Modolo Professional Brakeset - NOS, Boxed

Sorry - not for sale. I purchased these from an estate sale last week. Got a decent price on them and, of course, figure they're keepers. Rare to find anything "new in box" from 30 years ago. These are from the early 1980s from my research. Either way, this was the heyday of my road riding and the beginning of my passion for collecting bikes. I couldn't afford Campagnolo back then. At 20 years old, I could barely afford the newly-designed Shimano 600 group, but that's what I put on my Batavus Professional frame - my first "good" bike frame. 

The Batavus frame is pearl white with blue decals, and I always thought it would look stellar with these blue Modolos. The question then is - do I live for the moment and build the bike up with the Campy and these Modolos it deserves, or keep these brakes in-box for their collectible value and show-off potential? I suppose, if this is the only thing I have to keep me awake at night, life must be okay. :)

Here's a link to some great info on Modolo brakes. Enjoy!

Modolo Speedy Brakeset - Black

I love finely-crafted brake calipers and levers. The best ones illustrate a harmony of form and function. That being said, Modolo brakes may not be the best stopping brakes out there - certainly not by today's standards, but even back in the day. However, Modolo did make great-looking brakes, and their attention to design detail is, to me, very apparent in their models starting at the Speedy level.

I also love Suntour Superbe and Superbe Pro brakesets and, of course, most of the Campagnolo offerings in this category prior to 1990. Don't get me wrong; when it comes to modern builds, there are few brakes more sexy that gleaming polished metal or black Campagnolo Skeleton calipers. But those belong in another blog.

I purchased the Modolo Speedy brakeset pictured here off Craigslist for a song - $50. The levers even had the original hoods on them, but they were so cracked and deteriorated that I threw them away as I began polishing. These will go on a build, eventually. In the meantime, they'll remain in my offsite, climate-controlled, subterranean component vault. 

Share your experiences with Modolo brakes below so our readers can enjoy your stories too!

Modolo Team Brakes - White

I bought this pair of Modolo Team brakes as NOS about seven years ago to put on my Olmo Sintex, but have since migrated them to my Batavus Professional, and now... they will be going into the Bicycle Parts Museum (soon to be a link to a fantastical array of vintage bicycle parts...totally drool-worthy, trust me.)

I'll need an expert to chime in here, but it seems that the "Team" models were simply the Modolo Professional brakes in white. As you can see, mine are now more of a cream color, but hey - makes them even more rare, right? Ahem... In any case, they have about 25 miles on them, total, and while cleaning them up for their photo session this morning, a tiny strip of white paint or acrylic coating - whatever the brake shoes are coated with, fell off. This tells me that these are ready to retire, and not destroy by using them on a bike. If paint is starting to come off of these that easy, then they would be thrashed within six months of use. 

Pretty brakes, though, ehe? My favorite brakes are these and Campagnolo Record Cobaltos. Poetry in anti-motion, I suppose. You follow? Good. :)


Here's what they look like when they are actually white. Click HERE.  


What about you? Do you like Modolo brakes? Any input on the "Team" designation? Chime on in.

Modolo Brakes - What's the Product Lineup?

UPDATE: Found this page with terrific details on Modolo Brakes, the Modolo Lineup, and photos. 

I've always appreciated Modolo brakes, and have been lucky enough to own a few pair. Right now, I only have a pair of white Modolo Professional levers and calipers, but always keep my eyes open for more on eBay. 

I wanted to find out how the Modolo product line hierarchy was laid out, so I did a little research and found this Modolo Brochure. Hope it's helpful to you too!

Kronos -- Master-Pro -- Professional -- Equipe -- Speedy -- Flash -- Sporting