Campagnolo “Cambio Corsa” and “Paris Roubaix” explored

Campagnolo Cambio Corsa “duo love” and single lever “Paris Roubaix” shifter systems.

Conventional wisdom has it that the “duo leve” Campagnolo Cambio Corsa was invented by Tullio in 1940 and remained in production in various forms into the 1950s by which time it had become a single lever system. What is known is that Gino Bartali was victorious in the 1948 Tour de France using the two lever system and that Faust Coppi won the 1950 Paris Roubaix using the single lever version that became known as the “Paris Roubaix”,  for obvious reasons.

The system, whether the single or two lever variety employed a quick release for the axle which was splined. And when released the axle could rocked on a toothed drop out, 17 teeth distinguishing the Cambio Corsa and 19 for the Paris Roubaix. In this way the slack in the chain which was not tensioned as per the later Gran Sport parelogram-type or the French Simplex types, could be tightened by back peddling, the axle kept square by the operation of the splines and teeth and then having changed gear, re-tightening the quick release.

There were both a long lever “tourists” type and a short lever “corse” type. Both took some mastering, must have been expensive to produce and would’ve become quickly obsolete when compared to the parallelogram-type upon its introduction and more widespread use. That the system would be used by the greats like Coppi as late as they were is testament to brand loyalty.

1. Early prototype

2. 1949 Bianchi Folgore (https://picasaweb.google.com/114750833926543088629)

3. Campagnolo Cambio Corsa patent (http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2005/02/campagnolos_fir.html)

4. Campagnolo Paris Roubaix patent (http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2005/02/campagnolos_fir.html)

5. Gini Bartali and Cambio Corsa at the 1949 Tour de France (http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Italy/Bartali_Gino.htm)

Faust Coppi using the Cambio Corsa (http://www.expeditionexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1401&page=15)

Tullio with his “duo leve” system

Paris Roubaix type 1

Paris Roubaix type 2

Paris Roubaix type 3

Paris Roubaix type 4

Rossignoli bicycles

Rossignoli began producing bicycles by all accounts in 1900 in Milan. This would make the Rossignoli company one of the oldest continuously operating frame-builders in the world. Presumably the company was connected to Giovanni Rossignoli the professional road bicycle racer. Giovanni Rossignoli’s best career results include a 2nd and 3rd overall classification in the Giro d’Italia and a 10th overall in the Tour de France. The retail shop address is Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 71, Milan and it seems that they have always been at this address from the beginning of the business. A frame decal possibly from the fifties or sixties testifies to the address.

Giovanni Rossignoli

 

The company produces steel framed bicycles to this day and is known for its so-called city bicycles. Indeed the Rossignoli brand is well known.

My research would indicate that early Rossignoli bicycles, especially road types, are relatively rare. The bicycle below is the earliest I am aware of. It does not possess a frame number but is equipped with Campagnolo Cambio Corsa drop outs with the two-lever rod changer system indicating a late 1940s or early 1950s production date. The frame is also light with high quality components.

The shop front with Sergio Rossignoli and family in the 1950s.

The current shop front.

 

A (fifties?) women’s frame.