'Morning Folks,
I agree with the comments about Campagnolo's durability, "
Doubtless true. The best description of Campagnolo NR/SR I've read (and I forget where) was that "It shifted lousy forever". And I guess that counts for something. That's why riding one of my Peugeot with Simplex derailleurs is such a revelation after a few weekends on my Campag machines. My own personal experience is that the good old Simplex Criterium derailleur and the simple plunger style front changer just work better than anything Campagnolo made in the classic era. It shifts smoothly and quiety and surely. The levers are much better designed and "feel" better. And, of course, it all weighs a lot less than NR, too. One only has to look at the Simplex seatpost design vs. that of Campagnolo during this same era to scratch ones head and wonder "why can the former be SO easy to mount and adjust and the latter such a bugger".
So longevity has its place and surely counted for much in the pro peloton. And even more among those of us raised in the 1970s "It's gotta be Campy" mania.
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA