The 4-hole model front derailleur quickly lost favor after it's introduction since a chain rivet would sometimes hang up on the edge of the forward-most hole during a hard shift/strong pedaling from the small chain ring to the large one. The result was a terrific, derailleur-destroying grinding crunch that jammed the cranks. If this happened during a racing situation, as it did to me, it could be quite an unnerving start to a bike-change. On a training ride, this failure was followed by a roadside repair of some sort to untangle the mess, or a long walk home pushing the bike. On another fellow's bike, I saw this put a small crease in the back of the seat tube as the derailleur was ripped off--not a great feature. Unlike today's chains which are quite smooth, the older standard width chains, such as the widely used Regina Oro or Extra, had rivets that were a good bit wider than the side plates, so that has to be taken into account when imagining the forces involved. Even going to the smoother (and less expensive) Sedisport chain of that era didn't eliminate the problem. After this happened enough times more than a few of us quickly sought out the older models with no holes in the side plates. IMHO, Campi soon went to three holes for this reason--not that the forward-most hole was the one that was omitted. I think the time estimate of around 1979 is about right. At any rate, the original weight-saving effect of the original 4-hole version was soon replaced by the more reliable 3-hole version that was used for many years after that without problem.
Bill Bryant Santa Cruz, CA
Marc Boral wrote:
> That version you speak of was the first attempt at changing the old
> solid-cage Record. I think it was only around about a year at
> most. Educated guess here, but I think...'79? An exploded view picture
> can be seen in the '82 Olympic catalog. Interestingly, the photos of the
> complete derailleur show the 3 hole Record and Super Record. So I guess
> they got lazy and used an old photo for the exploded picture. Does anyone
> know if the 4 hole model is shown or made reference to in any of Campy's
> catalog Supplements? I kind of like the 4 hole cage. The narrow clamp is
> sort of scary. I think it might have been nice if Campy distinguished the
> Super Record from the Record by incorporating the black arms AND the 4 hole
> cage. Oh well, they probably had a good reason for not doing so. Can't
> blame that decision on Valantino :-)
>
> Marc Boral
> Long Beach, CA
>
> At 10:38 PM 12/5/2001 -0500, Huemax@aol.com wrote:
> >Hi, Chuck,
> >
> >Speaking of Campy N/R front derailluers, all silver 3 hole cage vs. 4 hole
> >ones,
> >which one is older?
> >
> >Also, ones I have, I discover another difference at the front of "BAND". 4
> >hole one has narrow straight design while the 3 hole one has top/bottom
> >pointed like a sheild design as older record band,
> >
> >Thanks in advance,
> >
> >KEN TODA, cool and dry, North Carolina evening