Re: [CR]opinions on quality of Universal Super 68 brakeset

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2004)

In-Reply-To: <76.bd5d7e3.285e56f4@aol.com>
References: <76.bd5d7e3.285e56f4@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 15:29:37 -0400
To: Huemax@aol.com, jac33@tempter.arts.cornell.edu, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Sheldon Brown" <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]opinions on quality of Universal Super 68 brakeset


KEN TODA wrote:
>I have 2 sets in my collction, one set with Windsor Pro, and the other with
>Super Mondia. They looks great, and I like the quick release mechanism. The
>are lighter than Campy or Shimano.
>
>But, some reason, (maybe pads are responsible), I feel DO NOT have very much
>power to stop or slow down. If you look the main pivots and arms, (power
>distributions, geometry/vectors?), the arms for leverage ARE SHORTER than
>Campy's.

I' blame the levers. The old Universal levers are a good news/bad news item. The good news is that they're very, very light, possibly the lightest ever.

The bad news is that they don't have much mechanical advantage, so you need a lot of finger strength to stop. They're even worse than old Campag levers in this regard.

Further bad news is that they are rather fragile...the adjuster assembly can easily be knocked off the top of the hood.

If you get a pair of the nice $40 Shimano aero levers (there's _nothing_ better) your Universal calipers will give great results, but you'll have to rig up some sort of inline adjusters for the cables.

Sheldon "Used To Like These" Brown Newtonville, Massachustts +-----------------------------------------+ | A ship in the harbor is safe, but | | that is not what ships are built for. | | --John A. Shedd | +-----------------------------------------+
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