The Racing Bicycle Comes Of Age 1939-1953 |
Gino Bartali shifting the Campagnolo Cambio Corsa during his 1948 Tour de France win |
Competing with Campagnolo's Cambio Corsa was the Simplex derailleurs of Lucien Juy. Using tension pulleys, cables, plunger springs, and pull chains, the derailleurs did find many supporters in the ranks of the profesional bicycle racers |
Paul Maye wins the 1945 Paris-Roubaix with a Simplex derailleur |
Simplex pull chain derailleur |
1947 Tour de France winner Jean Robic using a Simplex rear derailleur |
Campagnolo's Paris-Roubaix derailleur |
Two of the legends of the era, Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi |
In velodromes such as the Vigorelli in Milan and the Vel d'Hiv in Paris , the only competition was on the track. Campagnolo hubs along with Cinelli handlebars and stems reigned supreme. |
The entrance of Campagnolo's new derailleur, the Gran Sport, marks the beginning of a new era just as the retirement of Gino Bartali signals the end of the old. |