I did it, knowingly and with malice aforethought. I knew it was sinful and did it anyway.

What did I do? I took the pre-CPSC standard-reach Campy NR brakes off my 1978 Eisentraut and replaced them with Tektro 559's. I know, Pastor Bob, I have crossed into flagrant heresy.

The NRs were on in the first place because the frame will not accommodate short-reach recessed-bolt brakes, so Campy dual-pivots were not an option twice over. Used with the Campy ergo levers (better mechanical advantage) and using Matthauser brake pads inserted in the stock NR block holders, they worked reasonably well. I had to pull harder to get reasonably similar stopping power as the dual-pivots, but I could live with that.

Then, my hand strength and my wrists started going to hell in a hand basket. (Long story not worth telling). Not horrible, but enough to affect my ability to get enough braking power out of Ye Olde Campy Brakes to feel safe in my fairly hilly part of the world, especially since I now have a hard time getting into the hooks enough to really pull the brake levers. So I broke down and got some 559's.

They work absolutely great. They can be had with old-fashioned non-recessed bolts. They are well designed. I can get all the braking power I want and need from the hoods. Madonna del Ghilsallo help me, I like them. A lot.

So, Pastor Bob, is there any hope for my immoral -- I mean, immortal -- soul? Is there any combination of "Hail Tullios" or "Stations of Vicenza" I can do to save myself?

I commit this sin with glee!

My 1959 Hilton Wrigley and my 1963 Hetchins both have Tektro 559 brakes. Why? Because they actually work.

I have faith that I shall be judged with mercy.

Amen.

I am not the Pastor, but I have played one on TV. I beg you to at least keep the Campys in a safe place so that they might be restored to their rightful place in time.

Nay. Seek absolution ye sinner and dispatch the offensive and ill-suited hardware to my catacombs for proper disposal.
I promise you…you'll never see them again, thus reducing the temptation to re-install them. And remember..

..if you don't sin, Jesus died for nothing.

If I were you I'd be more worried about the Wrath of St. Tullio than the wrath of Pastor Bob. I speak from experience.

I'm pretty sure Dawkins is okay with you evolving your bike to adapt to it's new environment

When you mentioned "sin" and Pastor Bob, I figured you tore apart some real special freewheel then messed it up while reassembling or something!

i have those on my mid-'70's Motobecane Grand Jubile, and I've managed to stay out of purgatory thus far.

Sorry about the delay. I'm traveling and not on C&V much. All sins are forgiven. It's Easter season.

.
....Tektro makes and sells some damned good brakes.

Done.


Thank you. I feel much better.


Yes, they do. On the Eisentraut, the 559s are fantastic. A serious performance upgrade.

I put some 539's on a nice old Holdworth Mistral. Hope I'll be OK in the "everafter"

True dat!

Yes, indeed. Eduardo Bianchi has never minded that I put Tektros on my Brava. But the Campy Gran Sports on the Masi are no slouch either.