anomaly

Which offer better braking modulation and are easier pull? My girlfriend needs some new brakes for her 80's Bianchi as the Modolo's are just too hard on her hands. I am not trying to break the bank and ~$50 + shipping is about the limit of what I'm willing to spend. I know going Campy will be more "correct" given the bike uses Suntour/Campy components, but I want the best performance to price ratio.

sweetnsourbkr

Uh oh ... another Campy vs Shimano thred ....

531Aussie

I reckon my buddy's 10 speed Centaur brakes crap all over my 9 and 10sp Dura-Ace. I dunno if it's because his pads are brand new and mine are worn and dirty (as are my rim surfaces), or that his Zonda wheels are brand new, or what, but.........

anomaly

Not at all, I'm sure one is quantifiably easier to modulate than the other, that is all I am asking.

anomaly

Which are easier to modulate/squeeze?

jimbud

I have both on different bikes and would recommend the Ultegras just because they weigh a little less then the Centurs. Both a great calipers

anomaly

It's a 7 speed mid 80s bike, weight isn't really the issue...

anomaly

Anyone want to trade a set of clinchers setup for 6/7/8spd for a set of campy tubulars? :x:

fmw

I've used both. No meaningful difference for me.

531Aussie

I assume they're single-pivot calipers? If so, i think you'll find that just about all of the modern, dual-pivot brakes provide a HEAP more torque, relative to effort, than any set of old, single-pivot brakes.

cuda2k

Agreed. I love both my 06 and 07 Centaur brakes. As long as the brake lever has a quick release on it I'd go with Centaur. Otherwise, go with the Shimano.

flatlander_48

Perhaps new KoolStop brake pads would be the thing to try first, before you replace hardware.

sweetnsourbkr

Who needs brakes anyway?

anomaly

No, she literally has trouble squeezing the brake lever while on the hoods due to relatively weak hand strength. Braking power is acceptable, but the force required is something she has trouble generating.

Bantam

Not the cool hipsters on fixies.

ridethecliche

Are the new brakes compatible with the mounting on her bike? Maybe you need new brake levers, those can change the mech advantage and make it easier to modulate. This might be the cheaper option as well, and you should see if this is the case so you don't spend money for nothing.

Walter

Cuda above has the most relevant point. Modern Campy has the brake quick release built into the lever whereas Shimano has it on the caliper. If your brake levers don't have integral QR then I'd definitely say Shimano (that hurts a bit as I'm a Campy guy but things are what they are).

I use Centaur brakes on 1 bike, my wife has Chorus on hers and I retrofitted some older Records onto an 80s Italian bike (old Super Record doesn't slow you down much, never mind actually stopping). All work great but none have QRs on the brake caliper.

Waldo

If that's the case, it sounds like new or lubed cables and housing (or possibly a little tweaking of the caliper itself) are in order. There's no way they should be that difficult to pull. That's just my virtual diagnosis without seeing the bike, but I'd check out all possibilities before shelling out for new brakes.

With regard to your original question, I couldn't tell much of a difference between my older Ultegra brakes and the Centaurs I currently have. Cuda brought up a very good point on the release mechanisms, though, as that will make life easier on you for wheel/tire changes.

Hocam

Yeah most likely the housing wasn't cut properly and one of the metal spirals is rubbing the cable or the bend radii are too tight.

Surferbruce

i have centaur skeleton brakes and they work very well but overall stopping power has to go to the shimanos. the single pivot rear centaur caliper modulates and slows really well but it's certainly not the most powerful of brakes (obviously your front brake really does the stopping anyway, and i like the the feel of the single/dual pivot configuration but i still gotta give shimano calipers the edge in overall power)

vjp

I have a 1983 Bianchi Campione D' Italia with Modolo Pro's with Modolo Non-sinterized pads and like most brakes of the era they are more like speed modulators than brakes. However, before you buy new calipers and levers try replacing the pads with Kool Stop pads that are suitable for Her rims they will make a huge difference. If the brake cables are not teflon lined then replace them with new cables or lubricate them with graphite. Lastly, if you adjust the brakes so that there is a little more play than normal it might be easier for her to get a firmer pull on the lever. I don't think that there is a cam in the lever but it seems the leverage is better when there is longer pull before contact.

vjp

anomaly

I replaced the cables and housings, as well as put on some Shimano SLR levers (the old Modolo's were pretty beat up) and they are still somewhat difficult to pull.