Gran-Compe ?

How good is Gran-Compe ?

I found a set of centre pull brakes which say Gran-Compe on them and are stamped made in Japan. They seem nicely made and are going on my old BSA 10 speed. Only ever used Mafac or Weinmam centre pulls before so no idea what these are.

Cheers

Velo

I asked a similar question about some side pulls. Old Ned is your man for this. Quite nice was what he said about mine.

Gran Compe By Dia Compe I know I've seen, I have in fact.



So many questions are answered on the web, but it is better to be able to get these at reasonable prices.

http://www.yellowjersey.org sells them still, but what a price to pay.

"Once upon a time, there was a small, yet extremely high quality, bicycle brake manufacturer with the endearing name Yoshigai Kikai Kinzoku Kaisha . They labored long and hard in Osaka, Japan, to make good bicycle brakes at a fair price.
Then one day the world went aero. It was aero this and aero that. Pointy little acorn nuts on brakes. Cable casing under the tape. Oval seatposts. Many new and strange designs, even DuraAce Ax. And Adamas Aero

One evening in 1979, I was beginning to study Japanese. Slowly, very slowly, I was reading a Japanese cycling magazine when I turned the page and saw..."

Read for more: http://www.yellowjersey.org/agc.html

I might not be the most expierenced one here, but I have Gran Compe calipers and levers (side-pull) on my Nishiki and I think the quality is very very nice. Very solid design in my opinion.

I have a pair of Gran Compe fitted to my old 1955 James Fothergill which was updated in the 1970's and they are extremely good for their day, the red pad compound appears to be very good indeed, I wish I could find some replacements.
I use them on rides around the Derbyshire Peak District and as yet they have'nt scared me!

Saw a KHS (Japanese bike) Mixte Grand Sport today, had the Dia Compe's on there. I think as bike makers moved to the Pacific Rim, a lot of those bikes, maybe even low budget ones got Dia Compe's on them. The things you learn. I'll bet when people say they have a Japanese vintage bike, it's often got Dia Compe brakes on them and I'll bet there are examples on this website.

I once scoped out a Japanese advertisement from the '70s for my own porpoises, as a project I researched Japanese bikes.



Kind of awesome isn't it.

Zebrakenko, Bridgestone, Miyata, Nishiki, etc. I'll bet there is a load of Dia Compe's that they used.

Thanks for telling us: so with your name and this link, this is your bike. Nice. http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bi ... rgill.html

It's probably on this site too. Once I get the hang of navigating here, I will see.

Very well done bike, the lugs, I'll have to go through that site thoroughly as well.

From what I remember of the old days Gran Compe was Dia Compe's top of the line Model.

It surely is, I will get round to posting up to date photo's soon hopefully, once 'we' get finished remodelling the house.......again!
This one's mine also;
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bi ... er-rb.html

And my old Fothergill is here as well!

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bu ... james.html