Corsa Record.

I like it! I just use (used) dikes... but they’re never sharp enough.. definitely going to have to try the dremel

Early "3" pivot (2nd gen?); and 5 pivot; I do not know the specific generation of either.

Delta Brake "Lock-up", Dirt Intrusion
 

[QUOTE IMO the hardest issue is getting the pads close to the rims (hoping your rims are TRUE!! because the design flaw of the Gen 2 & 3 is that if the pads have to travel too far until they reach the rim then there is the possibility of the parallelogram inverting and creating an inverted 'V'. If this happens the brakes will lock up and you'll have a devil of the time trying to "unlock' it. I've never had this happen other than reading about it and "fooling" around with them on the repair stand. Gen 4 & 5 resolved this issue with the 5 pivot bolt design[/QUOTE]

To prevent dirt, etc. from entering the unit I have taken some foam rubber and installed it internally, it's not perfect, but does prevent the majority of debris from entering and makes cleaning much quicker; usually just very fine dust enters. As yet, this has not affected function.

I had not heard of the brakes potentially "locking-up" so I experimented on my early "3" pivot unit and I could not duplicate anything close to that condition. I don't know if this can happen to loose/worn assemblies, my "scissoring" mechanism is tight without any undue play; but regardless, it is impossible on my set because the lower "scissor" impacts the upper "scissor" not allowing it to achieve an "inverted V". I believe my set is a Gen.2, so I'm curious as to how this would happen on later versions.

+1

That is also how I adjust my Delta's.
When setup correct, they stop as good as other brakes.

I vote for a couple more pics of this one.

Mic drop?

its a bit hard adjusting brake pad clearance to a specific rim that way, especially if one is too lazy to remove the tire.

Back from the dead!

Found this thread while researching if anyone is using Kool Stop pads for their Delta Brakes. Needless to say I found this thread pretty amusing to say the least.

All I can say is that the one on my Lemond seem to work just fine with what I expect is the original pads. I really can't complain about how they have been working for me. I'm looking for new pads just because of the suspected age of the ones I have.

I'm pretty sure the kid at the LBS that set mine up had never seen them before but I did provide instructions. Either he got lucky or that aren't the "terror" to setup that so many think.

I get those that may think they're ugly even if I don't agree. But those that say they don't work seem to be wrong based on my experience. And I don't even have the new and better 5 pivot ones.

Anyway, this zombie thread was too good not to revive. :-)

Maybe it's about time a new thread from the truly dark side of Delta style brakes is started.....
A thread all about Modolo Kronos Brakeset......:rolleyes:

yes, I was intrigued by that advert, but never enough to order one. Power Brake with a brand name in front. I finally saw one. It could have been a contender if of better materials and lighter.

with the super limber “control” levers

If you're going to bring up other brands.....I really wish that I had bought a pair of McMahon's back in the day.

VeloBase.com - Component: McMahon Racing Corp

They are very beautiful outside the bike.

i use the black Kool Stop, and they work fine. I have gen 3 deltas and never had a problem or issue with them

Given the parallellogram, my guess is that the latersl force from the parallellogram or rhombus is max when the angles are 90 degrees. That sounds like a difficult setup, if my guess is right.

If they are so junky, I'd offer $75 for a mint complete set - help you with your cleanup tasks. I'll take one of those junky sets of C-record hubs, too

I did my fastest 40 miler of the past two years on the Lemond that has these. Somehow I did survive despite a couple of incidents that caused me to hit the brakes hard. My pads do seem pretty hard though so I'm thinking I'll play it safe to get in some new Kool Stops. Thanks for the confirmation.

For me, it's a matter of comparison. I have the most modern braking setups (to include disc on some) and the vintage brakes are "in your face" inferior in every regard. The modern rim brakes are really, really good for example.

I ran some Deltas a few years ago, and they were ok for around town stuff, but once I actually hit the mountains and actually HAD to stop, it was bad. Granted, just about every vintage brake setup leaves a lot to be desired by today's standards, some remain ok. I would never class any iteration of the Delta in the "good brakes" category.