"And if one wants to be fair, they were a step backward only in the sense that they popularized the technically inferior Sidepull design."
Well, if we are so intent on championing bicycle technology, praps we should start talking about aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber frames. Never mind that thousands upon thousands upon thousands of miles were raced on bicycles mounted with the "inferior" Campy sidepull brakes over the years. Is there some kind of snob factor at work here...? Oh ye unbeknighted, unwashed masses astride your over-rated Italian bikes w their Campy gruppos----get with the program!
Nor Meyer in Mt. Vernon, IA USA (building up his Wojcik road bike with----guess what? Sidepull brakes!)