Simano Dura Ace AX brake calipers are centerpull too. I love them.

https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7618/2...fdc6c764_o.jpgIMG_3776 by Miele Man, on Flickr

Cheers

Shimano Adamas AX brake calipers that are also centerpulls. They're similar to the Dura Ace and 600 AX calipers but not as nicely finished and with a longer reach. There was in ascending hierarchy, Adamas AX, 600 AX and Dura Ace AX.

https://c3.staticflickr.com/2/1497/2...fa26d5e0_o.jpg#1 Velo Sport with Adamas AX & Suntour Components by Miele Man, on Flickr

Cheers

Installed Kool Stop road pads on these reissue GC 610 yesterday. I think they look nice and the stopping power has increased substantially, and they're not fully bedded in. Subjectively they feel about like the cantilevers on my old touring bike. Still no squeaks.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qk...n=w630-h839-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E6...g=w630-h839-no

PS The black pearl paint is not really that sparkly in real life. The flash lights it up.

Do you find that these re-issued Dia Compe 610 require much more strength than for example simple dual-pivot calipers? Is it the installation, do they need some other type of lever (I use Tektro RL340) or do they just need to be squeezed harder?

Dual pivot breaks have more mechanical advantage than older style brakes. So yeah, the GC 610 require a bit more hand force. Overall stopping power is about the same. On the plus side, the pads don't need to be so close to the rim, which is helpful for a touring bike. If you pop a spoke you will not necessarily be stuck. Also, they are fender friendly.

All road levers have very similar MA I think. I use the TRP RRL levers, which work well.

It's possible to change the MA (mech advantage) by using a shorter yoke cable, if you prefer the easy pull of modern brakes. Rivendell sells a stop so you can make custom shorter yokes. I was going to do this, but I've decided I like them as they are.

The Kool Stop pads were definitely a big improvement though. Do that for sure.

Thanks for these recommendations. I did think of changing the yoke too, and re-purposed an yoke from Tektro canti brakes (the wider, triangular yoke), which is wider than the typical dia-compe yoke you see with classic centerpulls. It has reduced the strength with which I must squeeze the brakes. I do have Kool-stops on there already...