[CR]campagnolo cobalto lever question

(Example: Racing:Jacques Boyer)

Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2007 06:53:58 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tom Dalton" <tom_s_dalton@yahoo.com>
To: mark@sisuhome.com, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]campagnolo cobalto lever question

Two things to add to Chuck's typically accurate response.

Around 1982-1985, there were some Campy equipped pro teams that used Super Record levers that had been modified for aero routing. Using these levers required drilling the bar, and routing the cables through the handlebar. During the first couple years of production Campy areo levers (Cobaltos and Deltas), many riders continued drilling their bars and routing the cables internally. This is why the levers were provided un-notched, but with the thinned areas that could be easily cut out with a round file should you wish to route under the tape. If you look at photos from the 1986 racing season, you see a lot of drilled bars. After that year, you see more and more riders with under-the-tape routing. I recall hearing, and even seeing a photo or two, of pro riders breaking bars that had been drilled. I think bar breakage is why the under-the-tape routing won out, once that option was available.

Also, the levers in your photos appear to be the C-Record Delta levers, not Cobaltos. The Cobaltos had no QR on the lever, while all three versions of the Delta levers had that QR button. The Cobalto required a unique hood, while the Deltas used the same hood style as Chorus, Athena, etc. This is all getting off-topic, but since I mentioned the early SR aero levers...

Tom Dalton Bethlehem, PA, USA

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