In a message dated 9/10/02 10:59:38 AM Pacific Daylight Time, TheMaaslands@comcast.net writes:
<< I haven't said anything about it yet because I have absolutely no corroborating evidence to back it up, and would hate to say something without proof, but I honestly believe that Campagnolo did actually make such short seatposts. I have seen many older bikes in Italy that were set up with Campagnolo seatposts that showed no more post than what is seen on the Ebay seatpost. Riding with little seatpost showing was actually almost the standard prior to the 60's! Just look at the historic photos and virtually none of the bikes will have the seatpost exposure that is now the norm. >>
I have a Campy steel seat post, made from 1956 to 1959 and the parallel
section is 130mm. That's about the shortest I've ever seen that was
unadulterated or still in the box. Shorter ones were probably owner
modifications to save weight. A manufacturer has to accommodate the market,
but would likely make "standard" lengths. I have no doubt Tullio probably
shortened some for particular riders when he was a "team mechanic", but would
he have done this at the factory for batches? Hard to say for sure.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA