During my limited time around bikes, since the late 70's, there has always been a population that has gravitated toward the non-Campy alternative. Granted, the majority always wanted and usually had Campagnolo (at least until the 1990's) but there were always those anti-Campy contrarians who took pride in being different, or smarter, or more frugal, or insightful, or whatever. There are the Mavic and OMAS and Zeus users who just wanted something a little more exotic (and not generally cheaper). Then there are the Suntour, Sugino, Tange, etc users who wanted something "just as good" at a better price. Then there were Gippemme, Galli etc kncokoff users.... not sure what they were thinking...
I have one riding buddy in particular who just relished rejecting Campy AND Shimano well past the time when they had become the only game in town. Using Superbe up to the days of Suntours last gasps.
Tom Dalton Bethlehem, PA, USA
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