Is this the best time to buy those Cambio Corsa and Cambio Paris-Roubaix bikes? Prices have fallen since last year. Has supply exceed demand?
Bikes which last year were selling for $1200 to $2100 seem to have gone back to pre-"Vintage Velos" prices i.e. well below $1000. The restored Ancora which sold this June for 500 Euros (about $625) might have fetch twice that or more last year. Weren't the frankenbolt qr levers and 3-piece hubs as high as $300 in 2002?
That Learco Guerra w/PR which cost me $1000 last summer... I doubt it would bring much over half that on eBay today, but at that time the parts (shifter, hubs, qr levers, brakes, stem and bars) would fetch what I paid for the entire bike, perhaps more.
Perhaps everyone who wanted one, now has two, or three, or more... ?
There are three cambio Corsa bikes at my house, Bianchi, Ancora, and Olmo, plus the Guerra w/P-R, and the pre-war Benotto updated in '48 to Simplex derailleur. If we were on a sinking ship, and I could only save one bike, it would be the Guerra. It's easy to ride, easy to shift, and fun to explain - in an Enginerd-ish kinda way.
Have you ever ridden a sliding-hub bike? Have you ever shifted one?
I don't know if this is common among CC/PR owners, but I find myself shifting less often, pushing the gear on rises, and winding it up on descents. I think modern riders shift their modern bikes too often anyway, so it seems appropriate for this retrogrouch to stay in one gear 90% of the time. Funny, that even as my shifting skills have improved with these bikes, I find myself shifting less often.
Big climbs and big hills still require a change of gear, and I have made a habit of announcing "SHIFTING!" in a loud voice - not so people can watch the shift, but to warn them that I may or may not hold a straight line, maintain a steady speed, or get the desired gear on the first attempt.
Most of my riding companions have learned the rules:
"Do Not Get Behind Me during a shift!"
"Do Not Ride Too Close by my side!"
"Be Prepared to take evasive action!"
"You May become my New Best Friend if I need a push to keep from falling over!" (This rule applies only to experienced riders.)
The three CC bikes all suffer from one problem - the chainrings aren't perfectly round or perfectly centered on the BB spindle, which causes tight spots when pedalling. Add a well-worn cotter arrangement, and it can get even worse. With careful manipulation of the two levers, the chain can be slackened, but it can take time to get it right. With the PR, this adjustment is built-into the shifter, so the chain is never too tight.
Shifting the P-R bike takes about 2 seconds.
Shifting the CC bikes takes anything from 3 to 5 seconds.
Besides tricky shifting, the Bianchi suffers from being a bit on the heavy side. Also, the fenders (which I stubbornly refuse to remove) are the open-sided Italian style, which act like sails in most wind conditions. It's stupid to keep using them on a bike which no longer sees the rain, but they look too wonderful to sacrifice in the name of a mere 2 or 3 MpH increase in avg speed.
The Olmo is about as neutral as a bike can get. On a flat ride requiring few or no shifts, the bike just kinda disappears. It's easy to forget which bike your riding... a bike that's nearing it's 60th birthday, but it might as well be a modern single-speed, or a relaxed track bike, or a walk in the park.
No verdict yet on the ride quality of the Ancora. It was badly damaged in shipping, and is currently at International Pro have the fork straightened. Then it's off to Wheelie Fun for frame alignment.
Note: Never assume anyone else knows how to package a bicycle for shipment overseas, no matter how much of an enthusiast they are. Always send explicite instructions, berhaps accompanied by photos, illustrations, and maybe even a box full of assorted cardboard, wood, rope, foam sheets, etc. Keep in mind that the guy who packed the Ancora owns a bike museum attached to his hotel, and yet he STILL depended on one layer of bubble wrap to protect the frame from the freewheel and axle, resulting in lots of nicks, gouges, and dings. What a pity. I still get a headache writing about it.
I hope everyone is enjoying Pic of the Day. I really enjoy the chance to share these pics. I have about 300 magazines from 1924 to 1960... still lots of gaps to fill, but there's currently enough material for another 24 months or so. Thanks to everyone who has sent comments/corrections/translations/anecdotes. The more information we can add, the better.
Oh, well... time for lunch.
Aldo Ross
Blue Ball, Ohio