 | December 30, 2003--A reader
from Europe suggested we take a look at the new Campagnolo
clothing in the '04 catalog. We did. Looks cool
(especially the extensive line of cold-weather clothing), but we
still wonder when we'll start seeing a bike shop selling it or
riders wearing it ... |
|  December
22, 2003--News from Campy Only sponsor Branford
Bike on the new 2004 Record Ergo lever.
Branford's Tim Brockett reports that the Ergo cog has been drilled
(just like in the good ol' days) and the "G-spring"
carrier has been updated from alloy to carbon (weight savings is 8
grams). The Ergo cog also has a Teflon-like coating.
Shifting with the updated innards is smoother and a little softer,
Tim reports. He also notes that the slick coating looks like
it will wear off pretty quickly, based on an inspection after a
number of shifts.
So ... What does this mean for those of us with
pre-2004 levers? Well, the good news is that you can put all
of these parts in your existing 1999-2003 Ergo levers and upgrade
to "Ultra" 10-speed shifting at a fraction of the price
of new levers. Check out Branford Bike's web site at http://www.branfordbike.com/brake/brk01.html
for price and ordering info. Click
here for our detailed how-to instructions on disassembling and
reassembling your Ergo levers. Note: The updated cogs
will be available in June 2004 |
| December 12, 2003--Italy's
bike industry has been hit hard in recent years, but expects to do
better with US sales in 2004, reports Bicycle
Retailer and Industry News. BRAIN's
November/December issue  quotes
Italian trade commissioner Fortunato Celi Zullo (photo
left) as saying, "Italians, like everybody, suffered from
the past two to three years from lack of demand from U.S.
consumers. We are confident it will be strong again."
Zullo credits Campagnolo as helping to build interest in
Italy's cycling output: "We have the image of high
quality, like Campagnolo, Colnago, De Rosa, and Pinarello."
Zullo admits that Italy can't win the battle with other countries
on cost, but, "as long as we supply the high-end, high-tech
innovative products, we can succeed." Exports of
Italian bicycles fell from 2.09 million units to 1.42 million in
the period from 1999 to 2002, according to BRAIN. |
| December 9, 2003--Seems like
it's hard to suppress a love of Campagnolo--even if you're the
folks putting together marketing info for non-Campy-using
manufacturer Specialized.
A longtime reader sent these scans from Specialized's latest
catalog that show a rider in a shot ostensibly of fans of their
bikes wearing a team jersey from Ochsner,
one of the largest Campagnolo importers in the US. The
Specialized bike they are all admiring is (gasp!) Record-equipped,
despite the fact that all of Specialized's bikes come with ShimaNO
components.
Table of Contents from
the '04 Specialized brochure |
Ochsner-wearing Specialized Guy |
Ochsner team jersey |
Record-equipped bike
features prominently in Specialized's catalog, even though
they don't offer a Campy-equipped bike |
|
| December 3, 2003--At long
last, another rumor! ... We were buying some parts at Bicycle
Business, our favorite Sacramento-area Campy shop, and they
have a pair of the new Record carbon bottle cages in
stock. We were able to check them out--very light and
cool-looking. But ... you'll pay a high price for this
particular item: $124.95 for one cage (with a
Campagnolo water bottle), or $230 for a pair. Want 'em
now? Call BB at (916) 442-5246 (tell them Campy Only sent
you). |
| November 5, 2003--We've noted
for some time now that Campagnolo is using carbon fiber to help
distinguish their components. In a recent article, Bicycle
Retailer and Industry News notes that this trend is
expanding quickly. The article, headlined "Black Gold
Is Everywhere," describes how carbon fiber parts have
exploded in popularity in recent years. The magazine even
goes so far as to talk about the "death knell clang of
aluminum components tossed in the trash bin in favor of a new
generation of carbon wonder parts." Doug Stewart,
president of component maker FSA,
who has been quoted in Bicycle Retailer as saying that his company
is aiming to unseat Campagnolo from its position as the #2-selling
component company, this time talks about the changing of the
standard for high-end parts changing to carbon. Stewart also
