Ten-Speed Shortage?

Readers have asked--and our sources have confirmed--that there is a shortage of ten-speed parts in the US. We have reports of riders looking for 10s cassettes being unable to find them from US suppliers (although Branford Bike, a Campy Only sponsor, has a supply on hand due to their decision to stock up earlier this year). If you're looking for 10s cassettes and find one ... buy it!

Yesterday's Ride

A cold and damp ride to Winters, CA, aboard our ShimaNO-free Rivendell Quickbeam. Fenders are a must this time of year!

Photos here.

Today's Bikes: Barb's Viners

Classic Campy-equipped steel for today. Home for these machines is somewhere in sunny Southern California (we think).

Today's Bike: Tutti Campy in Boulder

Peter's Waterford is Campy Only, from the brake hoods to the chainstay decal.

Check out the cool lugwork, and the flat for crown, and ... Suffice to say, it's Nice.

Today's Bike: Martin's Tesch

Nice classic Campy on Martin's bike, including Deltas and one of the semi-aero rear derailleurs.

Email your bike's photos to us: enorris at campyonly dot com

What's on *Your* Seat Bag?

What does your bike's seat bag say? Here are photos of some of the CampyOnly stable, each with a story to tell: See the Flickr Photo Set, "Seat Bags"

Merry Christmas from Campy Only!

Wishing all of our readers a Campy Christmas and a Record New Year!

What did Santa bring you this year?

Today's Ride

Coupla quick photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35176895@N03/sets/72157623059995514/

Enjoy!

Bianchi Factory Fire: 15,000 Bikes Lost

More info here:

http://www.bike-eu.com/news/3804/fire-does-not-affect-bianchi-production.html

No word on how many of the bikes were Campy equipped.

-- Post From My iPhone

Ten-Speed Christmas

Fun holiday animation from Specialized, but whose cassette is that? Wasn't it Campagnolo that came out in 1987 with a musical gruppo--Chorus?

(Campagnolo's official publication at the time exulted, "The Chorus equipment performs as if it were on a stage singing in unison.")

Today's Campy Only Ride

We took our Campy-equipped Richard Sachs out for a 90-mile ride that should have been just cold and damp. We ended up being rained on, but we saw the Yoga Lady of Calistoga. More photos here.

Today's Bike (Non-Campy)

Not a speck of Campy on this bike, but something about it called out to be photographed when I saw it parked in front of the local grocery store. The Astra brand was basically a rebadged, low-end Motobecane, imported in about 1971-72. This one apparently lived originally in El Centro, CA, per the 1972 city bicycle license on the seat tube. Despite the low-end (and non-Campy) parts, this is a good example of a French-made everyday bike from the height of the 1970s bike boom: nice lugged frame and fork, comfortable geometry ... and ten speeds! More photos here.

When Campagnolo Was Still Young ...

... they were inaugurating bike paths in England (75 years ago). Here's archival footage of the opening of the first "cycle track" in England:

NEW CYCLE TRACK OPENED

Today's Bike: Regis' 'Dale

Regis sent us this photo from somewhere in Europe (we think). Wherever it's from, it's a nicely built up bike.

Readers--Let us know where you're from when you submit photos, and we'll be sure to give your hometown a shout-out here.

Fixie Fever

OK--fixed gear riding is now officially over-exposed. When it shows up in posters a the mall, it's all over.

Become a Cyclocross Champion, Instantly

Interesting (and funny) eBay auction going on right now. Not a speck of Campy in there, but well worth reading. Starting bid is $17,000.

Not Afraid of a Little Rain

It was rainy here at Campy Only World Headquarters today, but that didn't stop us from riding with a friend to our traditional Saturday morning coffee shop in the next town (about 35 miles there and back). Here's a photo of your intrepid Campyonlyguy (in the yellow Showers Pass Elite jacket) and our friend, hamming it up at the turnaround point. In the background, you can see our Campy-equipped Raysport, equipped with fenders (of course).

Note to anyone else venturing out into the wet stuff--the word for today is wool, layered under a nice rain shell. We had on a wool jersey from Earth, Wind, and Rider, a pair of Ibex wool shorts, a pair of ancient but still toasty warm ProTogs wool leg warmers, and wool socks. Wool keeps you warm even when it's wet, something that synthetics don't do quite as well.

