Searched the archive and didn't find this answer. I bought a pair of Superbe brakes to replace Weinman brakes on a Gitane in 1977 (the Gitane was NOS from the early 70s). How long before 1977 were the Superbe brakes available (standard reach Superbe with exposed springs on the Superbe Pro with hidden springs).
The Weinman were not OE to the Gitane, but switching out the Mafacs was one of the ways I afforded the all 531db Gitane as a kid. Now I wish I had the Mafacs but the common thought in 1977 was they weren't up to Campag quality for stopping, so I compromised with the Superbe brakes.
Now I've recently set up the Gitane again with its original Jubilee ders, Stonglight crank, and other original stuff I'd kept, including a NOS Superbe brakeset just like the one I'd bought back then. But it's been gravitating toward period correct, and I'm wondering now whether I need to start looking for Mafacs to finish it off. However, I ride this bike a lot and I'm not any more anxious to use centerpulls now than I was as a teenager. (love seeing Mafacs though on French bikes, and understand a lot of you are happy riding them.)
Mitch Harris
Utah Co. UT