issues a cautionary note about the dangers of making carbon so
common that it loses its cachet. Bicycle Retailer notes
that, "Campagnolo is setting a new standard in lust-worthiness
with the addition of new carbon fiber Record and Chorus
derailleurs and cranks." |
| November 4, 2003--We helped a
friend build a bike with a new '04 Chorus gruppo, and the
stuff looks great! We're left to wonder, though, how
all the people who bought the '03 Record crank feel, now that
their crankset is essentially a Chorus part . . . Watch for photos
of the Chorus-equipped bike soon. |
|  November
3, 2003--World famous cycling coach Eddie Borysewicz was among
the hundreds who lost homes in the recent fires in
California. We urge you to click on the link below for
information on how you can help Eddie rebuild his home and life
after this tragic loss. We are thankful that Eddie himself
was not injured--belongings can be replaced, but people
cannot. For information on assisting Eddie B: www.clintonphoto.com |
| October 29, 2003--Bidding on
the '66 derailleur ended at $2,550! |
|  October
28, 2003--An original 1966 Nuovo Record derailleur is
currently up for auction on eBay. With one day to go, the
price is already at $2,025! Check out the auction for a
limited time: click
here |
|  October
26, 2003--Campagnolo's 2004 catalog is out (at least in
Europe), and one interesting item is the return of the "big
corkscrew" to the pages of the catalog. Check back for
more from the catalog ... |
| October 23, 2003--One online
supplier in the Midwest US is asking $1,749 for a complete '04
Record gruppo with the new carbon crank. |
| October 23, 2003--Our first
'04-equipped reader's bike is now in our Mod
Gallery |
|  October
22, 2003--2004 gruppos have crossed the Atlantic!
At least one online retailer in the US is reported to be offering
the new stuff, and more are sure to follow in the near
future. Reader Warner Yuen snagged one of the first gruppos
and provided this photo of the in-progress assembly of his
'04-equipped Eddy Merckx. Warner completed the build and
reports that the new gruppos works and rides great. |
|  October
15, 2003--It is reported that the Telekom team will be
switching from Campagnolo to ShimaNO for 2004, which means
one more top team with hopes for placing a Campy-equipped rider atop the
Tour de France podium will now be riding ShimaNO . .
. Who will put Campagnolo back atop the Tour??? |
| October 15, 2003--Bidding
on the prototype Delta brakes ended at $420 without meeting
Richard's reserve . . . |
|  October
7, 2003--Attention Delta Brake fans! Richard
Sachs is auctioning off what may be one of the rarest of
Campagnolo items--a pair of the original, 1982 Delta brake
prototypes. This is one of only a few sets in
private hands (several other prototype sets were called back by
Campagnolo; production models were released several years
later). Check out the auction (ends October 15) at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=3630433122 |
|  October 1, 2003--Spanish
manufacturer Orbea is showing their latest models built
with '04 Campy equipment. Check around and you'll even see
some "flagship" bikes built with Veloce and
Centaur. www.orbea.com |
| September 11, 2003--We've
been road testing (gasp!) non_Campy gear! Read our review of
the FSA Superlight
Carbon Crankset |
| September 10, 2003--Read
Campagnolo's official press release on the 2004
Hyperon wheels, including their info on the new ceramic
bearings. |
| September 2, 2003--We've got
photos from inside Eurobike! Click
here to see photos of Campagnolo's roll-out of the 2004 line |
| September 2, 2003--Campagnolo
has updated the official website with information about the 2004
lineup. See it at www.campagnolo.com |
| September 1, 2003--Weights
for new equipment, as publicized at the Freidrichshafen show:
Record rear derailleur
short.........184g
Record front derailleur 2x speed
braze-on.......69g
Record ergopower..........324g
Record chain ultra......259g...old
C10 type still available...
Record carbon crankset........500g
Record seat post.........185g
Hyperon tubular..........1240
Hyperon Clincher with
Neutron-hub........1395g
Hyperon clincher with
Carbon-hub....1350g
Neutron clincher.......1580g
Neutron tubular.........1540g
|
| September 1, 2003--The big
trade shows in Europe are happening, and we've got photos!
