What levers are these and should I replace them?
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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.
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.
#2
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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.
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.
#3
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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.
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.
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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.
Unless the new hoods/levers are a dis-comfortable component for you.
edit: for Eroica CA, aero levers are not a disqualifier.
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#5
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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
Thanks for the input
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Thanks for the reply. I am aware that CA allows for aero, I rode this bike in Gaiole last year and plan to again this year. They are a little more strict about the cable thing for that event.
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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.
Rustines hoods for your campy levers are pretty good and readily available. Hoods for Shimano levers are hard to come by.
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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.
#9
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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.
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.
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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.
took me 6 months to find a set.
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As others have mentioned, those are Super Record levers, produced from the mid-70s to the mid-80s.
Unless you have a particular fondness for other levers, I'd keep them.
Or find some of the Modolo "anatomic" lever hoods (or clones thereof):
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.
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Wanna swap?
.
.
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Appreciate the offer - If I take them off, I have another build to use them on.
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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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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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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.
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#18
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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.
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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????)
#20
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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.
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I use a Dremel tool, and I've never found one that can provided the torque needed to drill through steel.
DD
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#22
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Regardless, they are extremely tough levers compared to most of the competitors of the time. .
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Nah. Nope. Uh-uh. And yes, I have a basis for comparison. Campy wins for functionality on all fronts, plus is better finished in the bargain.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it
DD
That's my story and I'm sticking to it
DD
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