Can anyone elaborate on the differences between the several variants of Mafac brake calipers? Do their names denote something more than mere cosmetics?


Dural Forge


Racer


Raid


Competition (early)


Competition (late)

I don't know, really, but this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafac may be of some help, perhaps.

I love the old MAFAC "Racer" brakes.

This chart may help

https://ruedatropical.com/2009/01/maf...l-brake-specs/

Cheers,
Chris

I just sold a set of the early competitions, and the arms were thicker and overall looked more well made than the run-of-the-mill racers.

The RAID model is a long reach model. I believe they have the longest reach of any MAFAC brakes. I have a set on my Lejeune tandem.

In loving old Racers, you have plenty of company hagen2456!
- But until now you were one of the few who knew MAFAC stood for Manufacture Arvernoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycles !

Thank you Chris - This is really a very helpful chart. The differences are more than cosmetic and the chart tells why!

- And the chart confirms it, CV-6. They have tremendous (80mm) reach but probably stiffer than other brands, if they are anything like the Racer & Competition.

That's good to know, jstewse, because my late Competitions have a more modern "look" and don't provide for a good visual comparison. It would make sense that the Comps were a little better since they did appear on the better bikes. (That's not to say that the Racers aren't great calipers).

I prefer the early Competitions myself. I think they're better looking than the Racers and they have brass bushings.

MAFAC is an acronym, that's why it's correctly written in all caps.

I don't have much experience with all of the models I know the Racers work great and are a far better brake than their look would leave one to believe.

Making
All
French
Accessories
Cuestionable'

:>

Love my Competitions. A very good question Auchen. I too was interested in this topic.

Become a MAFAC specialist in 2 easy lessons! Amaze your cycling friends or... that attractive girl passing by on her mixte! No French language skills required.
Disclaimer: additional toe in skills may be required.

https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...fac1-comp.html

"Dural forge" simply means "forged aluminum" ("Dural" being a trade name for an aluminum alloy) and is found on older MAFAC calipers. Later calipers had model designations on the calipers, e.g. "Racer," "Raid," "Competition," etc.

I believe Dural Forge were the earlier versions of the Racers; Competitions somewhat different, don't know Raid but there were also Tigers and...?

and "Kathy" ? never heard of that one before the Wiki link.

I've never seen a Mafac Tiger, but it would be cool to have them.

"What kind of brakes does your bike have?"

"Oh, they're Tigers!"

MAFAC Top63. really cool old brakes but expect to pay at least $500 for them.

I have MAFAC cantilevers on the frame I made in the 70's..

Brake adjustment took place in where the bosses are mounted in the first place.

I wonder if anyone could tell me how the cantilever MAFACs on classical French touring bikes perform?

I've got images of some Mafac posters, one of which has a lot of technical information on it. Can't remember where I snarfed them from.
I've uploaded them to a Flickr set, for anyone who's interested.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1317574...7628023244738/

Thanks! A very informative thread on what are quickly becoming my favorite brakes.

Those are really neat Charles. Thanks. I'm wondering if they can be viewed somehow in better definition. Can't decipher any detail of those schematics.

They're actually at pretty high resolution. Click on the image you want, then right-click on the image that appears, and choose "Original" for the size.

appropos of not very much: