I have an upcoming special build that requires a normal, center mount centerpull brakeset. I could go with tried and true MAFAC Competitions or Gran Compe but I sort of want something unique.

Help me choose between brakes:

CLB 2


CLB 1:


Weinmann solid straddle:


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What's the time period of the bike? If it's '70s or earlier, I like the Weinmanns. Esp. if it's French, British, etc. The CLBs would be more appropriate to '80s, to my (mostly untrained) eye.

Those Weinmanns look interesting, which model are they?

Weinmann would be my choice.

On Velobase they are referred to as model "737". Not sure how accurate that is.

As far as the frame, it's actually a late 90s bike, a fillet-brazed Jean Paul Routens. The frame and fork are Columbus, probably one of the Nivacrom tubesets. Notably the fork is a fillet-brazed unicrown.

The CLB 2s look space age cool; I'd use them on the Routens.

CLB2s are self energizing and therefore different from most center pulls. Whether or not this is a good thing may vary on rider preferences.

I have several sets of those Weinmanns and like them a lot. Problem for me is that the reach is fairly short, but hopefully that’ll work for you.

^^^^ +1 CLB2s for that frame.

Show us the matching levers, too.

My vote is for the CLB2 calipers

Whichever you bolt on, that thing will be wild. What are you thinking for derailleurs?

At first glance I thought they were like the 610s, but at second glance, they do look shorter. Other than the look, can't see how they would work differently from typical Weinmanns. Been thinking about it and I've tentatively concluded that all Weinmann brakes with the same pivot points, straddle cable, and geometry above the pivot points will work the same for any effective arm length. That is, a 610 and 750 will work the same on a given bike (brake bridge and wheel diameter).

If I wanted a real distinctive and uncommon brakeset on a very special build, I might opt for a real high quality (or NOS) set of those MAFAC Competition 2000s in gold with matching levers. Kind of "Pricey", depending on the current value of the variable "Pricey". "Pricey", if the project is a gaspipe Falcon with stamped dropouts and a derailleur claw may not be the same as "Pricey" if it's something "Extraordinary". But then we have to eveluate the current value of the variable "Extraordinary". I've long liked the looks of the gold MAFACS but have never owned a bike that I thought desrved them. Putting those on one of my bikes would be like putting C Record on a Schwinn Suburban -- assuming that C Record came with an Ashtabula crank.

Speaking of Suburbans, I've seen ads for them in the hundreds. Oh Lord, the price of electroforged goodness.

All nice choices, but the CLB 2’s get my vote. Kuromori , what does it mean that these are self-energizing?

Beautiful frame, can’t wait to see it built!

The pivots are at a 45 deg angle so that the rotational forces of the rim contribute to the braking force as the pads make contact.

CLB 2 gets my vote. Not sure of compatibility, but would try CLB aero brake levers.

On a French bike, French brakes! Aesthetically, I'd say CLB2.

The CLB2 centre bolts were somewhat short so make sure they'll fit your fork before committing money to it.

CLB 2s if you plan on a super-ultra-mega-lightning modern build. If you plan on a twine and T.A. crank build, the Weinmanns would better fit.

Based solely on looks - for that frame, I'd vote the CLBs.

CLB 2, just because they're so cool.