Two Bikes for Tuesday

Today's bikes come to us from "Bones" in Hawaii, where bicycling is currently taking a back seat to big wave surfing.

"One is of my 02 C40 TM38 (W/C Mapei Oscar Freire) 46.5S cm with a mix of Record compact, original Cat Claws w/ Ti Aztec pads (Zero-G), ERA Composite saddle, EC90 slx wheels, Modolo Carbon Bar, F99 stem w/ ti kit, Ti speedplays, Controltech ti skewers and American Classic headset.

The other is of my 08 Moots Compact 47cm with Record/Chorus compact, SS Zero-Gs, Alpha-Q fork, SMP Evolution saddle, Campy Neutron wheels, Deda 215 bar, Salsa Scandium stem with Guinness Stout topcap., Moots layback seatpost, SS speedplays, ti Salsa skewers and King headset."

Sunday's Bike: Lynskey Ti R230

Lynskey's been around for a long time (he was one of the original founders of Merlin), but Les U's bike is thoroughly modern:

• Titanium R230 frame
• Alpha Q Carbon Fork
• Deda Electa Carbon Bars
• Deda Zero Stem
• Deda Carbon Zero Seatpost
• Campy Record 10 Group
• Campy Record Ultra Torque Cranks
• Campy Record Pro Fit Pedals
• Campy Zonda Wheels
• Elite Carbon Cages
• Fizik Aliante Saddle
• Lynskey Custom Paint Metalic Glossy Black with White & Red Panels

Today's Bike Says Aloha

Lawrence's 'cross bike is Campy equipped ('09 Centaur) and geared for riding hills. Next addition could be a set of Campy cantilevers from the old days ...

50th Gruppo Price Update

Apparently no takers at $11,650, so the 50th Anniversary Gruppo is now on eBay with a Buy it Now price of $10,250. There's also another 50th gruppo there with a Buy it Now of $6,000 and one up for auction (starting at $2,900). Still time to get a letter to Santa ...

Today's Quick "Non-Review": Cycleaware Torpedo Bottle

We just mailed back a testing product from the folks at Cycleaware: their "Torpedo" insulated stainless steel water bottle. Although it's marketed as a cycling product, we thought it would be more accurately sold as a nice thermos. It doesn't fit into a standard bottle cage (they're coming out with a special cage for it) and you can't drink from it while you ride (twist-off top ... if you even wanted to drink hot coffee while riding). On the plus side, the Torpedo does a great job keeping liquids hot--in our unscientific test, it kept coffee hot for 8 hours.

Our suggestion to Campy Only fans looking to carry coffee with them would be to buy a standard stainless thermos (we have one from Starbucks that also includes a serving cup/cap). If you still want to try a Torpedo, they're available for $25 at the Cycleaware web site.

CampyOnly's Post-Thanksgiving Ride

135 miles from Davis, CA, to San Francisco to work off some of those holiday calories. Photos and captions here.

Christmas Idea?

This 50th Anniversary gruppo showed up on eBay, and with a Buy It Now price of $11,650, it won't last long ...

Seriously, folks. Almost $12K for a 50th Gruppo? It's not even in the supposedly more valuable sub-#100 sets (which are in fact no different from any other 50th gruppo).

Any guesses on what the actual selling price will be?

Today's Bike: Canadian Campa

Michel sent this photo of his Chorus-equipped Marinoni, which he rides in Henryville, Quebec. Beautiful gold Shamal wheels top off a nice build.

Free Pizza from Campagnolo

Campagnolo the Vancouver-based restaurant, that is. During the upcoming Winter Olympics, they'll give you a free pizza if you ordered and are in the restaurant when a Canadian athlete wins a medal. It's a little complicated--you have to order the right kind of pizza (different medals go with different pizzas) and be there when the athlete wins--but it sounds fun if you happen to be in Vancouver during the games. It might even help offset the astronomical costs of being in Vancouver during the Olympics ...

More info here.

How Low Can They Go?

