BRAKE CALIPERS:
MAVIC 410 (modified) - 42 mm to 55 mm "short reach" aluminum alloy calipers - Clear anodized finish - recessed Allen nut mount - C.P.S.C. compliant quick release mechanisms incorporating a technopolymer eccentric - Black anodized cable barrel adjusters - wire formed steel wheel guides - post 1981 and pre 1990 block lettered "MAVIC" logo on the right side of the caliper arms without any markings on the left side - post 1985 and pre 1990 arched triangular cross-section or first generation "aero" profile caliper arms - original plastic fiber center bolt washers replaced with stainless steel versions - model 410 road brake : Kool-Stop brake pads (modified) - iron oxide Salmon compound - custom tapered at their trailing edge to accommodate MAVIC / Modolo brake shoe profile - 3/16" hole center drilled 3/16" deep on their backside in order to "lock" each pad into its respective MAVIC / Modolo brake shoe - model KS-CRSA : SRP recessed brake nuts - 6Al-4V titanium alloy - model 35-13 (M6 x 10 mm - front) / model 35-22 (M6 x 22 mm - rear) ... [The entire line of MAVIC brake levers and calipers dating from point of inception in the late 1970’s and throughout the 1980’s were actually OEM versions produced by the Italian firm Modolo and rebranded specifically for MAVIC. Although an ardently chauvinistic Francophile might opine to the contrary, I am of the opinion that this multinational arrangement should rightfully be considered a "good thing" to the extent that the Modolo line of brakes were at that time arguably the best in the world - the equal of, and in some cases outright superior to, their esteemed Campagnolo counterparts. Whereas Modolo proliferated their own product range of road oriented brakesets from three (...Professional, Speedy, and Flash) to seven (...Kronos / Orion, Master Pro, Professional, Equippe, Speedy, Flash, Sporting, and Corsa) by the mid 1980’s, MAVIC labeled offerings of same started out at two (...1978 through 1983 - the 420 and 410 which corresponded at the time to the Modolo Professional and Speedy models respectively) then briefly expanded to three (...1984 and 1985 - the 430, 420, and 410 which were rebadged versions of contemporary Modolo Master Pro, Professional and Speedy models) and then back to two (...1986 through 1989 - the 430 and 410 which equated to the Modolo Master Pro and Speedy models from that era) before finally consolidating into a single version in 1989 with the introduction of the new MAVIC 440 model. If all of this sounds somewhat confusing, that is probably because it is (...was, and likely always will be). With regard to the particular MAVIC brake calipers seen here, they would be 410 road models dating from 1986 through 1988. However, I have taken the liberty of performing a couple of simple modifications which allow these 410 brake calipers to perform on par with the very best from their era. First of all, I replaced the three plastic fiber washers normally found along the center bolts of each caliper arm with thin stainless steel versions of same - a quick and inexpensive upgrade which virtually eliminates friction washer compression, thereby yielding demonstrably improved response and/or "feel" under hard braking. And secondly, I swapped out the standard brake pads for a set of Kool Stop iron oxide compound pads (...if you seek absolute period authenticity, then I suggest you use similar Scott / Mathauser pads instead) which were custom profiled on their ends and then center drilled on their backside so as to accommodate the stock MAVIC / Modolo brake shoes. Compared to your typical standard issue vintage brake pad, these Kool Stop inserts alone provide a significant increase in braking power by decreasing mean stopping distances on both dry pavement and under wet weather conditions.]
