Re: [CR]Cambio Corsa shifting: historical documentation

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2004)

Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 09:59:22 -0700
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Cambio Corsa shifting: historical documentation
References: <18796BBF.665BE43D.0000FDAA@aol.com>


Jonathan Agnew wrote:
>
> Can anyone recommend primary sources of information about how the Cambio Corsa was intended to be shifted, and how people actually did it in practice at the time? If for example Bartali was considered a master, what was special or unusual about his technique?
>
> "Primary sources" of information could be contemporary articles (any language...umm...except Japanese), Campagnolo product literature, films, illustrations/photographs, or personal accounts of racers in books, etc.
>
> For moving the rear wheel in the dropout (especially backward), did people in practice use hands, brakes, weight shifts, hopping, or mixes of the above, in addition to gravity?

There is a 7 page Campagnolo instruction sheet for the Cambio Corsa derailleur printed in the 1930s or 40s that is reproduced in the Catalogo Campagnolo I sell. Detailed illustrated instructions on set up and shifting with translations in four languages including English. Doesn't get any better than that (in my opinion).

Chuck Schmidt L.A. http://www.velo-retro.com (Reprints, T-shirts and Timelines on site)

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