Prices for Campagnolo gruppos are already dropping all over Europe (check out the prices at TotalCycling.com, a Campy Only sponsor) ... now comes news that Campagnolo gear ratios are getting lower as well. Campagnolo is releasing a new 12-29 cassette for their 11-speed gruppos. Combined with a 50/32 compact crankset, that will offer riders a range of 31 to 111 gear inches. That's enough at the low end to almost climb straight up, and high enough at the top end to squeeze the last bit of speed out of the downhill on the other side. More info here.

Campagnolo North America Christmas Ride Dec. 12

Campagnolo North America will be holding their second annual fun ride on December 12th. Here's the official invite from Campagnolo's Tom Kattus:

Season’s Greetings to all,

Put it on your calendar! Our 2^nd annual Toy Drive and Fun Ride to benefit Rady Children’s Hospital SD and SD Health and Human Services Foster Care Program will be taking place on Saturday December 12^th 2009. We will be collecting toys leading up to the event and the day of the event. We will be set up again in front of our offices in Carlsbad with plenty of parking in our office complex and adjacent business parks to accommodate as many people as we can attract. We would love you to join us the day of the event if possible. On the day of the event; we will start accepting donations and will have refreshments and food starting at 7:30am and the ride will depart at 9:00am; there are 2 distances for the ride, one 30 flat miles and one about 45 miles with a couple climbs. We hope that you join us this year; it would be great to see you! We are looking forward to making a lot of children’s’ Holiday Season brighter!

All the best,

TK

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Today's Bikes: Matching Lemonds

Reader Chas, from San Francisco, sent these photos. He describes them:

"A matched pair of Lemond TeamZ bikes (Italian made not Della Santa) with 1991 C-Record gruppos plus C-Record Deltas and a mint 1985 Eddy Merckx with a CdA gruppo.

One of the Lemonds is virgin, never ridden, not even chain marks on the chainrings (signed by Greg). It's going to remain a wall hanger. The other has about 200 mikes on it and I have no plans on riding it either."

Is Tweed Italian?

Probably not, but there were quite a few classic Campy-equipped machines at the first-ever Sacramento Tweed Ride. We were there for the festivities, and brought back these for you, our readers:

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35176895@N03/sets/72157622762874036/

The Movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keeODqpVlCI

Bicycle Hall of Fame/Museum in Davis, CA

The CampyOnlyGuy made a visit today to the newly opened (and still nascent) Bicycle Hall of Fame in Davis, CA. Took some photos--check them out and you'll see some classic Campy-equipped bikes in there.

More info on the new Hall of Fame here and here.

Thursday's Bike: Retro Bottecchia

Gregory's 1980-something Bottecchia is a Katrina survivor--it was hanging from the ceiling and escaped the flooding. Gregory still lives and rides in Lousiana.

Wednesday's Bike: Runce's Orbea

Runce's Orbea Mitis is looking very color-coordinated. Chorus gruppo gets the power to the pavement via a pair of Rolf wheels.

Today's Photo

Remember these "Break Away With Campagnolo" decals? Reader Chuck picked up this toolbox and sent us the photo.

If YOU have an interesting Campagnolo-related photo, email it to us and we'll post it here.

Like Expensive Cycling Togs?

Try out this eBay auction for an "historic" Nalini wool jersey. Just $35, but check out the $2,100 shipping charge to get it here from Italy!

Classic Beauty

The "Patent 72" derailleur on our 1972 Cinelli. Not even Campagnolo makes them like this any more. 37 years old (with a set of new pulleys) and still going strong.

Weekend Reading

Not exactly Campy-centric, but a couple of interesting articles we've been reading while we're home with the flu ...

France finds that free bikes aren't always free

Forget "subculture," bikes should be boring, not hip, if they're to become a viable transportation option

Athena 11 Reviewed

Road Bike Action reviews the new Athena 11-speed gruppo online here. They were "very impressed" with the gruppo, which could show up in your local bike shop on bikes in the $2400-$3500 price range.

