Ultra short reach brake question

Right the new No Pro was made for a 650 rear wheel, and I’m being silly and putting a 700 on it. Ideally, its going to have its gears back on it in the future, so I need to find a rear brake that will accommodate the shorter than intended reach. I’ve tried a standard 39mm drop and that’s still not close to being square on the brake surface.

So Sheldon says... well he doesn’t say much other than I’ve not much luck in finding one with a less than 39mm reach
www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ra-e.html (under the ‘reach’ section on the a-z page).

However, the world of online bike geeks recommends Dia Compe Aero Gran Compe brakes and lo, there’s a pair on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dia-Compe-AGC-Aero-Gran-Compe-Brakes-Classic-Road-WOW_W0QQitemZ150332918291QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item150332918291&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

So questions questions:

Has anyone used a pair and if so, are they ok?
And any idea of what price they’re going to go for and whether I’m going to end up having to chop off an arm and a leg every time I want new brake pads (they appear to be annoyingly specific), or

Does anyone know a calliper with a less than 39mm reach?

Hmm, I should just buy a 650 geared rear wheel really shouldn’t I?

Yes, I had Aero Gran Compe brakes on my time trial bike in the early 80s. They are really classy. Not quite as good in stopping power as a modern Campag/Shimano but more than goo enough for general riding. They are also very, very light. Do be aware that they have specific brake blocks that are unique to Dia Compe aero brakes. Price wise the Aero Gran Compe (Dia Compe's equivalent to Record or Dura Ace) are quite dear now. The standard Dia Compe Aero brakes should be a fair bit cheaper.

Basically they a very nice brakes.

But, as you say, might be better just to buy 650 rear wheel

Fiddy's got three of them. One I gave him and two I sold him.
He's got too many bits anyway, give him a call.

someone I know has those brakes in his parts/clutter box hes trying to get ride of.

If your desperate I can go check em out.

They normally come in silver like this:

I think they look great and are v light and work fine.
They don't have quick release which is a pain.

They normally go for a lot of money NOS.
I've seen some on US ebay for £100+
Tour de Ville here has a brakeset for more than £100.
And replacement brake pads are $40 from the states.
However - if you know what you're looking for you can pick them up on GB ebay for less than £15 for a pair including brake pads ;-)
I now have 2 pairs but don't really want to sell them.

I also have a no name/generic dual pivot calliper that has a v short reach - if you're interested I'll post a pic and measure the exact drop.