Hello-
All this talk of the non-super record "super record" brakes brings up a
brakeset authenticity issue that I have not seen discussed on CR list before.
What I am referring to is the rather common, yet hardly ever acknowledged
custom of (mostly) Italian manufacturers equipping a bike with full Campy NR
or SR OEM grouppo save the brakeset.
Here are some examples that come to mind:
1969, 70, 71, 72(maybe) Cinelli SC complete NR except Universal Super 68s.
1973, 74(maybe) Mondia complete NR except for Dura Ace brakeset.
1971, 72, 73, 74(maybe) Schwinn Paramount, NR except Weinmann C-pulls.
1977 (maybe others) Colnago Supers w/SR except Modolo Master Pro brakes
1981, 82 (maybe) Rossin w/SR except for Galli Criterium brakeset.
1980ish Ciocc Compezzione(sp?) w/SR except Modolo Kronos brakeset.
Please pardon me if I my vintages are off by a year or two. Any way you
get the point. I don't know how many early 1970 Cinelli and Mondia I have
seen that have had their brakeset switched out to Campy. There's a good
chance that several people on this list even have this switch-out on their
bikes.
I whole-heartedly agree with our group's ethos of originality and
authenticity. This brakeset issue seems to have dropped below our radar. Why
is it even important? Authenticity of a bike is its Spirit, its mojo, its
"sexiness", its bloodline.
I believe the folks at Cinelli and Colnago spec'd out their bikes with
non-campy brakes for conscious and well though out reasons. Whether it was
economic or based on astrology or whatever; its the bike's Authenticity.
Obviously, companies like Colnago and Rossin could have easily spec'd
Campy SR brakes,,,,,,,but they didn't. To be honest, I don't believe their
reasons for doing this matters a whole lot. I mean who am I, let alone who
are we, to tell Ernie C. which way he should have dressed out his bikes in
the late 70s?
Long live authentic uniqueness. Long live not blindly going along with
the pack. Long live non-campy OEM brakesets and their mojo! OK, thats my rant
for the month. Cheers,
Dave Anderson
Cut Bank MT