Campagnolo Nuovo Valentino Extra
 

I spotted one of these on Craigslist today for a good price, and I figured I had no reason not to buy it:

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/830/dsc00028jp.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7669/dsc00027ql.jpg

I've never used one before (in fact, I'd never even seen one in person before today)... I have read a somewhat lackluster review of the model on Disraeli Gears, however! I'm curious... is the Valentino under-rated or under-appreciated, or did I buy something that I should only use as a cool-looking paperweight?

Also, what sorts of bikes came from the factory with these dérailleurs? Mostly Italian mid-range? (my personal wild guess)

...it's the fault of this forum that I now find dérailleurs cool and interesting enough to collect... I'm not sure whether I should thank y'all, or blame you for it! :D

The Valentino was found on mid to lower level bikes. Named after Tullio's son, I believe. It was nothing too special but was functional. Now, if you really wanted a good paperweight you might look for a Gran Turismo, considered by many to be the worst derailleur Campagnolo ever put their name on. Having said all that, I like these old Campy derailleurs. They have a touch of Italian soul.

I can't say I've heard of a Nuovo Valentino, just a Valentino. In the late '60s they were ubiquitous (at least in Chicago) on low-end Italian bikes with wingnuts, 1020 steel frames, and rock-hard leather saddles that could break in until you got them soaked. Not long after 1969 or so the same bikes began to appear with Japanese derailleur systems that were heavier. I've always liked the looks of the Gran Turismo. The Val was an improvement over an earlier rear mech that had only one roller wheel.

You didn't buy the math homework, too, did you?

Those derailleurs are every bit as much fun as algebra.

Strangely, I kinda like both!

I've always liked the looks of the Gran Turismo too, so much so I bought a NOS one a while back even though I had no use for it other than to admire its big, chromed scimitar-like pulley cages. An odd and somewhat ugly beast, and I understand they didn't shift worth a dang, but I remember seeing them in the display case back in the early 70's next to the pretty Nuovo Records. I eventually bought a NR as an upgrade for my bike, but the G Turismo always held a spot in my heart, for some reason.

I installed a Nuovo Valentino once, got it adjusted so it worked flawlessly, and went out for a ride. I guess I went about three miles before I shifted into the spokes, after which I had to walk home. Later I learned they were famous for not staying in adjustment.

Of course I don't now know that I really had it adjusted correctly to begin with; suffice it to say I thought I did. This would make me very cautious to use one again.

I guess if I came upon a time capsule Italian bike boom bike in my size, I'd leave the Valentino on it just 'cuz, just to keep it original. But other than that, I don't think I'd ever use one.

Campy Nouvo Valentino...
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...illeurRear.jpg

Probably the only reason why they received a bad rap; save for the underwhelming finish. In theory, its geometry is no different than Nuovo Record.

-Kurt

Actually, I think there's a little more to it than that.

Compare Barouder's photos with randy'jawas. The derailleur in randyjawa's photo has rivets with nice, clean, round donut-shaped heads, which have been smashed flat on the other one. Whoever smashed the rivets flat on Barouder's derailleur, I'm sure they had good reason to do it!

They look as if they're cheap replacements.

-Kurt

Valentino Campagnolo must have known how Henry Ford's son Edsel must have felt like.

Yes, but, look at Edsels today. Pretty collectible. Valentino derailleurs? well .... maybe some day.

Note also the cage change between these two examples. I wonder if the later one was the "Nuovo" upgrade.

One is just ugly (Edsel).

The other is ugly junk (Valentino RD).

-Kurt

I hope we're not bursting your bubble too much here, Baroudeur.

Haha, not at all! I think that all of this criticism might be part of the reason the Valentino seems so neat to me... the thing is Campagnolo, but it's not one of 'the usual suspects', as it were! Nuovo Record is very pretty and perhaps much more functional, but there's something the Valentino has which the Nuovo Record doesn't, in that way...

...uh oh, I'm starting to sound like a hipster, aren't I? "Nuovo Record is too mainstream... y'all don't 'get' the Valentino!" :lol:

...and call me a masochist, but I'd love to have a Gran Turismo! I might not end up using it, of course... I believe you guys when you say it's terrible... but I just feel like it would be neat to have one.

I agree. The Gran Turismo is big, gaudy, strange looking and ...dare I say it, beautiful. I'm keeping my eye out for a NOS Velox to add to my collection of display case Campy jewelry. Enjoy your Valentino. It has a certain charm.

Ah, so mine is just regular Valentino, based on the pulley cage?

I sure did! College isn't free... though I wish it were!

...you can tell I was tired when I was working on that, by the way... I doubt the Euler phi function is often accompanied on the same sheet of paper by such difficult calculations as 2(3)=6...!

The Nuovo Record is VERY functional, within its limits, it stays in adjustment, and it is a rigid structure that only moves the way you tell it.

Just don't include that page when you submit your thesis.

I just gave a GT away in a pile of parts to a fellow member. All he wanted was a Schwinn approved Suntour unit and he got nearly every front and rear derailleur I own...including a Gran Turismo. I believe that was the largest and heaviest derailleur I've ever seen. Those cages were pretty cool looking though. That thing could of doubled as a weapon.

It seems to be a bit simpler than this earlier affair.
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Ita...ag_3_lever.htm

you'd have to have a pal running along side you to shift that thing. Never seen one before. Thanks.
And yes, Baroudeur, Frank Berto states in his book The Dancing Chain, that they used that delta-shaped pulley cage for the last few years of production on the Valentino.