Aldo Ross wrote:
>
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> Only nine months ago I had never seen a Campy sliding-hub shifter in person.
> Now there are two of each here at The Island of Misfit Bicycles. I already
> feel like an "old hand" at using these old mechs - they aren't too difficult
> to use, just slow and inconvenient compared to modern parts (i.e. anything
> post-1953).
Actually the writing was on the wall July 1949, with Fausto Coppi's victory in the Tour de France riding a Bianchi with Simplex derailleurs. Other triumphs: Fredi Kubler's victory in the 1950 TdF, Schotte's 1950 Pro Road World's victory and Bevilacqua's 1950 Italian Pro Road victory, all on Simplex.
All this provided the motivation for Tullio Campagnolo to perfect his Gran Sport derailleur with which Hugo Koblet won the 1951 Tour de France.
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, CA
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