Road Bike

[si_c]

Yeah, I've tried that with limited success, it's a little better, but the brake cables and the outers all look pretty knackered to be honest, I've got some new cables to put on this weekend, which will hopefully sort it out.

 

[si_c]

How these duel brake levers ever went out fashion is beyond my understanding, I love them. The brakes are still terrifying though.

That they are, fixed everything up as much as I can, was going to spend this afternoon replacing the brake cables and stuff. Went out last night for a longer ride (did 12km) before I the brakes put me into the back of a fiesta shoulder first. Going to fast and completely misjudged how much space I needed to leave to stop.

Got plenty of time to restore the bike now, my right clavicle is completely shattered, Dr said probably going to be off the bike for 4-6 months, with surgery being required

First thing I'm going to do is order a modern brake system, I wanted to keep things as close to original as possible, but given yesterday I'd rather be safe.

Lovely ride though, in fact my most enjoyable ride on any bike to date, really smooth and easy, and although I think I need wider handlebars, it was really responsive. Plus I set 5 PBs on the route

 

[Colin_P]

Sorry to hear that, sounds brutal.

I'm not too well either having a heart condition and only manage short'ish rides. The main thing is getting out there though.

With regard to the brakes, we all used to manage with back in the day, you just have to plan where you want to stop, somewhere on the horizon. Oil tankers and 70's / 80's racers probably have the same stopping distance but as long as you plan.

I reckon we have all been spoilt rotten by modern brakes that stop you on the spot. I remember getting my first mountain bike many years ago which had modern brakes, I was amazed how good they were and how much safer they made things.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

 

[si_c]

Sorry to hear that, sounds brutal.

I'm not too well either having a heart condition and only manage short'ish rides. The main thing is getting out there though.

With regard to the brakes, we all used to manage with back in the day, you just have to plan where you want to stop, somewhere on the horizon. Oil tankers and 70's / 80's racers probably have the same stopping distance but as long as you plan.

I reckon we have all been spoilt rotten by modern brakes that stop you on the spot. I remember getting my first mountain bike many years ago which had modern brakes, I was amazed how good they were and how much safer they made things.

Yeah my MTB stops on a dime it's fantastic, I was fine before as I was able to plan the braking, but this was rather sudden and didn't have sufficient space or time to maneuver. Going to get back on it as soon as possible though. Taking the positive and gonna use the time for fettling and upgrades, get the frame sprayed and get it ready for spring.

 

[Cycleops]

The return springs in the brakes can become tired after some time so maybe best to replace the brakes as you suggest. You can get a special tool for the Weinmann brakes which fits in the centre pivot to help centre them. You must be a very tall guy as that looks to me like a 25" frame and you have the seat post out a fair way! Are the spokes reasonably tight?

 

[si_c]

Yeah I'm 6"5, and it's a 61cm frame, I've ordered a new seat post and seat through the LBS anyway as the seat post is actually about 1/2 inch above the minimum insert, and I could really do with another inch tbh.

The spokes are tight enough, the wheels have just been trued however the rims aren't spectacular, and I'm planning on replacing them at some point for some newer ones.

I've looked online and it seems I can get some campagnolo veloce brakes which should fit the bike for about £30, which seems like a bargain to me, the existing ones are manufactured by CLB, who went out of business and got taken over by Sachs in the early 80s. I'm guessing they aren't as good as the Weinmann brakes, and they certainly aren't centred properly, the front brake in particular is further out on one side from the rim.

Given that I want wider handlebars, getting new levers and brakes seems prudent at this point. It's a lesson well learnt, I'll be wary of any older brakes henceforth.

 

[broady]

I wanted to upgrade my old bikes brakes, but have been told the drop on the modern brakes is too short so I have to just make do. Will strip them down over winter and clean them up so they can be as good as they can be

 

[Gravity Aided]

Yeah I'm 6"5, and it's a 61cm frame, I've ordered a new seat post and seat through the LBS anyway as the seat post is actually about 1/2 inch above the minimum insert, and I could really do with another inch tbh.

The spokes are tight enough, the wheels have just been trued however the rims aren't spectacular, and I'm planning on replacing them at some point for some newer ones.

I've looked online and it seems I can get some campagnolo veloce brakes which should fit the bike for about £30, which seems like a bargain to me, the existing ones are manufactured by CLB, who went out of business and got taken over by Sachs in the early 80s. I'm guessing they aren't as good as the Weinmann brakes, and they certainly aren't centred properly, the front brake in particular is further out on one side from the rim.

Given that I want wider handlebars, getting new levers and brakes seems prudent at this point. It's a lesson well learnt, I'll be wary of any older brakes henceforth.

I was wondering about that myself, I had a Versailles in that size, and I'm 6 ft 3in, and barely had any seatpost, but I think my Peugeot may have been next size up come to think of it. Hellish poor brakes, but did respond to care and cleaning, lubing, and adjustment.