R: [CR]Cambio Corsa axle question

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From: "The Maaslands" <TheMaaslands@comcast.net>
Subject: R: [CR]Cambio Corsa axle question
To: Classic Rendezvous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <000d01c29c97$6328acc0$6cf9fea9@j4g1x1>
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 2002 15:08:33 -0500

Aldo asked:
> I finally got a close-up look at a real Cambio Corsa set-up, and I noticed the axle
> threading is worn/crushed-down on the drive side. Do the axles normally wear-out
> here first? The teeth on both drop-outs look fine, and the threads on the other side
> of the axle look good.
> Shoud I reverse the axle to get more mileage out of it, or will this just prevent me from
> overhaulling it later when both sides are worn?
> I suppose fluted axle spares are unlikely, so I'm going to have my machine shop convert
> a few normal axles for later use. Has anyone done this before, and did it work alright
> with NR-era axles (or others?)?

I have quite a few Campagnolo Corsa bikes (6 at last count if I am not mistaken). Most are still over in Italy. I'll likely put a few of them up for sale in the spring. Your axle is perfectly OK! Campagnolo made them with threading only on the off-drive side. On the drive side they are only threaded enough to allow the locknut and cone assmbly to be threaded on. Your axle is therefore not worn out. The axles do wear out if you ride extensively in rain, snow (We have received more than 6 inches in the last 12 hours here in South Jersey, more than all last year!) or dust; otherwise, they are extremely durable and should last as long as the bike itself. I do however have a number of spare axles that I had machined for me in Vicenza (by chance that is where my machinist friend is located and has nothing to do with Campagnolo!) I keep them just in case, as well as to go with the corsa gears that I turn up. It is my belief that there are probably twice as many sets of cambio corsa gear levers than there are appropriate hubs, so be advised when you go looking for a Cambio corsa equipped bike.

Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ

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