These photos are from the show in Freidrichshafen in southern
Germany--thanks to reader Georg Schoening for passing them along
to us.
New Record on a New Merckx |
From the 2004 Catalog |
Record-equipped
Principia |
Centaur crankset in
the new grey finish |
Hyperon Clincher! |
Record under glass |
|
| August 21, 2003--Just thought
we'd pass along another quote from Campagnolo USA head Richard
Storino, who told Bicycle
Retailer and
Industry News that next year's Record derailleur
will lose its tension adjustment screw in part to shed weight and
in part because "people weren't really using that feature
anyway." For the record (no pun intended), we have
tried using the tension adjustment and found that it doesn't make
a clearly discernable difference in the way the derailleur
performs . . . |
| August 15, 2003--Campagnolo
equipment certainly inspires all of us to go out and ride our
bicycles--it apparently also inspires some artists as well.
Reader Patricia
Díaz Blanco (who lives in the homeland of formerly Campy-using world
champion Oscar Friere) pointed us toward the new album from German
techno-rockers Kraftwerk.
This cutting-edge group, who inspired numerous other groups with
songs like "Autobahn" and "Tour de France,"
features Campagnolo-equipped bikes on the cover of their latest
album, and their new single, "Titanium," includes the
lyrics "Carbon, aluminum/Vélo titanium." Patricia
reports: In a recent interview to BBC, Ralf Hütter from
Kraftwerk said this song was very "personal", because
him and the other remaining founder of the band Florian Schneider
own titanium bikes with carbon and aluminum componentry. If you
take a look to the sleeve of the new album you can see almost
every photo features a Campy-equipped bike. Hmmm . . .
titanium and carbon . . . sounds like Campy fans to us! |
|  August
14, 2003--Reader Michael
Alexander wrote to let us know that he got a chuckle out of
our August 13 rumor regarding Campagnolo's clothing line.
Michael, who admits to a severe case of Campyitis, rides his
Campy-equipped bike around Fort Madison, Iowa, dressed in full
Campy kit. We stand corrected--there is at least one
rider in the US who wears Campagnolo clothing. |
| August 13, 2003--OK, you want
prices for the 2004 lineup? Try these, which reflect
the MSRP for components purchased in Europe. (Prices in the
US will be higher, due to import costs, and may fluctuate
depending on the value of the dollar as compared to the Euro).
> Record rear derailleur: $320US
> Chorus rear derailleur: $222US
> Record carbon crankset:$736US
> Chorus carbon crankset: $603US
> Record bottle cage (each): $123US
> Chorus bottle cage (each): $73US |
| August 13, 2003--Whatever
happened to Campagnolo's clothing line? We have yet
to see anybody wearing any of Campagnolo's high-priced togs, but
there's still hope--Campagnolo is expending the line to include
"more price points" (possible translation: lower-priced
items) and more options, according to Bicycle
Retailer and Industry News. Look for a stretchy
waterproof jacket, a Merino wool jersey (go retro!) and waterproof
gloves. |
| August 13, 2003--Campagnolo's
USA General Manager, Richard Storino, is quoted in the latest
edition of Bicycle
Retailer and Industry News as saying that sales of
9-speed gruppos are lagging far behind those of 10-speed
groups. BRAIN quotes Storino as saying, "Campagnolo is
still producing 9-speed components, but we aren't promoting them
because there are simply no sales. Worldwide there are
hardly any sales. And those sales are primarily people
buying parts for existing groups." In the same article
in the August 1, 2003, edition of BRAIN, Storino describes the
special anti-friction coating that's coming on the new Record and
Chorus chainrings: "When you touch the rings they are
extremely slippery. It feels like Teflon-impregnated satin
chrome." |
| August 12, 2003--What will
the 2004 lineup cost? We've got the inside
scoop--check back for prognostications on the price tags we'll be
seeing soon . . . you may be surprised! |
| August 11,2003--Here's the
