IAmSam

Hullo to the C&V forum,

Was just discussing this with a riding buddy. Thought it was a simple question, but he did not have a simple answer and my research did not lead me to one either. Maybe you guys can please provide some advice?

What retro/vintage/recent(?) Campagnolo brake levers should I look for if I need to set them up aero?

Thanx for your help...

cyclotoine

any chorus/athena/record late 1980s levers but make sure they include the little piece to make them aero.

Blue Belly

Most should be listed as "Nuovo Record Aero". If the is no "Aero" they were not designed to be run that way. I have modded a set of Non's to be Aero. It's kind of a funky venture & I'll probably replace them in time. They are working, though. & they have aero hoods. One would never know unless they recognize the markings on the levers themselves

cyclotoine

"nuovo record aero" won't get you very far as there is no such thing.

you are looking for the late 1980s and early 1990s brake levers. Most had white hoods and some had black. they came with a little plate so you could choose how to route the cable. We could get into conversions, but there are other thread on that.

Chorus, Athena, Record, Croce D'Aune, and maybe even Xenon are the group names these levers belonged to. However, you should just seach for campagnolo aero brake levers as many are listed without group names since they were not printed on them and many groups shared the same lever.

John E

Make sure they fit your hands. I need Weinmann or Shimano levers for a fast, secure grip in a panic stop -- I have always found Modolo, Campagnolo, and Mafac levers to be just a bit too long in the reach for my comfort and confidence. They are fine when if I am holding the tops of the hoods, but I do a fair amount of riding on the drops, where I really notice the difference in reach.

Bikedued

What I don't like about most Campy levers is that in the hoods the hump in the front of the lever hits right at my fingertips. At that point the levers have HORRIBLE braking power. The tips are also not large enough to hook a finger on securely. I wrap my hand around an early 80's Dia Compe non aero, and the feel is spot on perfect. The later aero Dia Compes I cannot stand at all. The ergonomics feel off kilter, and the lever tips sit too far from the bars. I have to stretch out my fingers to reach them from the drops.,,,,BD

Pars 

The Tektro levers, particularly the R100s and R200s are copied somewhat from the early Campy levers (Athena,etc.). I have some Athenas (I think) on my Raleigh and have used them for years and really like them. Black hoods, still look perfect.

Apparently when aero levers first started coming out, people would take their Nuovo or Super Record levers and insert the cable end into the barrel (where the housing usually goes), and put the housing in from the bottom, into where the cable end normally goes, and use them like this as "aero" levers. Never tried it myself, and just going on what I have read. Never seen pics of them cabled this way either.

repechage

That concept showed up in Southern California in 1975 on the race course. It works, better for the rear than for the front in my estimation.

The true "designed" to be aero optioned 80's Campagnolo brake levers were without return spring and the mechanical advantage was reduced from the earlier design. Also, as mentioned the early aero levers were bulkier and increased the distance from the bar to the lever blade. Quite a few compromises, but if you must be Campagnolo correct and period correct, then you search. I found the Aero Gran Compe levers good for my hands in comparison and they had better mechanical advantage. Alas, no full Campagnolo on that bike, and Tullio's birthday is coming up.

Bikedued

My Falcon was done this way when I first found it, but it wasn't Campy levers. This is the best/only pic I have of it, unfortunately. I don't even remember what levers it had, Modolo perhaps? Maybe Mafac?,,,,BD

onespeedbiker

+1 When I picked a used Cannondale SR900 with a Nuovo/Super Record gruppo, it had been "upgraded" with a set of Aero Gran Compe levers; I eventually replaced them with a set of Super Record levers, but I will admit the Aero Gran Compe levers worked as well and probably even a little better.

Blue Belly

Thanks for posting! That's interesting.

Road Fan

I'm the opposite. I find Campy lever shapes nearly perfect for my small hands.

Road Fan

Those calipers look like Weinmann - I bought a new Falcon in 1968 that had Weinmann levers and center-pulls.

Bikedued

The hoods of Campy's are comfortable, I never downplayed that. I have large enough hands for most levers, but the Campy upper lever seems to have very little mechanical use for braking. Almost like I am trying to squeeze directly into the pivot point, rather than below it(when on the hoods). When braking from the drops, I often find I am having to spread three fingers over the face of the lever, instead of the more powerful one of two fingers near the hooked tip. It's hard to explain really, I just do not like them? They are sexy yes, but I find them annoying and mentally tiring to use. I want to like them, I really do.,,,,BD

This is the latest Campy lever I have tried to use. Early 90's? See how low the pivot point is?

https://ruedatropical.com/wp-content/...ake-levers.jpg

Bikedued

The saddest part of the whole deal? I sold the bike that I put that crank on. The custom painted copper colored Schwinn SS. I wish I had kept it, to put back onto the Falcon. Although, I think I have found the frame to build up next? Chevy orange engine is a spot on match, so fixing the paint problems will be easy. It was a Frankenstein so the crank may have been the only original component.,,,,BD

Sorry, not trying to derail the thread.