[CR]TdF 1963, Masi, Campy, single chainring

(Example: Framebuilding:Tubing)

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 08:27:55 -0700
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Jan Heine" <heine@mindspring.com>
Subject: [CR]TdF 1963, Masi, Campy, single chainring

From the July/August 1963 issue of Le Cycle:

A review of the technical aspects of the Tour de France. (The Tour was won by Anquetil, first year of trade teams after the national team formula was abandoned. Anquetil used the new plastic Simplex derailleurs for the second half of the Tour.)

Fabiero Masi (sic!) appears to have been there as part of the Ignis team of Baldini. The Ignis guys were particularly proud of Baldini's TT bike, which despite having a 61 cm frame, weighed only 7400 grams (16.3 lbs.) (no, I haven't weighed the bike, and I doubt the weight was independently verified). Lots of cut-outs, diminished lugs, and a single chainring (54T) at the front.

Interesting is a Campy chain guide, which prevents derailing the chain (a common problem with single chainrings and many cogs on the back).

Has anybody ever seen such a device? There is a Rebour drawing, but no photo. Looks like a smaller version of a front derailleur cage, adjustable sideways. A little knob at the end to prevent the chain from slapping and going under and out of the cage. It clamps to the seat tube. Campy logo in the usual place. (Maybe this was a custom piece made by Campy for this bike?)

All the info, plus the dozens of Rebour drawings of various bikes and details will be seen in a future issue of Vintage Bicycle Quarterly. (VBQ isn't only about randonneuring!) Rebour offers a rare look into the technology of the Tour bikes from various makers.

The same magazine has an ad for the new Mafac Top 63 and Driver cantilever brakes (so they probably were introduced around then), and the TA ad mentions cranks and bottle cages.

A Campagnolo ad says "Vicenza (Italy), Cognin (Savoie)" and lists a distributor in Paris. So the French connection (whatever it was) was alive and well. (According to Ernest Csuka of Alex Singer, FB also was located in Cognin.)

Jan Heine, Seattle