real stuff: Official press releases from Campagnolo on the 2004
gruppos, new wheels,
and those cool bottle cages. |
| July 31, 2004--We have
super-detailed photos of the new carbon Record bottle cage
and rear derailleur! Check 'em out at our 2004
Record page. |
| July 16, 2003--Bicycle
Retailer and Industry News reports that Campagnolo's
former media relations person, Joseba Arizaga, has been
replaced by three persons: Francesco Zenere, Silvia Milani,
and Peiro Da Rin. Campagnolo is also reported to be
integrating its media, sport, trade, and web divisions. |
|  July
15, 2003--Here is a shot of Fabio Sacchi's Team Saeco
Cannondale, which he
is riding in this year's Tour de France. Nestled under the
water bottle on the down tube is the battery pack for a Record
electronic shifter--also visible is the electronic front
derailleur. This mark one of the first times the electronic
system has been used in professional competition . . . Click
here for more information on Campagnolo's electronic shifting
Click
here for more info from Cyclingnews.com |
|   July
11, 2003--Here's are photos of Giant's "100th Anniversary" edition carbon
fiber bicycle (see our July 3, 2003 rumor) and the special Team
Time Trial edition (check out the gold accents). |
|  July
10, 2003--Cyclingnews
posted this photo of one
of Team ONCE's carbon-fiber Giant bicycles, with some of the new
Record equipment. You can see the new black-finish Record
brakes and what looks like the new Record crank. |
| July 9, 2003--What do you
think is best about Campagnolo's 2004 lineup? Take
our online survey! |
| July 7, 2004--Who's winning
the Tour, Campagnolo or Shimano? We'll be keeping a list of
the really important competition--check it out at Campagnolo
vs. Shimano |
| July 6, 2003--More
2004 lineup info! Check out what's happening to
Chorus next year! |
| July 5, 2003--Our apologies
to ShimaNO for suggesting that David Miller's mechanical failure in the Tour de
France prologue (which lost him the Yellow Jersey) came on a
ShimaNO-equipped bike. David's team is Campagnolo-equipped
. . . ouch! Here's
a list of what each Tour team is riding this year |
| July 3, 2003--Giant
will be releasing another special edition bicycle equipped with carbon
Record, including black-anodized chainrings. Check it
out at www.giant-bicycles.com |
| June 30, 2003--We're hearing
rumors that this year's alloy Record crankset will become next
year's Chorus crank. Dealers are reportedly keeping current
stocks low in case the change is made. |
|  June
22, 2003--We have photos and info on the new 2004 Record
gruppo! What's in store for next year? How about a
new carbon crankset, new seatpost, a carbon
bottle cage . . . and more! Check out our 2004
Lineup page for more info and photos! |
| June 20, 2003--Chorus
Carbon! Campagnolo held a meeting in Vicenza last week
to unveil its high-end lineup for 2004 to industry insiders. We hear that the following changes (or non-changes)
are in store:
--Chorus will get a carbon crankset next year,
hopefully offering a lower-priced option for riders who want
carbon. The Chorus crankset will be made in Italy.
--The Hyperon wheelset will be made by the French company Corima,
which makes a variety of carbon wheels and frames.
--Campagnolo also announced that they will be staying with a
traditional, square taper for their cranksets and bottom
brackets. Splined bottom brackets are not in future for now.
Click here for more info on
the 2004 Lineup |
| June 20, 2003--Campy Only
sponsor Teschner
Bicycles has unveiled a new time trial frame built with
Easton's updated GX2 Scandium tubing. Check it out at Cycling
News |
|  June
19, 2003--Remember those guys at FSA,
who hope to topple Campagnolo (see our April
15 rumor)? They have released a special edition of their
carbon crankset in the team colors of the CSC/Toscali team
(see photo). Look for this crankset on the CSC bikes in the
Tour de France next month--and keep your eyes open for rare
spottings of Campagnolo's carbon crankset in the peloton .
. . Price for the FSA crank is about half of the cost for a
Record crank . . .
