RE: [CR]Campy Gran Sport Brakes - any good ???

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 21:36:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Campy Gran Sport Brakes - any good ???
cc: avitzur@013.net

Well, i almost died when i first got my ALAN 1975 and went riding down the hill near my house - 11% grade - using campy GS brakes.

I replaced the pads with 2 different types - one set is the cheapo $1.50 dia compe generic (retro) pads, and one is a shimano M50/T pad. I think that I bought the M50/T because the dia-compe pads still weren't working well enough on this steep, steep hill. The M50/T are of course, on the front brakes only.

Some pads are softer and grippier, but have a shorter lifespan. Some pads are firmer (campy) and not as powerful, with a longer lifespan. It's important imho to adjust your brakes and rims perfectly so that just the lightest touch engages the brakes. It's not because of brake mechanical advantage, imho your hand has more mechanical advantage when you first grab the brake, than when it's almost pulled back to the handlebar.

I also ride down that same hill with Royal Gran Compe II brakes, with new pads (made of gum eraser - after my 1st ride they were 1/3rd gone!)

In my opinion, vintage sidepulls aren't quite as grippy as centerpulls, and are therefore much more difficult to set up an maintain in optimal condition. Maybe you are also suffering some withdrawal symptoms from changing over from a luxurious high performance centerpull bicycle ?? *flame off*

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA