Center Pull Brake Question

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07-07-05 | 10:43 AM

TheCahill

Thread Starter

Bike H4><0R

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 139

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From: McKinney Tx

Center Pull Brake Question

Hey Gents, new to the board an i got a question

Ive got a 70's ish Nishiki Sport that ive been cleaning up and Its got the old school center pull brakes on it.
The mount looks identical to the dual pivot Road Brakes you can buy today. are these interchangeable?

I ask because i cant seem to buy Center pull any more (and even if i could i would rather have better brakes hehe)

07-07-05 | 11:08 AM

sydney

Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 9,428

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCahill

You have to pay attention to buying the ones with correct reach and nutted or recessed mounting.

07-07-05 | 03:53 PM

Noah Scape

can't member

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 1,742

Likes: 13

From: Iowa City

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCahill

I ask because i cant seem to buy Center pull any more (and even if i could i would rather have better brakes hehe)

If you're changing them for better performance, save your money... center pulls brakes work just fine.

Last edited by Noah Scape; 12-02-05 at 12:11 PM.

07-07-05 | 03:59 PM

nick burns

Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 2,947

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From: Absecon, NJ

Bikes: Puch Luzern, Puch Mistral SLE, Bianchi Pista, Motobecane Grand Touring, Austro-Daimler Ultima, Legnano, Raleigh MountainTour, Cannondale SM600

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah Scape

If you're changing them for better performance, save you money... center pulls brakes work just fine.

I agree. Try out new cables, brake pads, and maybe levers & see what a difference it makes in performance.

Oh, and cleaning & relubing helps a lot, too.

07-07-05 | 06:13 PM

John E

feros ferio

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 22,397

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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us

Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;

There is nothing wrong with centerpulls, as long as you can get replacement parts, such as that two-headed straddle cable. Nick and Noah are right: you need KoolStop pads, new cables, and new housings. I still have the original Weinmann Vainqueur 999 centerpulls on my Capo and wouldn't dream of replacing them. Likewise, I have a Mafac racer in front and a Peugeot-branded Weinmann 999 in back on my UO-8, and have no complaints about braking performance.

To boost your braking leverage by about 10 percent, replace your brake handles with the modern aero type.

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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069

07-07-05 | 09:18 PM

cuda2k

Unique Vintage Steel

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 11,591

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From: Allen, TX

Bikes: Kirk Frameworks JKS-C, Serotta Nova, Gazelle AB-Frame, Fuji Team Issue, Surly Straggler

one word of warning on aero brake levers and center pull brakes, the turn of the cable from under the bar tape to the cable hanger on the top of the headset can get a bit on the tight side. With the cable flowing right down to the brake on the side pulls it can made for a bit easier of a routing situation. I believe this may be part of the reason TheCahill is asking, that and I sense a bit of upgrade fever in him.

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