Hi Bill,
Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your posts on the CR list!
Back to the elimination of the cable tension adjuster: The OEM original Campagnolo derailleur cables were so beefy (the ones stamped on the end <c>) that they didn't really ever stretch in my experience. To adjust the tension adjuster would take the open end wrench (blued steel, very thin) that Campagnolo made for adjusting the Gran Sport pulley cones. To adjust the cable tension at the cable anchor would take the ubiquitous Campy "T" wrench (isn't that a _beautiful_ tool).
One of the inspired parts of Tullio's design was the cable anchor that worked like a vise; it never damaged the strands of the cable no matter how many times you reattached the cable. The same principal was used on the Campagnolo Record side pull brake cable anchor. Compare that with the typical for the times bolt with a hole thorough it, nut and washer which put a kink in the cable and usually sheared a few of the cable strands besides.
I was always taught to solder the ends of my Campagnolo cables as the pro mechanics did (and also to always file a radius in my Campagnolo cranks at the web of the spider ;).
Best regards, Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California http://www.velo-retro.com (Campagnolo Timeline, T-shirts and catalog reprints)
Bill Bryant wrote:
>
> Hi Chuck--
> I'm trying to visualize the adjuster placement on the Gran Sport and am just
> relying on my (failing) memory, so I could be off-base here...
> But wouldn't it be useful for adjusting the crappy derailleur cables of that era
> that often stretched a lot with use? The adjusting barrel would avoid having to
> loosen and re-tighten the cable anchor and possibly fray the cable in the process.
> I think one of the best things to come out of Campagnolo in the early '70s was
> improved cables that actually held up to hard usage. A distinct improvement over
> all other brands, IMHO. All these years later with improved cable technology so
> common today, even on low-end bikes, I think most riders would be surprised how
> lousy cables were in the "good old days". ;-)
>
> Keep up the good work,
> Bill Bryant
>
> Chuck Schmidt wrote:
>
> > That change is listed in the Campagnolo Timeline at http://www.velo-retro.com
> >
> > Actually the barrel adjuster was eliminated as being unecessary. Does
> > it serve a purpose I'm not aware of? I can think of none.
> >
> > Chuck Schmidt
> > South Pasadena, California