull brakes. Some people preferred them because they have more stopping power than Campy sidepulls. Being centerpulls, they are good at staying centered. Campy sidepulls have less but good enough stopping power, better fine control, and being sidepulls they can track a bent wheel if you break a spoke or whatever.

IMO either keep the centerpulls, or put on campy sidepulls. Weinmann sidepulls were not horrible or anything, but not nearly at the same level as either of those.

That was also the standard spec for Paramounts in the first half of the 70s - Campy brakes were an upgrade for which Schwinn charged what seemed like a king's ransom at the time but today would be about two days' worth of coffee and snacks. (God, I'm getting old . . . .)

I'd keep the centerpulls. Kool Stop dura 2 pads and holders work well with Weinmann cps and don't look too out of place, depending.

Well, there you have it. I'll stay with the centerpull brakes. Thank you.

Dia Compe 500s are junk. Keep the centerpulls.

Price. In 1971, Schwinn Paramount P-13's sold for $350 with Weinmann center pulls. Campy side pulls were a $50 option, a 14% price increase.

Centerpulls.

+1

With the advent of warm weather I've been working to thin my herd of flippers, rather than build up bikes for myself. However I find it ironic that I am replacing a set of Dura Ace side pulls and levers on my 1974 International and using a set of Weinmann's probably sourced from a destined for scrap early 1970's Schwinn Continental.

I think the Crescent in my waiting to be bar wrapped queue actually has Mafac Racers.

Good choice, keeping the centerpulls should be for the best. I had a '74 Raleigh International, as mentioned above, it was equipped with a Nuovo Record group set, except the brake calipers, and as said, it had the Vainqueurs. They worked fantastically, but being a 23 Y.O. that had to have the "Look", I got a set of Superbe side pulls. Problem was, they just barely had enough reach for the rims, (a set of sew ups with NR hubs, high flange,) they worked okay, but I now know that I most likely gave up some good strong braking power for aesthetics.

Perhaps styggo can address why Crescent went with the centerpulls over the side pull Campagnlo brakes.

Bill

Lol. Seriously.

Stock brakes for top Crescent Pepita Special should have been Campagnolo Record.

If you're going to replace your stock brakes, you can do MUCH better than Dia Compe 500's.

I own a bike that came stock with centerpulls and a bike that came with Dia Compe 500's. The bike with centerpulls still has its original brakes and they work fine. The 500's braked horribly, though, even with new pads. They had to go.

I'd take Weinmann centerpulls over anything but excellent side pulls like Campagnolo Nuovo Record brakes.

Cheap sidepulls suck.

This is how my Paramount is set up. Zero complaints, no reason to explore other options.