Coming Soon: We will be testing FSA's crankset--check
back for results! |
| June 11, 2003--How is the
bicycle business doing? Industry publication Bicycle
Retailer reports that deliveries from suppliers to retailers
were down 32% for the first quarter of 2003,
compared to the same period one year ago. Information on
individual companies is not available, but it's interesting to
note that sales of wheels (a major Campagnolo product--see our May
6, 2003 rumor, below) were down 1.2% in the number of units, but
the dollar value of the wheels more than doubled, climbing
148%. Fewer wheels, but more expensive . . . In a positive
sign for Campagnolo, sales of high-end road bikes above $1000 were
stronger than sales for bikes under $1000. |
|  June
10, 2003--Former Tour
winner Jan Ullrich was spotted last week at the Tour of
Germany riding a new bicycle with an interesting-looking crankset.
The sharp-eyed reader who saw the crankset, however, tracked it
down to the maker of the bicycle, Walser
Cycles. Walser is a Swiss maker whose frames are
popular in the European professional ranks. |
|  May
29, 2003--Campagnolo's advertising in cycling industry
magazines stresses the sharing of technology across all of the
various gruppos--a Record ergo lever will work with a Xenon
derailleur . . . |
|   May
27, 2003--ShimaNO Ergo?? Shimano's official web
site shows an entry-level group called "Sora" (sounds
like how your butt feels after a long ride . . .) that includes levers with a
Campagnolo-like thumb lever in place
of STI's second shift lever behind the brakes. Check it out
at http://bike.shimano.com/Road/Sora/index.asp
P.S. Thanks to those readers who pointed out that "Sora"
has been around for several years. We don't pay that much
attention to ShimaNO's low-end stuff, so we missed this group when
it came out . . . |
| May 27, 2003--It may not make
much of a difference to readers of this page, but ShimaNO
has drastically cut back on the online retailers who are
authorized to sell its stuff . . . The unofficial list of
authorized online retailers includes Performance, SuperGo, Bike
Nashbar, Excel Sports, Colorado Cyclist and REI. Why?
It's all about controlling the prices that regular folks pay . . .
Federal law prohibits price-fixing and formal agreements between
manufacturers and retailers, but there is a clear (if unstated)
understanding that the manufacturer's price will be held by
retailers who hope to continue offering ShimaNO product (and the
same holds true for other manufacturers and other
industries). The end result is less choice and--as we have
noted in the past--higher prices. Let's hope Campagnolo
doesn't follow suit. |
| May 22, 2002--As an update to
our May 19 rumor, we're sorry to say that the folks at
Cyclingnews.com took a closer look at the high-res versions of the
Simoni Cannondale and determined that his Record front derailleur
cage is alloy, not carbon. |
| May 19, 2003--We don't report
much on what's happening over at ShimaNO, but we couldn't
resist this news about the "S" guys from Bicycle
Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN). In their May 15
issue, BRAIN reports on the 2004 Dura Ace gruppo, and gives
it mixed marks. "... after seeing [the new 2004
line] some product managers are questioning the component maker's
direction," BRAIN reports. "For example,
they wondered why the group features a beefy look more akin to
mountain bike components and why Shimano has yet to embrace carbon
fiber. They also said lack of a triple option was a mistake."
ShimaNO's response? Their new 10-speed cassette "is
enough for most riders," BRAIN paraphrases. BRAIN also
reports that a ShimaNO Europe press release "stressed the
superiority of the company's aluminum technology with regard to
stiffness and weight savings over carbon fiber cranksets.
The release also said the company avoided carbon fiber because it
compromises its performance goals." Interesting
stuff ... We'll opine that the lack of carbon in ShimaNO's top
group has more to do with the fact that Campagnolo did it first
.... But we'll also wonder (as many readers do) why we don't see
more Campagnolo carbon cranksets in the professional ranks
... |
|  May
18, 2003--More Simoni
news . . . Here's a photo from a reader in Italy that shows
Simoni's bike in a shot from the Giro d'Italia. Looks like
he's going all out for low weight on this climbing stage--he's
using a Record rear brake in the front! |
|   May
19, 2003--More carbon for Record? Take a close
look at these shots of Gilberto Simoni's custom Cannondale . . .
you'll see what looks like a carbon fiber cage on the front
derailleur. We've noted for some time that carbon fiber is
becoming a hallmark of the Record gruppo--if true, this rumor
confirms our suspicions. No word yet on how long the cage
lasts; perhaps it has a thin metal coating where the chain
rubs? (Photos: Cyclingnews.com)
Note: See our May 22 rumor, above |
|  May
16, 2003--We have new photos of the 2004 lineup! Click
here to see what's coming for next year |
|
|
Campagnolo USA
president Richard Storino
|
May 6, 2003--Industry
magazine Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) is
quoting Campagnolo USA president Richard
Storino as saying that the company is nearing completion
of a substantial expansion of its manufacturing capacity.
