John - I have a pair of the 3-piece BiValents, and it never occurred to me that they might be as old as the 1950s. If memory serves (always a question), I first saw BiValents in Oregon, about 1972 - 74, when there was quite a buzz about them (as new?). In retrospect, I'm sure that my buddy Jim Papadopoulos had the 3-piece on his '65 Paramount, but we all "understood" that they were retrofit, by the first owner. How do I recall that so clearly? Jim was a strong kid, and sheared off the connection between spline set and hub shell on three of his four hubs. My understanding back then was that this happened with the 3-piece, and that's why they went to the single-piece (aluminum) shells. Despite running as low as a 28 tooth cog, I've never sheared one. But, I'm not young and strong.
Someone please check CONI to see if it says, but my guess is that the whole system is not much older than that book.
Please don't tell the Cirque judges that I'm bringing my 3-piece BiValents on my 71 Cinelli. OTOH, the bike has so much patina that it's never in contention for anything except a wonderful ride.
harvey sachs mcLean va ++++++++++++++++++ John Barron wrote (about his lovely '63 Cinelli): <snip> I believe that the bivalents could have too. At one time I owned the 3-piece version of the bivalent hubs, so I assume that these were available as far back as the 50's... Can anyone speak to this?>