10-08-2021, 01:13 AM
Finally getting some time off; was too tired to be riding or building, but now jumping back into gear.
I am getting ready to build-up a couple older frames (50s-70s), and was going through my parts supplies trying to determine what I had and what I might use. In doing so I am finding I have more than I thought or completely forgot about, and what I have varies a bit between like models so I figured I would start to document a few of them here for reference purposes before they get mounted, traded, or sold. Parts range from never mounted, to well used but perfectly functional; to "for parts only", or for the sake of curiosity (either given to me, or salvaged).
I will start with some Campagnolo stuff since I plan on knocking out a couple bikes with these items; right now just deciding on which particular units to fit the need in no particular order of year or quality. I am not a historian on this stuff just providing what bit of info I can; with Campy stuff I have found that official documentation is not always accurate relating both to dates of introduction and cessation, and also relating to specific details (incorrect diagrams and photos). Someone always seems to have something before it was officially introduced, and somebody always has a variant that was not documented in any company catalog so take everything I put forth with a grain of salt except the actual photos which are of units I have. Furthermore, if you can add anything to the mix it would be welcome by myself, and I am sure by others; be it anecdotal or firsthand knowledge, as well as more photographic documentation (please try to use only your own photos, or credit photos to their proper origin).
NUOVO GRAN SPORT REAR DERAILLEUR (1973?-1984?)
Starting with the "NUOVO GRAN SPORT" which was probably entry to mid level below "NUOVO RECORD" (1968?-1987?, approx. 195g) and "SUPER RECORD" (1973?-1987?, approx. 185g) equipment, and I would assume it was meant to replace the old "GRAN SPORT" (1951?-1973?; 290g) and "RECORD" (1963-early 70s?; 325g) units. It certainly was better than the VALENTINO and VELOX units which were still made around the same time frame, and it is much lighter than previous models aside from the top end "NUOVO RECORD" from the late 60s which even then only weighed about 15g lighter. I should modify one with alloy cage plates in place of the steel ones just to see the weight difference; I believe it may be lighter than the "NUOVO" unit at that point.
I believe "NUOVO GRAN SPORT" came into use in the early to mid 70s and stopped being manufactured in the mid 80s. I know have 2 specific versions (1st and 2nd gen.) and I have seen a third variant (later 1st gen. variant?) which may have been due to a replacement lower pivot bolt (upper bolt was missing on example). The main changes were made in the very early 80s from what I can tell from having stripped a few off of bikes as original equipment.
The early 1st generation version with "PATENT CAMPAGNOLO" on flathead pivot bolts weighs approx. 217g complete (with limit screw "knobs"); the later 2nd generation version weighs approx. 220g (unit w/o limit screw "knobs") (Edit: I have a note on Velobase stating the weight of a "NOS" 2nd gen. unit I have is 240g. I am not sure why the later version weighs more with less parts ("knobs") on it other than differences in milling and slightly different knuckle castings, but I use an old balance scale which has about a +/-1g tolerance. I have a couple examples of both the early and later variants and they are identical (per variant) except as noted, and those having had replacement pulleys installed.
The early version differs from the later variant in the following details: "B" & "P" pivot bolts as well as the cable clamp bolt have flat heads with "PATENT CAMPAGNOLO" (later 1st gen. variant has no script on flathead bolts, 2nd gen. unit has concave headed bolts w/o any lettering); both limit adjustment screws have plastic "knobs" (which to me serve no real purpose except to add weight and prevent dirt and debris intrusion) (l have 2 later variants; one has these, the other has none) (these knobs may have been an option; as they are also found on various year "NUOVO RECORD" units I have); the pulley cage outer plate has 4 holes for cage tension setting and is slightly different in looks in that it has a somewhat sharper edge to the "lip" on the outer and inner cut-out edges (later variant has only 2 tension holes, and flatter "lip" edges); "P" knuckle casting is slightly different at the groove between pivot pins (one later variant looks the same, it also has "knobs; the other one looks different); the "B" knuckle casting at the cable stop is about 1mm shorter than the later variant; the milling for the pivot bolt head at the "B" knuckle ends with rather distinctly sharp edges (one later variant, again the one with the knobs, is similar; whereas the other one has a rounded concave edged milling); the milling for the pivot bolt head at the "P" knuckle extends further out from the bolt head approximately 4mm (the later variant is milled just beyond the edges of the bolt head approximately 1.5mm).
All units have the same pulley cage inner plate design.
There is a variant of the first generation (see post #12) that has no markings on the upper and lower pivot bolts; year of introduction unknown, but estimate mid to late '70s.
Identical features of early and later variant: aluminum parallelogram plates, knuckles and pivot pins (solid); steel pulley cage plates, springs, spring housing, and hardware; high limit screw anti-rotation spring is longer than that for low limit screw (screws are the same length); original pulleys are plastic 10T without any markings. Plastic "knobs" removed from limit screws reduce weight about 1.5g.
Opinion: this is a decent and reliable unit with similar performance to Campagnolo's higher level models less the weight difference. It can readily be upgraded with aluminum pulley cage plates, drilled plates, and/or alloy "B" pivot bolt (reduce weight), and some nice sealed bearing pulleys (colored to match frame is a nice touch too). Perfect for 70s and 80s era vintage bikes, or a very good upgrade for earlier bikes using lesser equipment. Aesthetically it is a nice looking unit; not real fancy, but it has the looks of a well made quality unit.
Value: as of 2021 this unit, in good to excellent condition, will sell around $40-$60; maybe $75-$100 if a "new-old-stock" unit. If you need one just wait, they are regularly on sale somewhere at a reasonable price. I have seen folks asking well over $100 for a used unit, and it wasn't gold plated!