The expanded factory space will allow Campagnolo to offer finished
wheels (a major growth segment) at lower prices. BRAIN
reports that the newly revamped Vento wheel will have a
suggested price of $229.
Click here for our report on
Campagnolo's 2004 lineup |
| April 15, 2003--A rival
company is apparently hoping to topple Campagnolo . . .
In the April 1 edition of Bicycle
Retailer and Industry News, Doug Stuart, president of
Taiwanese component maker Full
Speed Ahead, is quote as saying,
"Shimano is a long way away, and saying we can be better
than them is unrealistic. But when you look at the other guys, we
believe we can be better than them and become the number-two
supplier behind Shimano."
Guess who those "other guys" are . . .
FSA makes a variety of components that include carbon fiber
crankset, and plans to launch a line of road and mountain bike
wheels this fall, according to the article. A line of
shifters and derailleurs is also in the works, but are several
years away. Three professional teams in the European peloton
(Bonjour, Team CSC, and Sidermec) are using FSA components. |
| April 8, 2003--And the scale
says . . . We recently mounted a Record carbon seatpost to
our new Merlin Agilis, and
before we did, we put it on a digital postal scale. It
should come as no surprise that the actual weight is somewhat
different that the advertised figure . . . Our 350mm post weighed
in at 7.9 ounces, or 223 grams. Campagnolo's web site lists
only one weight for the post--180 grams--but points out that this
is for the lightest Record post, the 250mm post, which in addition
to being shorter also has thinner walls (2mm, compared to
3mm). Branford Bike's web site lists the weight of the 350mm
post at 195 grams--a full 28 grams (1 ounce) lighter than
ours. The good news? The Record post is an ounce
lighter than the alloy Ritchey post we changed out . . . and it
comes with Campagnolo's cool new seatpost clamp. |
| April 7, 2003--Thanks to the
many readers who pointed us to the Cycling News web site
again--this time for a real story on the prototype Record
electronic gruppo. Cycling News has published new photos
of the gruppo, plus some new information. According to CN,
the total weight of the gruppo is slightly less than a standard
setup (despite the added weight of the frame-mounted battery), due
to the extensive use of carbon fiber. Click
here to read CN's coverage Click
here to read our ongoing coverage of the electronic gruppo |
| April 1, 2003--Is Campagnolo
going back to the off-road market? The Cycling
News web site ( www.cyclingnews.com
) is reporting that Campagnolo will introduce a new off-road
gruppo ni 2004. Named "Diablo," the gruppo could
be joined by an electronic-shifting OR group called
"Radio." Here is the story from Cycling
News--check it out at their web site at http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/?id=2003/apr03/apr01news1
:
Campagnolo to return to
the dirt
By Paul Mirtschin
Devillishly
fast
Photo: © CN
 |
It looks like 2004 will be a
bumper year for the mountain bike community, with news that
Campagnolo will be returning to the dirt with a new downhill/freeride
group next year.
To be sold under the
"Diablo" moniker, the group is aimed squarely at
Shimano's new "Saint" group, bringing back the Shimano/Campagnolo
market wars of the early 1990's that saw mountain bikers ducking
for cover and hoping that their component group was the victor.
So far, we have only seen the
rear derailleur (RD-01/02/03OR) and cranks (FC-01CSOR), but
sources inside Campagnolo have told Cyclingnews that a full group
will be available by the end of the year, including a choice of
either trigger shifters or indexed brake/shifters.
When contacted by Cyclingnews,
Toni Mansho from Campagnolo refused to confirm nor deny that the
group even existed, but a number of European manufacturers have
told us that they have already placed orders for the group, and
one major Taiwanese company is looking at the group for placement
on their upper-end bikes, and for possible use by their
professional team.
