[CR] Bartali levers AKA Le Roi des Grimpeurs

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 09:39:17 -0700
From: "simon bird" <simonandonandon@yahoo.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Bartali levers AKA Le Roi des Grimpeurs


Listers, I have just bought a pair of these levers for possibly a good price (I haven't received them yet)

I couldn't find many good images or good information on them on-line and I'm hoping that you (all) might be able to help.

Do any of you have links to good images of the levers?

How many types were there? I know of 3 but can only find images of 2; And who made them?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v6huhJw7lCM/SpbF47DdGLI/AAAAAAAAA24/t2QZSotf-O4/s400/Le+Roi+des++Grimpeurs+Bartali+40s-50s.jpg or http://tinyurl.com/ydjr56p

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390096414090&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT or http://tinyurl.com/y9as22c

What were the years of popularity? I've seen photos of Bartali using them in 1949 (I think for the first time) - oddly not on the bike in The Competition Bicycle, though some photos of that year's Tour do show them. Bartali seems to be riding the ones from the first link - or very similar.

Some seem to fetch good money, is one design more desirable than the others?

Simon Bird
London
England.