I am getting ready to build-up a couple older frames (50s-70s), and was going through my parts supplies trying to determine what I had and what I might use. In doing so I am finding I have more than I thought or completely forgot about, and what I have varies a bit between like models so I figured I would start to document a few of them here for reference purposes before they get mounted, traded, or sold. Parts range from never mounted, to well used but perfectly functional; to "for parts only", or for the sake of curiosity (either given to me, or salvaged).
I will start with some Campagnolo stuff since I plan on knocking out a couple bikes with these items; right now just deciding on which particular units to fit the need in no particular order of year or quality. I am not a historian on this stuff just providing what bit of info I can; with Campy stuff I have found that official documentation is not always accurate relating both to dates of introduction and cessation, and also relating to specific details (incorrect diagrams and photos). Someone always seems to have something before it was officially introduced, and somebody always has a variant that was not documented in any company catalog so take everything I put forth with a grain of salt except the actual photos which are of units I have. Furthermore, if you can add anything to the mix it would be welcome by myself, and I am sure by others; be it anecdotal or firsthand knowledge, as well as more photographic documentation (please try to use only your own photos, or credit photos to their proper origin).
NUOVO GRAN SPORT REAR DERAILLEUR (1973?-1984?)
Starting with the "NUOVO GRAN SPORT" which was probably entry to mid level below "NUOVO RECORD" (1968?-1987?, approx. 195g) and "SUPER RECORD" (1973?-1987?, approx. 185g) equipment, and I would assume it was meant to replace the old "GRAN SPORT" (1951?-1973?; 290g) and "RECORD" (1963-early 70s?; 325g) units. It certainly was better than the VALENTINO and VELOX units which were still made around the same time frame, and it is much lighter than previous models aside from the top end "NUOVO RECORD" from the late 60s which even then only weighed about 15g lighter. I should modify one with alloy cage plates in place of the steel ones just to see the weight difference; I believe it may be lighter than the "NUOVO" unit at that point.
I believe "NUOVO GRAN SPORT" came into use in the early to mid 70s and stopped being manufactured in the mid 80s. I know have 2 specific versions (1st and 2nd gen.) and I have seen a third variant (later 1st gen. variant?) which may have been due to a replacement lower pivot bolt (upper bolt was missing on example). The main changes were made in the very early 80s from what I can tell from having stripped a few off of bikes as original equipment.
The early 1st generation version with "PATENT CAMPAGNOLO" on flathead pivot bolts weighs approx. 217g complete (with limit screw "knobs"); the later 2nd generation version weighs approx. 220g (unit w/o limit screw "knobs") (Edit: I have a note on Velobase stating the weight of a "NOS" 2nd gen. unit I have is 240g. I am not sure why the later version weighs more with less parts ("knobs") on it other than differences in milling and slightly different knuckle castings, but I use an old balance scale which has about a +/-1g tolerance. I have a couple examples of both the early and later variants and they are identical (per variant) except as noted, and those having had replacement pulleys installed.
The early version differs from the later variant in the following details: "B" & "P" pivot bolts as well as the cable clamp bolt have flat heads with "PATENT CAMPAGNOLO" (later 1st gen. variant has no script on flathead bolts, 2nd gen. unit has concave headed bolts w/o any lettering); both limit adjustment screws have plastic "knobs" (which to me serve no real purpose except to add weight and prevent dirt and debris intrusion) (l have 2 later variants; one has these, the other has none) (these knobs may have been an option; as they are also found on various year "NUOVO RECORD" units I have); the pulley cage outer plate has 4 holes for cage tension setting and is slightly different in looks in that it has a somewhat sharper edge to the "lip" on the outer and inner cut-out edges (later variant has only 2 tension holes, and flatter "lip" edges); "P" knuckle casting is slightly different at the groove between pivot pins (one later variant looks the same, it also has "knobs; the other one looks different); the "B" knuckle casting at the cable stop is about 1mm shorter than the later variant; the milling for the pivot bolt head at the "B" knuckle ends with rather distinctly sharp edges (one later variant, again the one with the knobs, is similar; whereas the other one has a rounded concave edged milling); the milling for the pivot bolt head at the "P" knuckle extends further out from the bolt head approximately 4mm (the later variant is milled just beyond the edges of the bolt head approximately 1.5mm).
All units have the same pulley cage inner plate design.
There is a variant of the first generation (see post #12) that has no markings on the upper and lower pivot bolts; year of introduction unknown, but estimate mid to late '70s.
Identical features of early and later variant: aluminum parallelogram plates, knuckles and pivot pins (solid); steel pulley cage plates, springs, spring housing, and hardware; high limit screw anti-rotation spring is longer than that for low limit screw (screws are the same length); original pulleys are plastic 10T without any markings. Plastic "knobs" removed from limit screws reduce weight about 1.5g.
Opinion: this is a decent and reliable unit with similar performance to Campagnolo's higher level models less the weight difference. It can readily be upgraded with aluminum pulley cage plates, drilled plates, and/or alloy "B" pivot bolt (reduce weight), and some nice sealed bearing pulleys (colored to match frame is a nice touch too). Perfect for 70s and 80s era vintage bikes, or a very good upgrade for earlier bikes using lesser equipment. Aesthetically it is a nice looking unit; not real fancy, but it has the looks of a well made quality unit.
Value: as of 2021 this unit, in good to excellent condition, will sell around $40-$60; maybe $75-$100 if a "new-old-stock" unit. If you need one just wait, they are regularly on sale somewhere at a reasonable price. I have seen folks asking well over $100 for a used unit, and it wasn't gold plated!
Take care,
Jesper
"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
Jesper
"I am become Death, the destroyer of bicycles." NJS
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