>>1820498I setup a centerpull for the first time on this.
It was terrible with the original pads, even though they seemed kinda soft and i re-faced them with a file. The squeel was deafening and they had huge brake shudder and the vibrations of heavy front braking for some reason ghost shifted to the granny cog.
The trick was to use modern pads with connical washers to set toe. I think the ol' timers used to fucking bend the arms for the same effect. I don't even think clarks/jagwire etc new pads are any good, the shimano refills are so much better. Only buying the holders is expensive and if you're clever you can scavenge them.
The rear brake on this is just a basic old long caliper brake (both accommodate the 27"- 700c conversion).
With good pads and cables the braking is excellent, down very steep hills, and in the wet. You can brake from the hoods. And its not even with aero levers which pull like 20% harder.
I used to staunchly hate old brake calipers but i've changed my mind. Even if you do, stick to 700c bikes, which is most of the good old road bikes anyway, and then just put modern brakes on.
>>1820525lol