Ciao A Campagnolo
 

I've never owned any Campy. In fact, in the past, I've been pretty damn militant about not owning any Campy. "What does it do that SunTour can't do as well or better?" I've blustered.

That's about to change. I recently came into ownership of a '74 Raleigh Professional frame and fork, and had considered either a Torpedo 3-speed ("tin can ten") build, or a ST Cyclone Gen I. But after due consideration, I think this is going to be what crosses me over to The Dark Side. I think I'm going to do the most accurate restoration I can.

So, some questions:

What do I need to be aware of when buying Nuovo Record parts? I'm aware of the crankarm problem (parenthetically, why do these breakage-prone parts cost so damn much?!) and I've been told that the NR rear mech can in fact be adjusted so it shifts halfway decent; but is there anything else I should keep in mind? Like, do they take a sui generis size of cable or some such stupid thing like that?

And... once seen, can all this be unseen? Can I go back to my beloved Cyclone and Superbe without cringing in shame for having abandoned it, if only once, if only for a moment?

Thanks,
Blight

No.

that is actually no help at all.

So whats the best bike you have? Its the one your are riding at the time...

That said and money in hand a restoration is a true work of art - Restoration is more than being just a rider or a mechanic - The campy parts cost so much cause they always have - Even when they were cheap they were expensive - Going vintage means finding those old parts in good shape - Luckily they do in fact hold up well - Take it slow and just buy your random parts as you go along - You don't have to follow a regular formula - I am putting together a PR-10 and was tempted to go modern Campy Veloce for the price - But I broke weak and went Vintage Novo Recordo when I found a set of derailuers on ebay for a fair price (notice I did not say good price) - If your 74 comes with headset and bottom bracket you are well on your way - I love to see a restore or even just the attempt of one - I have seen some vintage campy bikes with Di-Compe brakes and they looked great, but I knew the builder was just waiting for those Campy levers to surface somewhere - Got any?

I actually have an in with a Campy re-seller. I just don't want to pay his freight because I know what he buys the parts for!!

I'm in no hurry on this, and some preliminary eBay scanning tells me that the real money is probably going to be spent on the 3ttt/Maes bar combo. I have other bikes to ride. I talked to my paint guy today, he owes me a solid and is going to color-match and spot-paint the frame where it's badly chipped. Minor nicks and scuffs I can stand, as they are marks of honest wear; and I don't want to have to replace the decals.

But.... GEEEEAZ, two hundred bucks and up for a 40-year-old crankset? Guys, there's gotta be a better way to do this!! OMG. I can't help but notice that slightly newer Super Record sells for what I consider to be MUCH better prices. And I do not for one second believe that there is anything "magical" about NR. I do not take resale value into this for even a minute, as I intend to keep this frame until I am looking at the grass from the dirty side.

To be sure you may find some damaged campy parts - But I have not seen any that had drastically hidden damage - I personally find Japanese bike parts for lack of a better word "SMOOTH" and Campy parts "CRISP" - I would try not to put Italian parts on a FUJI or Japanese parts on a LIOTTO - But having personally know Giovani Liotto Jr he would have said - What ever bike you are riding at the time...

I hope this helps somehow...

I have always found Campagnolo parts to be excellent... trade bait.

Happened upon a partial C Record group and really do like the look and have always appreciated the precision that Campagnolo parts are made with but like you, have a greater fondness for Suntour, especially the Cyclone as that is what I cut my teeth on when I started riding a road bike and it was flawless then, and is flawless now.

Who says you need an NR crank... many older Campy equipped bikes were equipped with the best cranks of the day which were Stronglight.

I am still deciding what direction to take with my Cooper... if a friend would just part with his Zeus crankset my decision would probably be made.

It would of course be a downgrade from what I am running now... :)

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/2011cooper1.JPG

I remember - On the Liottos which were typically Campy you would find UNIVERSAL, MAVIC, CORSA or GIPIEMME brakes, wheel sets and head sets - Don't worry man, the parts will find you as they want to - Your going to make them a great home and a great ride...

Nuovo record rears can be had for a fairly reasonable price but yes, the cranks and brakes are going to set you back. Keep an eye out for a little used Rear on ebay, with good, little used jockey wheels/pulleys. They tend to crack with age but of course, can be replaced with something else. Good on you for doing this. Nuovo Record wasn't "better" than Suntour, but it did, and still does, have a certain panache and there is no component group more beautiful, IMO. And there is no disputing its quality. That frame is worth it.

I hope this thread doesn't start a Campy love/hate diatribe, but it's probably un-avoidable.

You might want to consider buying a Campy NR equipped bike and harvest the parts.

What are the issues with the crank arms? I've never heard of one breaking and I've managed to get 30 years out of my oldest NR group with no real problems. The only problems I've ever had over the last three decades have been a(n) NR bottom bracket wearing out after 16 years (probably due to contamination) and one rear axle breaking after spreading the rear triangle and adding more gears back there.

Some of them, not many, had a tendency to develop hairline cracks where the crank arm met the spider. Mine never have but some do, perhaps from hard use and/or a very slight design flaw.

I am sure some one has mentioned this but... if you ever used a QR skewer or a modern rear derailleur I believe you have Mr Campagnolo to thank for them.

NR is a inexpensive compared to the Super Record stuff. Just get your BB axle length correctly and you'll be set. The only annoying part of all the NR and SR Rear derailleur is, the proprietary coiled housing with special ferrules on each end.

Cranksets are expensive? All of mine are bought for $30 and under. Every single one of them. Visit hole-in-the-wall bike shops, and ask about Campagnolo. You'll find something, sooner or later.

The trick of NR builds is to have everything on hand, plus spares. Extra BB spindles of various lengths come to mind.

-Kurt

P.S.: Nothing against a Cyclone Professional, in my book. I've seen Cyclone Paramounts; equipped that way by certain shops.

.....Except this one ;)

This is the route I would go.

I have three bikes with Super Record (one Japanese), 3 bikes with Nuovo Record, lot's with Superbe and Cyclone, and 1 with first generation Dura Ace.

They all function exceptionally well, especially the DA. However, the Campagnolo gear always get's the most comments at the coffee shop.

Scott

WOW - Thats nice...

And this one:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...s/DSC_0061.jpg

Scott

+1 on a donor bike. If you are price sensitive then this will be the way to go.
The crank arm crack deal is over worked. Check, but spider arm cracks are the generally not fatal. I do get concerned about toe or ankle rub marks, especially the toe strap region. I will avoid those, plenty last a long time. But of the failures I saw way back, all the arms had "rub polish" regions. There is a way to check for this but plenty are not marked. All the broken arms also had evidence of a crack that should have been visible, if the owner had inspected the bike.

Yes, and I think, but have no empirical evidence to support it, that a crack in the crank might be avoided by putting a slight radius on the sharp edge where the arm meets the spider, back side, with a fine jeweler's file. The subject is a bit over-blown though.
And Kurt, $30 bucks for NR cranks? Good deal. Not around here though. All the LBS guys here are hip to flogging the stuff on feeBay.

What does Campy do better than Suntour? Does staying in business count?

SP
Bend, OR

Aesthetics. But that's just an opinion, of course. Looks aren't everything, but they're important on a true classic....I believe.