Conference noted::bicycle

    John,
    
    perhaps you're just the candidate I've been looking for.  I'm working
    on this invention wherein the main body of the brake lies in the plane
    of the bicycle instead of perpendicular to it like all the rest.  That
    way the brakes do not cause so much air resistance and help the fleet
    of pedal to veritably slice through the air.  A perfect addition
    that will go down in the annals of cycling history next to aero
    seat posts, aero pedals, bladed spokes, Kestrals (tm), etc.  Waddaya
    think?
    
    ed

    
    ed,
    
    Think: air-resistance is a not worry when you're trying to stop
    or slow down.  Au contraire.  Therefore, your design could stow the
    standard caliper-like mechanism parallel, then have them flip out
    (at the last possible instant) when braking action is applied.
    
    In fact, maybe we could conceal them in the seat tube and head tube.
    Except some drogue chutes go in the seat tube.  (I prefer the top-tube
    models - it looks like you or the bike is spewing some material out
    the rear end.)
    
    -john

    Hi John,
    
    I just bought the Campy Athena brakeset on sale from Nashbar for $49. 
    I agree with you, it's nice looking, durable, and a great deal at the
    sale price.  
    
    After inspecting them carefully I still feel that way, but Campy did
    take some short cuts to keep the price down.  The calipers are really
    nice.  Solid and nice looking.  The levers though, are a tad light.
    Plastic is used in lieu of aluminum and you can "feel" it.  They still
    look nice, but they are not as solid as other levers, such as Ultegra.
    
    The lever cables can either be routed out or inside the handlebar tape.
    A small metal piece is supplied to make the conversion.  You also get
    two small rubber buttons to plug the grip holes if you route the cables
    inside the handlebar tape. 
    
    Also, the calipers do not have a rachet release mechanism to open them
    up to remove the wheel or to allow an out of true wheel to spin freely.
    The mechanism to allow that is in the levers.  It's a small pin that
    you slide to the right which allows the calipers to open.  
    
    Overall, I like the brakeset.  I wouldn't use it on my "best" bike,
    but I would certainly enjoy them on my second bike.  And for $49,
    welllll, it's a great price for a very good brakeset.  
    
    I hope this helps.  
    
    Regards,
    
    John 

    
    Thanks, John.  Yes, that is useful info.  Sounds like the
    alternate routing scheme and brake-hood plugholes are the 
    same as for the C-Record.  Too bad about the levers, but
    it's true, it's the calipers and the price that attract me.
    
    -john

    If I'm not mistaken, the Chorus brakes have better levers.
    Besides, they're cool-looking.
    
    MATT

    
    Yes, cool is important.  
    
    Especially with this bike (the racing green DeRosa).  :-)
    
    I'm not wild about the C-Record levers, for that matter, but
    better levers than plastic would be nice.  The first and last
    plastic levers I had were (dealer-chosen) black aero Modolo 
    shift levers, which soon duly broke off, within a couple of days
    of each other, one on the (nothing-but-hilly) Blue Ridge Parkway.
    
    -john

    re:.1,.2: Precisely, the first 1/8" movement of the brake levers cause
    the brakes to flip to a plane perpendicular to the wheel rims and fully
    extend the calipers and pads.
    
    ed

    Mortgage the house and buy some DELTAs-oids... :-)
    
       Chip

I was brought up in the days when Campag was THE THING.  My friends thought I
was a real baron, spending �5 (yes five english pounds) on a rear mechanism
when you could buy Simplex or Benelux at �1/15/0.  But it was well engineered
and lasted for ever - it was old fashioned, didn't take the range and changed
badly on close blocks.

This year I bought Chorus brakes at around �90 (=900FF =$180) and a pair of
105's at �45 - I don't think the Campags perform any better and that is the main
criterion in this area with 20% steepness and 15-20 km drops.  (As an aside, I
also have a Chorus rear mech which is the same, well engineered etc and pricey,
but really my old Suntour 2000 works better and takes a greater range.)  John
Wilson bought the Ultegra set and is well pleased with them.

    Please define....

I, being the Shimano head that I am, have used and been quite pleased with both 
the 105 and Ultegra brakesets.  The 105's were around $50, but may have gone up 
since they have, yet again, introduced new brake technology in the 105 line. 
Both sets are aero-routing only.

I can't imagine needing a better brake than either of these Shimano offerings, 
except for my tandem when riding in the mountains.

Kevin

    Chip,
    
    I think Robin's referring to the range of gears supported by
    his rear derailleur.  (He moved on from brakes into components
    in general.)
    
    Also, if $180 seems high for Chorus brakes, remember that the
    pound is really strong right now....
    
    
    MATT

Quite so......

I have by me the TdF preview of Cycling -
Special Mail order price from Deeside Cycles Athena �59.95, Chorus �79.95 - I
reckon you could add 10-15% on that for a real bike shop offering.  They don't
offer Shimano but earlier on in the same issue.. Ultegra �59.95 and 105SC (?)
are at �55.
My Chorus's came in a group set which was special offer, I did think the
stirrups looked a bit stronger than Athena with the "feed-through" of the arms,
perhaps the consideration is strength (ie: not snapping in half) rather than
solidity (stiffness) in use.  I also believe that the choice of inner cable and
outer covering plus routing from the lever to the stirrup can make a lot of
difference to the feel and performance of a set of brakes.

Ah the good old days of 66 fixed and a single Weinmann 500 - I don't think I
ever needed to use it in those days.............but that was before UK
motorists turned bad - see CYCLE_RACING note ;>)

Ah yes Robin, I remember that TdF preview issue...

But back to the point. I don't think there's better value in brakes than 
Shimano 105SC (this year's dual pivot model). The brake is remarkably well
made and very easy to adjust, the levers are *very* comfortable, there is
excellent feel and endless stopping power. I'm totally satisfied with them.
Also, someone at the cycling club told me the other week that 1991 Ultegra
and Dura-Ace brakes will be dual-pivot, so Shimano must be pleased with the
design.


Rod

    
    I thought the Chorus had the "feed-through" arms and the Athena
    did not.  Could you re-check?
    
    -john

..Chorus's came in a group set which was special offer, I did think the
stirrups looked a bit stronger than Athena with the "feed-through" of the arms,
perhaps the consideration is strength (ie: not snapping in half) rather than
solidity (stiffness) in use.

Compare with...

..Chorus's came in a group set which was special offer, I did think the
stirrups looked a bit stronger than Athena, with the "feed-through" of the arms,
perhaps the consideration is strength (ie: not snapping in half) rather than
solidity (stiffness) in use.

You're right of course - the Chorus has the 'feed-through' feature...  I know
what I mean, I just have problems in saying it.

On another subject - anyone got any ideas on the Sachs-Huret indexed system -
Recommended freewheels??
Usage experience??
Probably only Europeans even see these things.......

By the way, did you know that G�nther Sachs comes from the family that invented
the freewheel?  He was also married to Brigitte Bardot so there's hope yet for
all us oil-rags......

(It is the silly season after all )

Re .16:

I haven't used Sachs-Huret but the stuff has had reasonable write-ups although
I don't think it has Shimano's technical sophistication or sleekness. As far
as I can remember Maillaird make a freewheel with notched teeth for Sachs-Huret
indexing, and you can't switch the indexing off. Sachs also make interesting
things like hub brakes and gears.


Rod

    
    Thanks for the comma.  Now I understand.
    
    There's a piece on new components in the latest "Bicycling" -
    including Sachs-Huret.  I've forgotten the details, but the report
    was fairly positive.  I'll try to relay the info...
    
    -john