Wolber Cross 28 Extra Cyclocross Tubulars

No, this has nothing to do with track bikes. On the contrary, on the track everything is comfy, clean and smooth, while cyclocross is cold, dirty, muddy and rough. The thing that they have in common is fun! I started a classic cyclocross project more than a year ago by purchasing an old Alan Super cyclocross frame. I've made it ready to ride for a classic road ride last September, but now it's time for the next steps: make it offroad ready. The indexed Shimano bar end shifter has to go and to be replaced by a Suntour. The large 48T ring has been replaced by a 44T. And most important: knobbly tyres. Until the late 1990s, when Michelin introduced the Wildgripper Sprints, there were no good clinchers for 'cross, so you had to ride with tubulars. Many years before André Dugast came up with his superior line of CX tubs, people had to ride Clément Grifo, which was the best and the standard. Of course, there were alternatives, like Wolber, Barum, and several (other) eastern European products. Wolber was available, affordable and more or less good quality. It couldn't compete with Clément, but for touring, training and racing, it was good enough for less wealthy people. Cross 28 has a Grifo-like "tractor" tread, which is good for 80 to 90% of all terrains. Cross section is a bit skinny, but because the canvas is not that supple and the inner tube is Butyl, a wider tyre would be almost impossible to ride. In the 1980s, 28 mm was quite normal. Besides the Cross 28 extra, Wolber also had a more heavy duty Cross Super with round studs tread and was called Cross Super. Even skinnier at 25.5 mm and suitable for muck and snow.

Campagnolo SGR pedals

Campagnolo's own attempt to make clipless pedals. As Campagnolo did a few times in those days, it was completely over-enigeered. Lots of featers and functions, but not suitable for a product like a road racing bicycle. Typically Campagnolo: beautiul design, horrendous function. More or less the same as other stuf from that era: Delta brakes, Syncro-I shifters, MTB gruppo, ...
I got one of the first testable samples and I took them out as soon as I could. But soon it became clear, that the shoes had to stay on the bike, whenever you tried to get off from the bike. So, instead of clicking out, you had to unlace the shoes and walk away on socks.
A summary of the pedal features:
The Campagnolo SGR is more than just a simple component and in keeping with the latest technology from Campagnolo.
The SGR is a true machine in itself. Concealed within the pedal body are three separate mechanisms: the adjustable release tension, the adjustment of lateral freeplay and Campagnolo’s patented “Easy Fitting System”.
Thanks to the technically innovative “Easy Fitting System” the pedal will maintain a horizontal position after the shoe has been disengaged. This feature eliminates the need to “kick” the pedal up when engaging the shoe guaranteeing fast, easy entry whether in a tightly bunched peloton or on a crowded city street. As soon as the shoe is engaged the pedal is free to rotate.
The second mechanism allows one to adjust the amount of lateral freeplay the shoe has on the pedal. This lateral movement can be adjusted from 0 degrees (shoe completely locked) up to a maximum of 5 degrees of float.
A third mechanism uses a 4mm allen screw to easily adjust the tension of the release spring.
The Campagnolo SGR pedals feature Campagnolo’s new “Triple Bearing System” supporting a hardened chromemoly axle. The body is made of Avional aluminium and all internal parts are sealed from the elements. The pedal can be easily lubricated via two lube ports on the underside of the pedal.

SOLD: Adidas Pista racing shoes, size 44 2/3

SOLD: Adidas Pista racing shoes, size 44 2/3
NIB - New In Box
Size: see photo of box.
Compatible with Adidas and "Look" cleats. Shimano cleats SM-PD64 for Dura Ace pedals PD-7400 will also fit.
Price excl. postage.

I bought these via Ebay and wasn't sure if they would fit. The size is 44 2/3 and my regular shoe size is only 42 to 43. But Adidas cycling shoes usually are pretty small, so there was a reasonable chance that they would fit. After trying them on, the conclusion is that I can ride them, but they're just a littlebit too large.
I can't decide if I will keep them, just for the exclusiveness, or if I will sell these very rare and exclusive track cycling shoes.
In the past, around 1986, I've used the popular Adidas mesh road cycling shoes (Merckx Comp, the ones with the white and red stripes)and I loved them. Also, my Systeme 3 shoes feel fine, although these could have been a bit larger.

Benotto Modelo 24 Ragazzino update 25/Aug/2012

There is still some work to do, but overall it looks better now.
What have I done this time?.
Now Old Stock Selle San Marco Concor Junior saddle from the 1980s. Much nicer and better looing than the previous Concor light.
Aluminium seat post, quill type. Unfortunately still this type without a "patent" type saddle clamp. Still looking for that, diameter 26.0 or 26.2 mm.
Replaced the foolish Alhonga brake levers for more period correct Shimano Z-series brake levers with non-aero cable routing. To enable my son to reach the lever blades, I filed of some material from the bottom of the lever brackets, so they come a bit closer to the handlebars. Works great, never thought of this before!
EDIT: I must remove more, since the reach is still too much...
Brake calipers replaced with Shimano 105 series: BR-1050. Now it's more (but still not 100%) period correct and in line with the rest of the (shifting) parts.
Everything fits and works perfectly now. This week I have to glue the tubular tyres and, if the weather is nice, we'll take the bike out for a classic bike tour and show off next Sunday!

