> Jerry Moos wrote:
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> I agree that the Victory/Triomphe levers were not identical to NR/SR. I believe they had different markings. But by "essentially the same as NR/SR", I meant these brakesets had the same design, shape, materials and operation as NR/SR, except for the QR on the calipers as I noted. I'm a little confused about Cobalto hoods, however. Were these aero hoods with no hole for the old non-aero cable routing? I've bought from an eBay "store" what were stated to be Cobalto hoods. These are white and look exactly like the hoods pictured. They appear to be the same shape as NR/SR/Victory/Triomphe. Either these are not in fact Cobalto hoods, or I am missing something as to the distinction between Cobalto and earlier hoods.
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The hoods you bought are probably the ones that sparked the recent string about reproductions. True Cobalto hoods were, like the levers, set up for either "aero" or standard cable routing. They had holes in the top for standard cable routing. These could be filled with little white plugs that could be inserted for aero or removed for conventional cable routing. They are not the same as hoods for the NR/SR/Gran Sport/Victory/Triomphe levers, and are not interchangeable with hoods for those levers, which are mutually interchangeable among themselves (Parts forom those brake lever sets are interchangeable, even though the lever "blades," and probably other parts, don't all have the same markings). The Cobalto brake lever bodies (or whatever they're called, the things that actually clamp to the handlebar, that the hoods cover up almost completely) were wider, apparently to accommodate the "aero" cable routing before it emerged from the body to hide under the bar tape. The brake hoods had to be wder, too, to fit the bodies. Every once in a while, I see Cobalto hoods on eBay. They usually go for about $25.00. I bought a pair for a present for my brother about 2 years ago. He still hasn't changed out the old torn hoods on his very nice Dave Moulton bike. (OT content warning. Continue with caution) I have Triomphe levers on my daily-rider PX-10 hot rod, and on my Austro Daimler winter bike. They are much more comfortable under my fingers than the Victory levers that I formerly used with the Victory brakes on the daily rider. After I put Triomphe levers (not "drilled")on the winter bike, I realized that the Victory levers ("drilled") felt harsh to my fingers by comparison. Not really painful, just harsh and uncomfortable. When the opportunity arose to buy some Triomphe levers, just the blades (Thanks, BC), I jumped. I ain't looked back. Now, I don't think I could even find the Victory levers in my modest pile of bike stuff. I may even have recycled them ( not too likely). --- David Faulkner in Sacramento where the Victory brakes now on my PX-10 are the best stoppers it's ever had, especially with those comfy Triomphe levers