I am still confused about the Saavedra company. Some sources say that the Company was Argentine, and to quote the caption on the Saavedra photo Kevin scanned from the book "The High-Tech Bicycle": "Saavedra, an Argentinian builder, better known in Europe than in the States, has been turning out fine handmade bicycle frames for over thirty years-part of that time in Italy..." Others allege that the company made parts in Italy and exported them to Argentina. All this having been said, Saavedra is a common name in Spanish speaking countries (the author of "Don Quixote" was Cervantes y Saavedra). Furthermore, Saavedra was the name of a very popular (on topic) Argentine bike racer. Were there more than one Saavedra in the bike business, one making "fine handmade frames", and other making cheap imitations of Campagnolo parts and even tires? The other more important issue is, did Campagnolo tolerate imitations of its parts? Zeus and perhaps other firms were doing the same thing. Could Campagnolo have conceivably consented, turned a blind eye, or even or play a role in producing a cheap "outlet" type product to appeal to the lower end of the bike market? I'm told that today Campagnolo is very vigorous in protecting its name and designs.
-- George
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA