Dan Artley wrote to praise the Bicycle Quarterly issue on brakes, and I'd agree with him on most things. So, I'll <snip> those parts...and comment on a couple of places where I don't think we completely agree.
<snip>
Dan: The Campy sidepull basically enhanced one of the greatest racing or fairly close ratio brakes of all time, the lowly Weinman 500 sidepull which I believe works every bit as well. I think it preceded the Campagnolo sidepulls. The flats on the Campy's centerbolt allowed a cone wrench to center the caliper easily, and took two 'Y' wrenches on the 500 to do the same thing. Through the years Weinman offered different barrel adjusters, quick releases, the ability to reverse the housing direction (say for ladies frames), <snip>
Harvey: Lots of nice brakes preceeded the Campy. In addition to the "don't get no respect" Weinmann 500, I'd highlight the old Altenberger, with its huge adjustability. As far as centering the brake is concerned, I still find Harvey Sachs-modified Weinmanns in my stash: I just filed flat like the Campy on the centerbolt. Or, used that old standby: tap the spring at its loop with a Swedish Micrometer [bad, ironic, joke: hammer].
Dan: While I look at the progression from GB coureur sidepulls (the earliest brakes I've tried) to Weinman to Campagnolo and now the dual pivots which are hard to better in a short to medium reach brake, the Campagnolo Nuovo & Super Record's were (and still are) fabulous brakes for all but tandems and heavily laden touring bikes. And I still put up with them on my tourer! I believe in old technology that works well.
Harvey: For several years, I'd swap back between my '71 Cinelli with Campy side pulls and the Vent Noir with first gen DuraAce side pulls. I don't know if it was the pads or what, but I surprised myself by really preferring the action of the DuraAce brakes. Much more predictable. The only advantage of the Campy was one you noted: the great quick release. BTW, the D-A gear train works better than the NR, too. I can't bring myself to put D-A on the Cinelli, but it's gone back to Universal '68s, and I no longer own any Campy sidepulls. Just some eye-candy Deltas living in a box where they belong. :-)
harvey sachs
mcLean VA.