Re: [CR]Re: Classicrendezvous Digest, Vol 56, Issue 62 Feedback?

Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:51:28 -0400
From: "Phil Sieg" <triodelover@comcast.net>
To: John Barry <usazorro@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Classicrendezvous Digest, Vol 56, Issue 62 Feedback?
References: <516250.2813.qm@web50206.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <516250.2813.qm@web50206.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
cc: Crumpy6204@aol.com
cc: Crumpy6204@aol.com

John Barry wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> I seem to recall that, at least in some years, one of
> the features that distinguished Campagnolo Tipo hubs
> from Record hubs was the shape of the openings. Where
> the Tipo holes were round, the holes in the Record
> were ovals.
>
> I am far from an expert on Campagnolo history, hence
> my reluctance to pipe up right away. I figured that
> someone would cite part numbers from one of the
> Campagnolo catalogs from memory, but alas, that didn't
> happen. Perhaps this will serve as an opening ;)
>
> Cheers,
>
> John (aging Irishman, and lifelong milquetoast) Barry
> Mechanicsburg, PA, USA John,

I believe John Crump is seeking opinions on Alessandro Nati's 3-piece Gran Sport hub shells from the '50s and early '60s. One example (w/flip-flop rear) is seen here http://ebay.com/<blah Alessandro has been listing several pairs of these in 32/40 and 36/40 drillings. Some are road hubs and a few have been track with flip-flop rears. I took delivery of a pair of conventional road hubs shells yesterday and have been polishing and assembling them this afternoon with Nuovo Tipo axles (taken from a pair of high flange Tipos I have that aren't nearly as interesting in appearance nor as in good a shape).

You can see a 36/36 set of the 3-piece GS high flange here <http://www.sdbicyclegarage.com/campi.html>. And there's a 36/40 set from the early '50s at Via Bicycle http://www.bikeville.com/frames.html (scroll down to "hubs" and then scroll down that page to "hubsets"). Scott is correct in that one can assemble them with a variety of Campy axle sets, although the Tipo rear axle should have a change to the Record lock nuts (and the appropriate spacer).

The hub shells I have are 3-piece and appear to be identical to the two sets to which I linked, save for the different drillings. The GS hubs differ from the Tipos in that there is a secondary hole drilled between each large hole below the spoke drillings on the flange. The Tipos have only the large holes. I don't think the Tipos came in 32/40 drillings - at least I can only remember seeing 36/36 and that's what I'm cannibalizing for the axle sets.

Here http://ebay.com/<blah is a different set offered by Alessandro in which the "G" in Campagnolo is apparently different, as is the relative height of the wings. I note that in earlier listings this month Alessandro referred to the hubs with the different G and wings as "'50s era" and now they are "very rare" while the first set of hubs I linked to were referred to as "'60s era" and that designation is now gone. I am in no way attempting to impugn his honesty. I've had quite a few eBay transactions with him and all have been more than satisfactory. I just note the change and wonder if any of the Campy cognoscenti might shed some light. Are these just random variations or do they signify earlier versus later production?

So that's pretty much what I know or think I know on the subject.

--
Phil Sieg
Knoxville, Tennessee
USA