Vintage Dia-compe brakes replacement

[Nikio8]

Hi team,
I have this old steel bike with few nice parts, but the main issue are the brakes that do not seem to have much stopping power.
I was wondering if that is normal, this is just what you get with long reach side pull brakes?

I was thinking to buy newer version, but can I expect any improvement? Is there something else I can try?
Thanks

[P!N20]

You could replace them with dual pivot calipers, the trick will be finding them with that length of reach. Is the nut recessed?

The cable looks corroded, possibly some new cables and housing is required.

[WyvernRH]

You could replace them with dual pivot calipers, the trick will be finding them with that length of reach. Is the nut recessed?

The cable looks corroded, possibly some new cables and housing is required.

Tektro make long reach, knutted dual pivot brakes. Not used them myself but their normal dual pivots are pretty good.

Richard

[Nikio8]

You could replace them with dual pivot calipers, the trick will be finding them with that length of reach. Is the nut recessed?

The cable looks corroded, possibly some new cables and housing is required.

Are they stronger? I was thinking to get something to lower and install pivot calipers or strengthen at least front brakes.

Cable and wires are new, just a bit of dirt from the last ride, so are brake pads (i have tried multiple, sanded them and the rims and tried multiple rims too). As the bike has dropbars and dura-ace brake levers, it should have good stopping power... Is it racing bike or what

[Nikio8]

Tektro make long reach, knutted dual pivot brakes. Not used them myself but their normal dual pivots are pretty good.

Richard

I was thinking to buy Tektro, but they are pricey and if the improvement is minimal, mind as well save money for new bike, ergo the post. Should older steel bike still have good stopping power, enought to skid tires?

[open roader]

I rode an Opera Cellini fitted with the long drop Tektro brakes - unsure if they were OEM fitment but they worked well and I think they go to 75mm. If I was looking for a replacement caliper for your bike and I didn't care about period correctness I'd try the Tektro offerings.

[Nikio8]

I rode an Opera Cellini fitted with the long drop Tektro brakes - unsure if they were OEM fitment but they worked well and I think they go to 75mm. If I was looking for a replacement caliper for your bike and I didn't care about period correctness I'd try the Tektro offerings.

Thanks, i am thinking to buy Tektro R559 to try. It is not very expensive and was thinking later on should be easier to sell the bike.

Bike is well used, so no drama. Weight loss and fitness more important than looks

[foo on patrol]

How old are the pads, how far are they adjusted out from the rims, how old are the outter cables, it's all relevant to your question on perfermance?

Foo

[Thoglette]

How old are the pads, how far are they adjusted out from the rims, how old are the outter cables, it's all relevant to your question on perfermance?

And what are the brake levers?

Going by the picture above someone’s been fiddling (eg. adjuster in the cable), possibly because they’ve “upgraded” the levers.

If you’re not pulling enough cable you’ll never get decent braking.

[foo on patrol]

How old are the pads, how far are they adjusted out from the rims, how old are the outter cables, it's all relevant to your question on perfermance?

And what are the brake levers?

Going by the picture above someone’s been fiddling (eg. adjuster in the cable), possibly because they’ve “upgraded” the levers.

If you’re not pulling enough cable you’ll never get decent braking.

Yep.

Foo