Campagnolo Cambio Corsa question
08-09-11, 04:14 PM
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Campagnolo Cambio Corsa question
I've been trying to research what group would have been on the bike when the cambio corsa rear derailleur was introduced but can't find the information. The earliest group I see that was introduced was Gran Sport but that was a completely new derailleur. I'm restoring a circa 1949 one of hand built Italian bike and want to make it completely Campy but not sure what brakes and levers to look for to keep it vintage. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Zona55
Thanks
Zona55
08-09-11, 04:19 PM
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very nice
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08-09-11, 04:49 PM
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Cool bike, Campagnolo patented the Cambio around 1940 and it was first produced around 1946 or so. The only other product Campagnolo produced at the time was the quick release lever. Italians of that era would ride Universal brakes.
08-09-11, 04:53 PM
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The first "Gruppo" sold as such was Record in the very late 50's. Which was Gran Sport shifting, Record hubs, the then new Record crankset, and a headset that I'm not really clear if was called Gran Sport or Record.
What's on your bike now, Magistroni? It's probably correct.
What's on your bike now, Magistroni? It's probably correct.
08-09-11, 06:03 PM
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For brakes, Universal Model 39 as seen here, https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/universal.html or Balilla had a very similar brake, as seen here https://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/...illa1.jpg.html . I think Balilla was more popular back in the day based on the greater number of Balilla ads that I have seen in various publications.
For more info on Campagnolo, start with the timeline, https://www.velo-retro.com/tline.html
Campagnolo catalog scans, https://www.velobase.com/Resource_Too...alogScans.aspx
More info, https://www.campyonly.com/
For more info on Campagnolo, start with the timeline, https://www.velo-retro.com/tline.html
Campagnolo catalog scans, https://www.velobase.com/Resource_Too...alogScans.aspx
More info, https://www.campyonly.com/
08-09-11, 06:17 PM
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I wonder how many Cambio Corsa citybikes have turned into racers over the years...
08-09-11, 06:29 PM
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While the bars may not be original to the bike, they do appear period correct for the late 40s. I was tempted by a cambio corsa citybike on Italian ebay a few weeks ago, although I believe the proper terminology would be a sport bike. It was a sweet bike.
08-09-11, 07:08 PM
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Cambio Corsa shifting seems daunting enough without attempting to execute shifts in city traffic!
Is it as difficult to operate as it appears or is it more like a Simplex Competition Front derailleur....looks scary but is actually quite simple to use.
Is it as difficult to operate as it appears or is it more like a Simplex Competition Front derailleur....looks scary but is actually quite simple to use.
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08-09-11, 07:32 PM
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I forgot, a video on how to shift a cambio corsa, https://aldoblog2008.blogspot.com/201...ooljersey.html
And if you want, how to shift the Paris-Roubaix https://aldoblog2008.blogspot.com/201...s-roubaix.html and https://aldoblog2008.blogspot.com/201...aix-close.html
And if you want, how to shift the Paris-Roubaix https://aldoblog2008.blogspot.com/201...s-roubaix.html and https://aldoblog2008.blogspot.com/201...aix-close.html
08-09-11, 08:13 PM
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"When your tool is a hammer [quick release hub], every problem [variable-ratio drive] looks like a nail [Cambio Corsa]." Sort of ingenious, but mercifully short-lived. Riding a CC-equipped bike is probably akin to driving a Model T -- completely unconventional/unfamiliar gear change.
Frank Berto has a picture of a CC coupled w/ a Simplex Competition suicide front shifter -- that must be quite an interesting combination to shift, particularly if one wants to go through all 10 of the half-step ratios, rather than simply treating it as a 6-speed crossover (L1, L2, L3, H3, H4, H5).
Frank Berto has a picture of a CC coupled w/ a Simplex Competition suicide front shifter -- that must be quite an interesting combination to shift, particularly if one wants to go through all 10 of the half-step ratios, rather than simply treating it as a 6-speed crossover (L1, L2, L3, H3, H4, H5).
