swampmtn wrote:
>
> Another note: the rear hub quick release skewers on Bobet's and Gem's bikes: installed with the lever on the right (drive side).
>
> I wonder if this evolved from the Cambio Corsa, which had levers on the right, or if this helped team mechanics during quick wheel changes, since the lever was always in their right hand, for front and rear wheels???
>
> Aldo Ross
The old Campagnolo catalogs (50s, 60s, 70s) show the rear quick release lever on the right side of the bike in the plans showing chainline dimensions. Also the Daniel Rebour drawings of the derailleurs and quick releases (trade show news releases) usually have the lever on the right. And many of the old fotos show the same.
The original concept was to use the lever with the right hand, front and back, but as the years passed I guess most found it easier and quicker to have the rear quick release lever on the left, so as to avoid entanglement with the rear derailleur during a wheel change.
One oddity is the early Gnutti (Italy) quick release levers that are made asymetrical so that the front lever points to the back and the rear lever (used on the right) points to the back also. The lever is also maked with a patent license Campagnolo.
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, California
http://www.velo-retro.com (NEW list of reprints and T-shirts)