Q on Paul's Racers

[TMB]

I have the choice between going to the Centre mount or the Post mount.

The Post mount would have to be shipped to the builder to be fitted in the build, centre mounts - not so much.

Anything lost by using the centre mount Racers? Power, grip, modulation???

Or am I better to just get the posts put on and go whole hog?

[Too Tall]

Purely a matter of style going with the boss mounts. I use the New Racers (ctr.) and love them long time. When setup correctly I'd have a hard time to distinguish if they were fresh campy brakes or not! Serioulsy good modulation.

[samcat]

...and should reduce any tendency for flex/chatter/vibration.

PH

[dauwhe]

I have both, and prefer the brazed-on mount, mostly because it's so darn cool!

I agree that these brakes have a wonderful feel--I didn't really understand all the talk about modulation until I had these.

Dave

[Too Tall]

...and should reduce any tendency for flex/chatter/vibration.

PH
You've never ridden in a pack of vintage velos have you? (wink wink)

[11.4]

If I recall correctly, the posts aren't at the same height as for regular cantis. Therefore you are committing the frame to these brakes for all time.

These are nice brakes, but are you certain you want the vintage look per se? You get better clearance for fenders with regular cantis and more adjustability or choice in clearance vs. power on the brakes. Or if you don't really need extreme clearance, you can fit fenders on most bikes with regular road calipers such as Dura Ace.

[dauwhe]

I'm not sure what's considered "extreme clearance". I think it might be tough getting a 40mm metal fender and even a Pro2Race 25mm tires (almost 27mm actual) under a "short-reach" dual pivot sidepull (especially if the fork wasn't carefully designed to maximize clearances).

I like the Shimano 'long reach' sidepull (57mm max) but I much prefer the feel of the Pauls, and you get lots more options for tires and fenders. I personally am not worried that I'm committed to the Pauls for the bike with braze-ons--the bike was designed around the brakes, and I'm good with that.

You could possibly use the bolt-on Pauls, with the option of using the Tektro/Silver super long reach sidepulls as an alternative, if having the ability to switch brakes is important.

Dave

[Too Tall]

If it matters the new(er) AlphaQ Z Pro fork offers more possibilities with fenders and long reach brakes.

This has a 374 Axle Center to Crown vs 371,372,369 as the more typical spans offered by AlphaQ.

[cpg]

If you're committed to Paul Racers, I'd go for the pivots. They do work better but the center mount ones work well too.

Curt

[Too Tall]

Obi-Curt-Wonobi - talk to me about your take on tyre size + Paul Racers. A birdie tells me your appreciation for them with adequately sized tyres...I totally agree. It's a visual thing not functional agree?

[Steve Hampsten]

I'll just add that there are two versions of this brake: the original-but-seldom-seen Racer brake (pivots are 63mm apart) and the newer, more common New Racer, with the pivots at 78mm.

We almost exclusively use the narrow Racer version for all but 50mm fenders as it looks more balanced. You can also get a silver finish, black, or Phil Wood-style high-polish. Avoid the Moon Unit.

[sspielman]

I rather like these...with modern shoes, of course...

[TMB]

My plan is to use them with tires in the 25 - 30 range.

[Steve Hampsten]

I recommend narrow, and that your builder modify the canti studs to make the extra bits go away. U-brake studs will also work after some fiddling on the lathe.

[TMB]

I recommend narrow, and that your builder modify the canti studs to make the extra bits go away. U-brake studs will also work after some fiddling on the lathe.

Where would one find the Narrows? Don't see them on the Paul's site.

[Steve Hampsten]

Talk to Paul himself, or shoot him an email - paul@paulcomp.com

[cpg]

Obi-Curt-Wonobi - talk to me about your take on tyre size + Paul Racers. A birdie tells me your appreciation for them with adequately sized tyres...I totally agree. It's a visual thing not functional agree?


I like them if you're using a tire larger than 28mm with a fender. If you're not going into that tire territory I prefer standard reach calipers. Yes, it's a visual thing.

Curt

[Too Tall]

I like them if you're using a tire larger than 28mm with a fender. If you're not going into that tire territory I prefer standard reach calipers. Yes, it's a visual thing.

Curt
I'd like to give you a big ol' hug CPG ;)

Hey, I got home early and took a few pics. Nothing like a pic right? The fenders are painted 40mm smooth Honjos and two diff. tyres 25mm Michelin Pro Race and some 32mm cross tyres. The 32s just barely fit however it could be done. I've run some 32mm file tread tubulars under with no problem. I really like the look of a tight fit. The ruler has 40mm marked between blue tape.

[TMB]

Thanks for the pictures Too Tall, even with the 25's those don't look too big.

I am in love with that bike!

Seriously, distractingly, longingly in love with that bike.