This bike on Velospace

SOLD: Shimano Dura Ace toe clips

SOLD: SHIMANO DURA ACE TOE CLIPS, SIZE L, NEW!!!
NIP - New In Package
NOS - New Old Stock
These chrome plated steel toe clips are 100% new.
Never used or mounted.
Can be combined with PD-7400, Ultegra or older Dura Ace EX, Dura Ace AX and 600 pedals.
Rare, certainly in this NEW condition. Most pedals come with M-size toe clips, too small for most riders. Still in original plastic bag.

Selle Italia Turbo Matic 2 saddle

One of the most successful models of the Turbo range. Turbo Matic saddles have 3 elastomere pieces that connect the saddle rails with the saddle upper, offering a certain degree of suspension. It's hard to say if the popularity of this saddle has much to do with this elastomere technology. Comfort has to do with upper material, saddle shape, rail design and material and saddle padding. The importance of the elastomere is unclear, but all aspects together have made this an extremely popular saddle that is still in use after more than 25 years. The modern remakes of Turbo Matic saddles are regarded as a lower quality saddle, but I can't tell if that's true or not. But some pro riders still use it. I can imagine that Selle Italia makes small quantities of original Turbo Matics especially for them.

Cinelli M71 pedals

Cinelli M71 pedals are (one of the) first clipless pedals on the market. There have been single sets and prototypes, but Cinelli was one of the first companies with mass production. This sample seems to be of the 4th generation M71. At the backside of the pedal, there is a lever, that has to be operated to lock or to release the shoe. This asks the rider to do more or less the same movement as to tighten or release toe straps with conventional pedals. Same as the later Adidas System 3, the shoe cleat slides into the sides of the pedal platform. A pin pops up when the lever is pulled outwards and the shoe is locked in place. When the lever is slided inwards again, the pin moves down again and the shoe with cleat can be slided out from the pedal.

Selle Royal Super Contour saddle

I have no idea where this memory comes from.
When I started road racing and cycling in competition, Cinelli Unicanitor was the No. 1 saddle and as a cheaper alternative, there was Arius Gran Carrera. That has been a stable situation for years.
All of a sudden, there was the Concor saddle, a bit later the Turbo, Rolls, and then the situation changed every year. Since then, not a single saddle type was that dominant again.
But during these monopoly situations, there have been some interesting alternatives.
One of them used to be Selle Royal Super Contour. This used to be a top class racing saddle, without the dominant position of Unicanitor or Concor.
For some reason, I have the memory, that Gazelle put these saddles on their road bikes as an alternative, another hi end saddle, to set themselves off from the competition.
But I guess that the famous Gazelle amateur racing team used Unicanitors and, later, Rolls. Even the old Gazelle catalogues don't show a single Super Contour.
The only thing I can think of is that these saddles were in Gazelle's wholesale department as some kind of unique item.
Anyway, for some reason Selle Royal Super Contour is saddle with a high value to me.
High quality, super appearance, high image.
But low quantities, thus hard to get. There're just a few pieced on Flickr and even no listing in Velobase. Recently, one was sold on Ebay by Roman Hermann in Lichtenstein and that one went for over EUR 100.- ...
Yesterday, I went to a yearly bike jumble. Walked in at 10:15, paid my EUR 2.- entrance fee and started walking around the tables with all kind of junk. Approximately at table no. 10, there it was! A Super Contour! I picked it up, saw that it was brand new. When I looked at the seller, I realised that I knew this man. We had a nice chat, picked up some memories and finally made a deal for the saddle. Ridiculously low amount.
Funny is, that nearly every time you se this kind of saddle, it has either a Gazelle or a Moser logo or name on it.
So, it looks like Selle Royal made some special arrangements with some good customers.
I'll try to collect a bit more information about this saddle type and its history. For sure, it will not be easy.

Pins

Some old stuff from a drawer.
Pins:
- Campagnolo L.A. 1984 olympics
- USCF United States Cycling Federation
- Giant bicycles
- Specialized
- AXA 1,000,000 dynamos.

SOLD: Campagnolo chain ring, 49 T, 151 mm BCD, 3/32"

SOLD: CAMPAGNOLO CHAIN RING 49 TEETH, 151 MM BCD, 3/32", NEW!!!
NIP - New In Package
NOS - New Old Stock
This beautiful chain ring is 100% new and unused.
Never used or mounted.
Early style "Record" chain ring for road (strada), but also possible for track (pista).
Stamped "Patent Campagnolo" and "49".
Bold Circle Diameter (BCD) = 151 mm, so pre 1967 (?).
For narrow chain (3/32"), however, it can be combined with a 1/4" chain.
Very, very rare. Certainly in this NEW condition. Still in original paper cover / package.
Price excl. postage.

