Re: [CR]Mafac Competitions vs. Racers

(Example: Events:Eroica)

From: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@cox.net>
To: <dbilenkey@sympatico.ca>, "Classicrendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <HBECIOPCNPKEJLCJBKNKOEAPHAAA.dbilenkey@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Re: [CR]Mafac Competitions vs. Racers
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 19:11:19 -0400


The Mafac Competition brakesets always had calipers with a bronze pivot bushing whereas the Racer's had a plastic bushing (very early Racers had the bronze bushing too). Also, the Competition was available with a slotted brake bridge to offer a wider drop range, I've never seen in person nor in a Mafac catalog that the Racer's were available with such a bridge. The Competiton has an impossible to find straddle cable. Finish was the same on both, polished alloy. Lastly, the Racer's and Competition's had different drop ranges with the Competition's being a smaller overall range.

Racer w/small stirrup (bridge) 48.5 - 63 Racer w/large stirrup 53.5 - 68 Competiton w/small stirrup 43 - 53 Competition w/large stirrup 48 - 58 Competition w/adjustable/slotted stirrup 50 - 65

Mafac Competiton's are my favorite brake of all time - really!

I hope that is helpful,

Eric Elman Somers, CT glad to contribute an answer to the list instead of just asking a question for a change!


----- Original Message -----
From: David Bilenkey
To: Classicrendezvous
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 5:52 PM
Subject: [CR]Mafac Competitions vs. Racers



> Realistically, what are the differences/advantages of the Competitions over
> the Racers? Is it more a fit/finish issue or are the Competitions a 'better'
> brake set? Thoughts you'd care to share?
>
> Thanks for any insights,
>
> David Bilenkey
> Ottawa, Ontario, Canada