Wellp, I'm finally the owner of a Competition GS. Real nice paint on the frame, but it's just a bare frame. Build is shaping up nicely, Super Record/Stronglight/Cinelli, because that's just kind of what I have right now. But... brakes. Yeah. All I seem to have is MAFAC. I'm not unopposed to Racers, or Competitions if they'll reach, but I'd really like black levers to match the SR parts. Which seems to mean Modolo.

I've heard that they don't work for squat, that they're OK, that they will stop the progress of evil itself. So before I drop any money on anything, I'm soliciting opinions.


Go.

My opinion: the Professional models are great...that is, they are as good or better than Campagnolo NR calipers, which is what they were aimed at. I think "better", but some will say that's a pretty low bar.
Anything less than "Pro" that I've had the misfortune of using have been well beneath the NR bar: Speedys, Equipe, whatever...they are just too flexy and 'cheap' feeling.
I avoid the Modolo sintered pads on all calipers.
YRMV.

The early Modolo sidepulls have some of the most flexible caliper arms out there. It's because of the very thin sectioned flat backed caliper arms that they had. Very pretty they were but also quite flawed because of the flex. They had some of the nicest looking levers though. Even the early Speedies had nice drillium levers with beautiful curves on the and high quality finish. Like noted, their sintered brake pads are not that great either, they're pretty harsh on anodized rims plus some had reported that they don't work as well as advertised in wet conditions.

Chombi

Go black Weinmann Carrera 400s and never look back.

Speaking of sintered pads, has anyone tried the sintered pads for Campy NR? I have a set, but I've never tried them.

I have a set of Speedy's with Madison pads, and like them. I don't know if they're the earlier or later model, but they stop very well.

+1 on liking the Modolo Speedys - dont like the sintered pads, but they work well with Koolstops - not a lot of flexing, they have a steady controlled braking feel- and the Modolo lever hoods are great, particularly for brakes of that era.

I am coming around on Modolos. after I got my my '88 Trofeo with... I think Start model brakes and I really worked with them I liked them. I did ditch the sintered pads though. I would buy Modolos if the price was good but if I could get Victory or a nice set of Suntour or Diacompe for the same price I may go that route.

Hmmm. I may just end up getting a set of Tektro calipers, and having some Dia-Compe levers anodized. Have you seen what these people are asking for Modolo parts on eBay?! Absurd.

My Trek 670 (85) came with Modolo Equipes and I thought they were passable, first thing I did was get rid
of the scinterized pads and put on cool-stops that helps tremendously atmo.
I have 2 models now, Professionals and Master Pros but haven't mounted them on
anything yet. Both were upgrades to NR as mentioned above.
I like all of the levers, and wouldn't hesitate to substitute them for campy levers
on any build I do.
and then there's the modolo hoods which I thought were the best on the market bar none.

Marty

I like my Modolo Pro's quite a bit , I've got the red pros on my Merckx and they stop quite well.

+1 There is really no good reason to mess with old brakes when the new ones are so cheap and work so much better.

The sintered pads suck.

Any brake has the potenial of being a good brake if its setup with proper pads that are angled correctly and with proper cables.

I have a set of Modolo Internationals on my Vitus 979 that I like alot.

Stay away from Modolo Flash. Speedy and Professional are fine.

My brother had the professionals on his bike, i loved and look and they performed great! these are the one's he had on his bike. Now they're for sale.

I concur, I bought a pair of Carrera's for my Raleigh Super Grand Prix, exceptionally side pull brakes...with Koolstop orange pads..magic. Take care

The Modolo "anatomic" lever hoods are the best, and fit Campy, Superbe, and some Gran Compe lever bodies as well.

I've seen pictures of the Campy sintered pads and the pad material look suspicioualy very much like Modolo sintered pads. I wouldn't be surprised if they actually came from the same factory. You can try them out, but maybe not expect any better performance than from Modolo sintered pads which according to most that have tried tham were not good at all.

Chombi

Like I said, Modolo sure made the nicest levers.... That looks really classy even in that dark anodized finish which is usually a challenge!

Chombi