Rossin Pista specification

Frame and fork: Rossin Pista, 50 cm centre to top, Italian Columbus steel from tubing from the 1980s
Cranks: Campagnolo Pista, 165 mm, BCD 151 mm, 48T, 3/32"
BB set: Gipiemme
Front hub: Campagnolo Pista 32H
Rear hub: Campagnolo Pista 32H
Rims: Campagnolo Victory Strada 32H tubular
Tubulars: Clément / Vittoria Cronometro CS
Sprocket: Shimano Dura Ace 16T 3/32" (others available)
Chain: Sedis Pro silver coloured 3/32"
Pedals: Campagnolo Pista steel
Toe clips: Campagnolo steel
Toe straps: Alfredo Binda
Saddle: 3ttt # 30 Superleggero
Seat post: 3ttt Mod. Record , 27.2 mm
Stem: 3ttt Pista No. 3; 58 degrees; 12 cm.
Handlebars: 3ttt Competizione Gimondi 44 o-o
Bar tape: Cat eye cotton / cloth

Rossin Pista ready

Finally! The Rossin Pista is ready. Chain ring, cog, chain and tubulars installed, bar tape wrapped. Here's the first picture of the finished bike. And now waiting for someone who's able and has the guts to ride it. This bike on Velospace

Selle Royal CX saddle

This saddle was the last real attempt of Selle Royal to offer a real racing saddle. The CX was launched in the second half of the 1980s.
All I do remember of this saddle is that it looked great, but it was terribly uncomfortable. I think I got one of the 1st sample, but took it off my bike after the first attempt. Nearly everybody must have had the same feeling, judging by the rare reviews available on the web. Anyway, the saddle was not a success, thus very rare at this moment. Nice collectors item.
The nose of the saddle is open, letting the air flowing through the saddle. A nice aerodynmic feature for the early time trial bikes, at least in theory.
The curves at the back of the rails should offer some suspension and comfort.
Last photo: how the saddle comes new in box: together with saddle cover and brochure.

Chain ring Campagnolo 49 teeth, BCD 144 mm, 3/32"

To be honest, I was looking for a chain ring with BCD 151 mm, but by mistake I clicked on an Ebay item with BCD 144 mm. No problem, since most of my cranks and rings are 144 mm and I didn't have a 49T yet, so this is a welcome addition to my range of track chain rings.
Same as this chain ring (which IS 151 mm though), it is the "Record" type, which is good and nice.
It's not completely new, but it has just minimal wear signs. So, decades of life in it.

Chain ring Campagnolo 48 teeth, BCD 151 mm, 3/32"

Damn, this was hard!
It took me month to get a Campagnolo chain ring with a BCD (bolt circle diameter) of 151 mm. I didn't care if it was for a 3/32" or 1/8" chain. It just had to be affordable / available at a reasonable price.
And finally I got exactly what I wanted! 3/32" is ideal, because most of my other rings have that size. That means good compatibility. And this ring should go on a very small bike, maybe for a junior rider, so the no. of teeth should be not too high. 48 teeth is ideal, because I can also use it myself, for example with a 14 or 15 teeth sprocket.
What's the deal with the 151 mm BCD?
To be honest, that's a bit of a problem. When I bought a Campagnolo Pista chain set, I was convinced that the BCD was 144 mm, same as the sets on my other track bikes.
What I wanted to finish the build (I thought I had all the parts), it turned out that things didn't fit, because of the crank's BCD. What a mistake!
Even then, I thought that it wouldn't be a huge problem to get a fitting chain ring. Well, I was wrong!
First of all, these rings are very rare. And because of that, other buyers push the price up sky high. Or the sellers know pretty well what these rings can be worth and ask insane prices.
Then the last hurdle: this is the 3rd 151mm chain ring that I've bought, but the 1st two are still "on the way". And so is another, 144mm, ring. It looks like postmen in U.K. or The Netherlands collect chain rings. I doubt if these 3 missing rings will ever show up. Waiting already several months now and the busy month of Christmas is already far behind us.
But at this moment I'm so happy that I received this part. And it's all perfect: affordable price, 3/32", 48 teeth, Record style and New Old Stock!
For the bike in question (Rossin), I prefer the Record "double rim" chain ring style over the more prestigious Super Record. I remember that "Record" looked more average or even cheap, while a Super Record had the image of quality, value, pro, etc. We all know how much of a snob or poseur we are if that makes the difference, but that's how things go.
Super Record may have more prestige, but this Record is just nicer!

What's the story of the different BCDs?'
That's the Campagnolo history / time line.
During the ages, they changed the diameter a couple of times.
Maybe a larger circle (crank spider) offered more stiffness and less wobbling chain rings, it limited the choice of (small) chain rings.
The original size of a 5 arm spider was 151 mm, introduced in 1958 (?).
Later (1967?), it was reduced to 144 mm, the current standard for track cranks (that don't need a second or third small ring). This can take 41 teeth chain rings, vs. 44 teeth as a minimum for 151 mm cranks.
The actual BCD (since 1984?) for road cranks is 135 mm for Campagnolo (smallest chain ring 39 teeth) and 130mm for Shimano and most other manufacturers. "Compact" cranks for double rings go down to 110 mm, an old MTB standard.