When I was a poor college student and worked in a bike shop, I couldn't afford Campy. So when I went all out and spent all my limited dollars on my new Jack Taylor frame, I used whatever parts I already had or could afford. The JT ended up with some Campy (small parts, like headset and seatpost), a Sugino Mighty crankset, Suntour bar-end shifters and front derailleur, but the prizes were the Shimano Dura-Ace parts. Dura-Ace was pretty much still new that year (1974) and affordable. I used Shimano Dura-Ace hubs (large flange), brakes, and a Crane rear derailleur. They all worked great.
Had I been able to afford it, no question, I would have used 100% Campy. But over time I came to appreciate the comparative higher level of finish (wonderful pearl anodizing) and beauty in the Dura-Ace hubs and brakes and the superior shifting of the Crane rear derailleur. No question that the Sun-Tour bar-ends were superior to the Campys (IMHO).
I am also very fond of the Mavic "erector set" rear derailleur -- perhaps not a true "Campy copy", but rather a vast improvement that still used the basic Campy geometry.
I look forward to meting many of you at the Cirque this year!
Cheers!
David
David G. White
Burlington, VT