I'm not sure that Campangolo gum hoods from the NR/SR era cracked any faster than gum hoods from any other manufacturer. Modern hoods aren't made of gum rubber, and they last a long time, but that's not what was used on most bikes from our discussion period.
I also think you're misunderstanding the reason people go for correct Campy hoods. I myself wouldn't use them on a daily rider. Modolo, GPM, or Ame substitutes suit me just fine on bikes that gets lots of miles. However, I do want Campagnolo gum hoods on my 1970s and 1980s bike restorations, because that is what they came with. A correct restoration needs the correct parts, or it's something less.
This doesn't really have anything to do with Campy marketing or "snob appeal". It's a fact that my Italian bikes came with Campy levers, and that's what they should get when I restore them.
How could there be any snob appeal to something that 99% riders look at as out-of-date and extremely passe?
Aldo Ross
Middletown, Ohio
> Some on this list seem overly influenced by the "spell" of campagnolo
> marketing nimrods. Does it really affect the performance or
> race-worthiness of a bicycle to have inferior hoods that crack
> quickly, cost a fortune, and say "Campagnolo" with the world logo on
> them ?? Would asian or period swiss or generic no-name or newer-campy
> hoods really harm the mojo all that much ?? this is the sort of thing
> that gives campy a reputation for snob appeal ...
>
> as my dad used to say, "a man on a galloping horse wouldn't know the
> difference!"
>
> why is it that when simplex puts out a piece of junk (prestige
> derailleurs) people scream and rip them off the bike and throw them in
> the trash bin. when campy puts out a piece of junk (world logo hoods)
> there is a severe shortage and the items sell for $72 on ebay (most
> recent price paid) ???
>
> - Don Gillies
> San Diego, CA