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 08-09-11 at 08:16 PM.
08-09-11, 08:31 PM
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I've always have been a fan of Cambio Corsa.
08-09-11, 08:44 PM
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17 years is short-lived?
CC is 4 speeds. And who goes through all half-step ratios? Chain line was paramount prior to 1950 and argueably into the late 50s. Cross-chaining caused too much friction. Pulleys caused too much friction. It was always the crossover pattern you posted.
CC is 4 speeds. And who goes through all half-step ratios? Chain line was paramount prior to 1950 and argueably into the late 50s. Cross-chaining caused too much friction. Pulleys caused too much friction. It was always the crossover pattern you posted.
08-10-11, 04:18 AM
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I love the knobs on the QR nuts, they strongly remind me of governor weights for a steam engine.
.JPG)
08-10-11, 06:04 AM
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Girardenghista
It's actually not that tough to shift it. It just takes a bit of dexterity and thought each time - not quite like Ergopower! I did the l'Eroica 205km last year with cc, and plan to do it this year with a Paris-Roubaix. I only missed one shift the whole time, and that was due to the early hour and excitement level of trying to keep up with a group that had more than four gears! The more you ride it, you become comfortable with it.
I have a number of posts on my blog with some cc content if you're interested. Don't ask me about getting a t-shirt (yet)! https://rorymasini.blogspot.com/search/label/Epoca
Also, I think that what you see as sport/city bikes with cc began their lives as racers, only to get converted as the owner grew older. It's fairly common in Italy to convert these back into racers. Regarding parts, you're looking at Ambrosio for bars, stems and rims and I really think Universal brakes were more prevalent. I have a sets of both Uni's and Ballilas, but the latter seems harder to come by, advertisements or not. Universal just seems to pop up on more bikes from that era that I have seen, at least those that have survived.
ciao...
I have a number of posts on my blog with some cc content if you're interested. Don't ask me about getting a t-shirt (yet)! https://rorymasini.blogspot.com/search/label/Epoca
Also, I think that what you see as sport/city bikes with cc began their lives as racers, only to get converted as the owner grew older. It's fairly common in Italy to convert these back into racers. Regarding parts, you're looking at Ambrosio for bars, stems and rims and I really think Universal brakes were more prevalent. I have a sets of both Uni's and Ballilas, but the latter seems harder to come by, advertisements or not. Universal just seems to pop up on more bikes from that era that I have seen, at least those that have survived.
ciao...
08-10-11, 08:51 AM
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08-10-11, 09:31 AM
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It's actually not that tough to shift it. It just takes a bit of dexterity and thought each time - not quite like Ergopower! I did the l'Eroica 205km last year with cc, and plan to do it this year with a Paris-Roubaix. I only missed one shift the whole time, and that was due to the early hour and excitement level of trying to keep up with a group that had more than four gears! The more you ride it, you become comfortable with it..
You've got some great stuff on your blog.
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08-10-11, 09:36 AM
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Kurt, I got those pictures off an ebay auction. They were so well done, I had to save them.
08-10-11, 09:38 AM
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08-15-11, 04:38 PM
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Thanks for all the GREAT info on this rear derailleur guys and gals. I'll try to post more pics as soon as I can. The brakes are Universal Model 39, unfortunately the brake levers don't seem to match what is shown in the photo that iab's link shows. When I put it back together The fenders, chain guard, and seat will not be making it back on the bike. Either Selle Italia or Brooks will be my saddle choice. Thanks again for all your help.
08-15-11, 06:48 PM
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Man, now I want a Campag pie plate.
08-17-11, 12:17 PM
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Beautiful hardware, but DT shifters are enough of a concern for me when going downhill or over rough terrain. 
08-17-11, 05:29 PM
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Plus, Cambio Corsa was light and reliable. Two very influential elements when it comes to racing bike components.