Sources inside Campagnolo have
also said that they are working on a lightweight electronic
cross-country group under the name of "Radio".
P.S. April Fools! |
| March 20, 2003--New photos
of the electronic gruppo! Check 'em out--they're the
best shots yet of the coming top-of-the-line Record setup. Click
here for photos |
| March 20, 2003--Super Record
is back! Well, sort of . . . Paul Components is
showing a "Super Record" hubset on their web site, at http://www.paulcomp.com/frmsupr.html
Wonder if they asked Campagnolo before they used the name? |
|  March
12, 2003--More from our eBay watch: A pair of Gran
Sport bar-end shifters from the 1950s recently sold in an
online auction for $2,025. Click
here to check out the auction details online for a limited time |
| March 12, 2003--Yeah, yeah,
yeah . . . Bora wheels are on the official Campagnolo web
site, and reportedly will be in stores next month. Those of
us who don't ride tubulars can cheer up: Boras will reportedly be
available in a clincher version soon . . . |
| March 12, 2003--Once in a
while, we run across a ShimaNO rumor too good to pass
up. Here's what we're hearing . . . ShimaNO is reportedly
limiting online sales of its components in an effort to
(ostensibly) keep bogus parts off the market, but rumor has it
that maintaining stable (read: higher) prices is also in the mix. |
| March 5, 2003--We have a can
of Superlative lubricant! Watch for test results . .
. for now, here are several photos:
List price? A shade over $39 for a 200ml can . .
. Branford Bike (a Campy Only sponsor) will offer it for
under $29. |
| February 21, 2003--Start
checking your bicycle retailer in March for Campagnolo's new superlative
lubricant. This high-end lube, Campagnolo's replacement
for the old Lubrificante,
will sell for around $30 or more for a container. Click
here to see the lube |
| February 20, 2003--A
first-generation 1958 Record crankset recently sold on eBay
for $3,180 . . . Check out the details for a limited time
at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2157804090&category=420 |
| February 11,2003--175mm Record
carbon cranksets are indeed flowing into shops in the US, but
not all distributors have them. One shop owner missed
getting a shipment from one supplier, found a second supplier who
had some, and was told by another that they were not yet
available. |
| February 11, 2003--ShimaNO is
not planning to introduce 11-speed--that's what we have
heard, corroborated by several sources in the know. The
"S" company will bring out a ten-speed gruppo, however,
leading one pundit to predict that the Tour de France will be won
on a ten-speed-equipped bike this year . . . If this rumor is
true, it would mean that the pressure will be off Campagnolo to
add one more cog . . . (see our survey and
weigh in with your thoughts on whether Campagnolo should offer 11
speeds). |
| February 4, 2003--Start
searching those boxes of old Campy parts--a 1953 shift lever just
sold on eBay for $676.66. Check out the auction
details at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2704675163 |
| February 4, 2003--Carbon
cranksets have been spotted in US bike shops in both 170 and
175mm lengths . . . |
| January 28, 2003--A friend in
Japan reports that his local bike shop recently received a
shipment of 170mm Record carbon cranksets. He
reports, "The shop manager said they [five sets] were gone
in less than a week, even at the price, which I'm a bit
embarrassed to say I paid! " The 53t chainring
is reported to be an upgrade of the 2002 version, with more shifting
pins. Check out his photos . . .
 |
| January 28, 2003--You may not
have heard it here first, but . . . rumor is that Campagnolo will
come out with a revamped Record gruppo, perhaps as early as
next year. |
| January 9, 2003--First rumors
on what we'll see from Campagnolo in 2004. No major changes,
but a few improvements are coming our way. Click
here for more information |
| January 7, 2003--The Cycling
News web site reports that Campagnolo is shipping
"limited quantities" of the new all-carbon Bora
wheelset. The wheels have radial spoking on the front,
G3 at the rear, and require special brake pads for the carbon rims
(like the Hyperon wheels). For more, see Cycling News: http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/?id=2002/news/dec15 |
|  January
3, 2003--Let's start the year with a trip to Vicenza.
Posted today are new photos from the Japanese press of the inside
of the factory in Campagnolo's home town. Click
here for more photos |
