Aldo,
Thanks for posting. Interesting, the Campagnolo/Simplex mix. One wonders which of the two companies sponsored Bobet... because one might be able to conclude whether he considered parts of one maker superior to those of another. (Like the Campagnolo-sponsored riders in the late-1970s using Simplex retrofriction shift levers.)
On your web site, you mention that many bikes in 1951 had the quick release lever on the driveside. Any reason for this, except maybe so that it would show up in photos right next to the other Campagnolo product, the new GS derailleur?
BTW, during the 1951 Tour, the few photos I have seen show both arrangements, both on Coppi's and Koblet's bikes, with more pictures showing the lever in the now conventional position on the left. In Rebour's drawings, Koblet's Tour-winning La Perle has the QR lever on the left side.
As an aside, photos show Koblet's bike with both "Frankenstein" QR nuts (with two bolts to secure the QR rod), and, during later stages, the modern "C"-shaped clip (a photo is in VBQ Vol. 2, No. 3). The Rebour drawings show the "C" clip (see also VBQ Vol. 2, No. 2).
When did the "C" clip first appear? (It is quite possible that Koblet
used older QRs during the race...)
--
Jan Heine, Seattle
Editor/Publisher
Vintage Bicycle Quarterly
http://www.mindspring.com/
>Pic of the Day
>11th June
>Bobet's Campy/Simplex mix
>
>Unusual combination on Louison Bobet's bike at the 1951 "Tour de
>Lombardie", mixing Simplex front derailleur and rear shift lever
>with Campagnolo rear derailleur. The rider next to him (out of
>frame) is Coppi, using Campy GS f&r derailleurs and bar-end shift
>levers. From "But et Club - Le Miroir des Sports" No.320, 22 October
>1951.
>
>http://www.birfield.com/nuke/modules/gallery/album17/BobetCampySimplex
>click on pic for larger image
>
>detail shots:
>
>http://www.birfield.com/nuke/modules/gallery/album17/BobetSimplex
>
>http://www.birfield.com/nuke/modules/gallery/album17/BobetCampy
>
>Aldo Ross
>Blue Ball, Ohio