Tülio, the Multi-Tool

Tullio Campagnolo was well known for tinkering in his shop, devising new bikes parts (such as the quick release), so he might approve of the new "Tülio" from Pedros. The Tülio is a multi-tool masquerading as a quick release lever. Put it on your bike, and you'll never leave home without a selection of eight different tools. More info here.

Update 10-26-09: Don't look for the Tülio in your local bike shop until early 2010. We've asked Pedro's to send us one when they're ready--watch this blog for a road test.

Campagnolo Loses Wheel, Dolphin Expert

Roberto Rinaldi, for 20 years a member of Campagnolo's wheels department, has left to join competitor Full Speed Ahead. At FSA, Rinaldi will be in charge of current and future projects, including FSA's 2012 wheel lineup, according to a report by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.

BRAIN reports that Rinaldi is an accomplished triathlete with several Ironmans under his belt ... and concludes with this interesting tidbit: "... he is a master of Swimming with Flippers," which as it turns out means that he is also a world-famous underwater photographer.

Today's Campy-Equipped Ride

We took our Campy (retro) equipped 1972 Cinelli out for a 100-mile ride today--the Davis Bike Club's Foxy Fall Century. The Foxy Fall is the traditional end-of-season century for cyclists hereabouts. They had more than 1,000 riders signed up for various distances that included metric and full centuries.

More photos here.

Is There "Value" in a $600 Jacket?

That's the question Bicycling magazine posed to its readers as they blogged about Campagnolo's new clothing line. Wrote Bicycling,

"... it’s not whether the $600 jacket is better than a $200 jacket. It probably is. The question is whether or not there’s value in those $400. Readers?"

Huh? Forgive me for throwing a little rain on Bicycling's parade, but it seems to me there are plenty of folks out there (15-million plus in the US) who would love to have a lowly $200 jacket, and would be happy to have the money to buy one.

We here at Campy Only have been opining for years that Campagnolo's clothing is expensive and (for the most part) ugly. We still don't see if for sale at any of the multitude of shops we go to, and we still wonder: Who is buying this stuff?

Holy Silver Thread, Batman!!

OK, time to pry open your wallet and see if you have any cash left over after buying that new $1,900 Super Record gruppo ... Campagnolo is expanding on its clothing line once again, with flagship products like this $600 jacket, which is designed to keep you warm and dry and (in the words of VeloNews.com) "fashion forward." You can layer this atop a $400 Campagnolo jersey, which itself can be worn with a pair of $380 Campagnolo tights. Fashion forward, indeed, at a cost of $1,380 ... at that's without including shorts ($200 and up) and shoes (which Campagnolo thankfully doesn't offer yet). More info from the folks at VeloNews here.

What Goes Around ...

... Comes around, reborn by a new manufacturer. This time, bike maker Electra has brought back the famous Campagnolo "Sheriff's Star" hubs under their own brand (and updated with ceramic bearings). Sorry, fixie/track riders--they're set up with a freehub.

More info here. Click on the image to see other neo-retro parts, like Campy-styled quill pedals and quick release levers ...

Can a Campy-Equipped Bike Be "Bike of the Year"?

The folks over at bikeradar.com have published their list of contenders for "Bike of the Year," and it's good to see that a number of their candidates are equipped with Campagnolo gruppos. Also nice to see that the highest gruppo in BikeRadar's list is Chorus--not a Record or Super Record-equipped bike to be seen (in the photo at left, a Veloce-equipped Argon 18). We've been fans of Campagnolo's lower-priced gruppos for years, and it's good to see the less-than-flagship lines getting some attention.

Hub Update

Kudos to Jim at Hiawatha Cycles in Minneapolis. Before our broken Sturmey Archer hub had even arrived, he was on the phone with the manufacturer arranging for spare parts and special tools so he can fix it (yes, you can repair some non-Campy stuff) as soon as UPS delivers it. Hiawatha Cycles is not so much into Campagnolo, but definitely worth checking out for your other cycling needs.

Tuesday's Bike: Special Edition 11-Speed Trek

The folks at Campagnolo North America sent us these shots of a new 11-Speed Trek, built especially for Campagnolo. This one goes to 11. Nice bike, but what's with the argyle paint scheme? And somebody forgot to put a pair of Campy bottle cages on ...