Stevan Thomas wrote:
>
> In a message dated 4/12/03 5:58:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> chuckschmidt@earthlink.net writes:
>
> > Campagnolo Catalog #17a from 1975 shows steel cage with toe strap loop.
> > Campagnolo Olympic Catalog from 1982 shows steel cage without toe strap
> > loop.
> >
> > Note Campagnolo Catalog #17a Supplement from 1977 does not show pedals.
> >
> > My guess and opinion would be that the loops were eliminated because
> > they limited the size of shoe that could be accommodated without the
> > shoe rubbing on the cranks.
> >
>
> Considering that the loops disappeared about the time of the CPSC "safety"
> changes, it seems a lot more likely that the loops were removed because the
> CPSC considered them a hazard to other riders. This is from the group that
> turned NR brake QRs into coke spoons to make them safer! I find it hard to
> imagine that Tullio cared enough about wide American feet and the resulting
> strap rub marks on cranks, to change a perfectly good part for that reason.
> The only OTHER reason I can think of would be that the black anodized alloy
> pedals had no loops, and perhaps a worn stamping die was replaced with a new
> one that cosmetically matched the "loopless" alloy pedals. This is all
> somewhat conjecture, and if anyone knows or sure speak up, but the change is
> so close to the CPSC changes, that I lean to that being the answer, until
> presented with more of the story.
> Stevan "open minded" Thomas
> Alameda, CA
As long as this is all conjecture...
The Superleggero pedals (black anodized aluminum cages) came out in 1971 without toe strap loops and way before the CPSC safety changes mandated in 1978.
My opinion of how well the loops work? Completely unnecessary and actually not a good thing as far as foot location on the pedal. And why they were eliminated? Another among many examples of Tullio Campagnolo changing parts to improve them.
Chuck Schmidt L.A. http://www.velo-retro.com (Campagnolo Timeline on site)
.