[CR]upgrading Campy NR brake performance / [CR] tubulars today

(Example: Framebuilders:Cecil Behringer)

From: "R.S. Broderick" <rsb000@hotmail.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]upgrading Campy NR brake performance / [CR] tubulars today
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 14:46:29 -0600


I thoroughly agree with Don Gillies with respect to selective replacement of compontry on those vintage bikes that are ridden with some degree of regularity. As for myself, I swap out the early Campy Record brake pads for black Kool Stop versions which are visually quite similar to the originals (...Campy Replacement Pad - part number KS-CR, and yes, these fit your vintage Campagnolo holders perfectly), the period correct 1.8 mm brake cables and housing for contemporary 1.6 mm stainless cables with Teflon housing, and ANY vintage tubular or clincher for Tufo tubular or tubular clincher versions. On the tire front, if one seeks an all black version, then I would suggest perhaps the Tufo Jet Special or S-33 Special (...tubular) or their C Jet Special or CS-33 Special (...tubular clincher) as being worthy candidates for non-racing / regular riding duty (...19 mm for the Jet models, 21 mm for the Special, and 120 TPI casings with 115 to 175 psi rating for all models). On the other hand, should you desire a classic gum wall look, then I would suggest either the Tufo S-33 (...tubular) or CS-33 (...tubular clincher) versions (...21 mm, 60 TPI casings, and 115 to 175 psi rating) again for normative riding applications. In my own opinion, all of the aforementioned Tufo models combine an aesthetic which reasonably approximates that of a vintage tire along with the latest developments in modern technology. Now, whenever I want to set my bike back to a "period correct" original state, it is very easy to re-affix suitably vintage brake pads, cables and housings, and road rubber. I am just too spoiled after having ridden many a mile on more contemporary equipment that falls well outside the CR List timeline to needlessly suffer a compromise in safety when indulging my passion for a vintage velo fix.

Robert "Safety Fast and Safety First" Broderick

..the "Frozen Flatlands" of South Dakota

P.S. And as for Mike Wilkenson's question regarding the use of rim tape in conjunction with Tufo tubular clinchers, the answer is no, you do not need to use rim tape for your contemplated application.

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Along with "Period Correct" goes "Period Terrifying". Isn't that part of the vintage bicycle experience? There is virtually no difference between mathauser and koolstop; koolstop manufactured the pads sold by mathauser.

I and several people on this list draw the line at safety items like brake pads, cables, tire rubber, etc., and upgrade (on riders) to the finest stuff available today to extend our lives on the road (and reduce our bills in the hospital ...) I find that modern lined cables and koolstop salmon pads/holders can do wonders for vintage brake systems. They also look great on weinmann(salmon) or campy(black) brakes!

- Don Gillies

San Diego, CA