What levers are these and should I replace them?
I need to swap out the bar /stem combo on my Merckx and I am contemplating whether to replace the Campy levers below. The entire bike is D/A 7400 / 7402 with the exception of these Campy levers. 2 questions for the forum -
1. Any idea of what Campy levers these are? 2. Would you swap them out (if you were me) for a period correct Shimano set? I have a set of Shimano 600's, and it seems like non areo 7400's are not to hard to find. While period correct would likely be areo, this is my Eroica bike and I want to keep it non areo. I am more about function than being a purist, but welcome the input. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d807dc842b.jpg |
Originally Posted by Thalia949
(Post 21354435)
I need to swap out the bar /stem combo on my Merckx and I am contemplating whether to replace the Campy levers below. The entire bike is D/A 7400 / 7402 with the exception of these Campy levers. 2 questions for the forum -
1. Any idea of what Campy levers these are? 2. Would you swap them out (if you were me) for a period correct Shimano set? I have a set of Shimano 600's, and it seems like non areo 7400's are not to hard to find. While period correct would likely be areo, this is my Eroica bike and I want to keep it non areo. I am more about function than being a purist, but welcome the input. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d807dc842b.jpg |
Just my opinion. Shimano 600 and DA levers prior to 7400 were inferior to campy super record and record levers.
What is your reason for wanting to replace the levers? If you want a modern lever that allows you to comfortably ride on the hoods all the time, look at the TRP RRL. |
I would vote for a matched groupset.
Unless the new hoods/levers are a dis-comfortable component for you. edit: for Eroica CA, aero levers are not a disqualifier. |
I'm generally an in the drops rider. It is more about a matched groupset. But the Campy levers work and are beautiful.
Thanks for the input |
Originally Posted by Wildwood
(Post 21354531)
I would vote for a matched groupset.
Unless the new hoods/levers are a dis-comfortable component for you. edit: for Eroica CA, aero levers are not a disqualifier. |
I would want the levers to match the brakes but...
Rustines hoods for your campy levers are pretty good and readily available. Hoods for Shimano levers are hard to come by. |
I concur, the levers appear to be Campagnolo Super Record. However, I would match the levers to the calipers. I can't positively identity the version of the calipers from the picture, but they will work better with the matching levers, particularly if they are the later SLR version (BR-7402). These calipers have a lighter return spring and work best with teflon lined cable housing and spring assisted levers.
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^^^ Good point about the hoods classtime. If you went with 7400 levers, the original non aero flavor is probably going to be easier to get decent fitting hoods for. Shimano and hood compatibility can be an obstacle. They may not be optimum though, according to T-mar..
Just to clarify, what I said about pre 7400 dura ace doesn't apply to 7400, which is excellent stuff. I'd probably want the levers to match too. |
Im with you on a matching groupset. Id leave them on until u find a set of DA levers. Theyre hard to come by with oem hoods.
took me 6 months to find a set. |
Originally Posted by Thalia949
(Post 21354435)
1. Any idea of what Campy levers these are?
2. Would you swap them out (if you were me) for a period correct Shimano set? I have a set of Shimano 600's, and it seems like non areo 7400's are not to hard to find.
Originally Posted by Salamandrine
(Post 21354517)
What is your reason for wanting to replace the levers? If you want a modern lever that allows you to comfortably ride on the hoods all the time, look at the TRP RRL.
https://www.benscycle.com/Assets/pro...ge/312-104.jpg |
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Good swap deal there,
|
Appreciate the offer - If I take them off, I have another build to use them on.
|
Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 21354632)
I concur, the levers appear to be Campagnolo Super Record. However, I would match the levers to the calipers. I can't positively identity the version of the calipers from the picture, but they will work better with the matching levers, particularly if they are the later SLR version (BR-7402). These calipers have a lighter return spring and work best with teflon lined cable housing and spring assisted levers.
|
Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 21354632)
I can't positively identity the version of the calipers from the picture, but they will work better with the matching levers, particularly if they are the later SLR version (BR-7402). These calipers have a lighter return spring and work best with teflon lined cable housing and spring assisted levers.
Originally Posted by Thalia949
(Post 21355316)
Thanks for the reply. They function great, no issues. It is all about aesthetics if I make the change. The brakes are 7402’s, even with the non matching levers they have great stopping power and modulation.
|
Originally Posted by Salamandrine
(Post 21354517)
Just my opinion. Shimano 600 and DA levers prior to 7400 were inferior to campy super record and record levers.
I've used the 6207 levers- the slotted style and find those as nice as Superbe. I have not used the earlier "shield" logo 600 levers. |
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
(Post 21356761)
Actual question- what do you feel makes the Campagnolo levers better? How do Campagnolo levers differ from Superbe?
Campagnolo levers have a steel body and are nearly crash proof. The pay a bit of a weight penalty for it, but it was handy for racing juniors BITD. Crashes were a regular occurrence, and having to fork out cash for new brake levers would have gotten expensive fast. I feel sorry for teenagers now, those brifters aren't cheap and really aren't crash proof at all. Superbe are pretty much a clone of campy levers, and basically equivalent in quality. They were a bit lighter because of an aluminum body. (IIRC - can someone verify this?) Cost was basically the same as campy, though I think at first it was a bit cheaper. Superbe was respected by the racing set. Main reason campy parts in general were more popular was that it cost around the same, but parts were readily available. As you know the later Superbe Pro stuff had some differences. |
Identifying Super Record
Kind of off-topic, but... how would you identify Super Record levers from what else Campy offered during that time (Record, Nuovo Record????)
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Originally Posted by Bianchi84
(Post 21356870)
Kind of off-topic, but... how would you identify Super Record levers from what else Campy offered during that time (Record, Nuovo Record????)
There was never a NR brake lever or brake set. Below Record/Super Record was Gran Sport. I can't remember if those levers were different than record or not, but they came with black hoods. |
Originally Posted by Salamandrine
(Post 21356853)
Campagnolo levers have a steel body and are nearly crash proof. The pay a bit of a weight penalty for it...
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e38504bc19.jpg I use a Dremel tool, and I've never found one that can provided the torque needed to drill through steel. DD |
Originally Posted by Drillium Dude
(Post 21356942)
Campy lever bodies are actually made out of aluminum. How do I know this? I've drilled out a few pairs:
I use a Dremel tool, and I've never found one that can provided the torque needed to drill through steel. Regardless, they are extremely tough levers compared to most of the competitors of the time. . |
Originally Posted by malcala622
(Post 21354762)
Good swap deal there,
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Originally Posted by Salamandrine
(Post 21354517)
Just my opinion. Shimano 600 and DA levers prior to 7400 were inferior to campy super record and record lever
Just sayin... |
Originally Posted by Wileyone
(Post 21357282)
Suntour Superbe's were nicer than all of them.
Just sayin... That's my story and I'm sticking to it :) DD |
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