It’s all in the details. I admit it, I am a purist and I am about to make you one too.
So, here we go: Campagnolo super record brake levers explained
1st Generation: 1973-(’75?)* (long reach)
- anodised alloy body
- flatter, longer at the bottom
- less space between the logo and top of the lever
- chromed brev. Campagnolo clamp
- stamped “camp.” in the bushing for the cable
*Why 1975? Most other Campagnolo parts changed in 1978. So why do we date these levers to end earlier? Well, we (and several other collectors) have kept an eye on those 1978 bicycles with Super Record components and so far we have not found these levers on a bike after 1975 in combination with the first generation Super Record headset. Bicycles in original condition from the era ’72-’76 with Super Record are already very rare. About 1/35 Super Record levers are first generation in my personal collection. So like those old Nuovo Record levers and first gen Super Record headsets, these levers are rare. Not to mention in original, scratch free, untouched condition.
2nd Generation (’76?)-’85* (short reach)
- anodised alloy body
- thicker at the bottom
- more space between the logo and top of the lever
- chromed brev Campagnolo clamp
- stamped “camp.” in the bushing for the cable
- most common levers, came with brown hoods shield or globe logo AND white for probably less than half a year (1984-ish)
3rd Generation ’85-’87
- anodised alloy body
- thicker at the bottom
- more space between the logo and top of the lever
- chromed clamp with stamped Campagnolo shield logo, stud and nut (no stud and hex bolt like the c-record clamps!)
- nothing stamped in the bushing for the cable (FASTEST WAY TO RECOGNIZE THEM)
If NOS Campagnolo bike parts turn you on, you might get lucky with these. You are very likely to find NOS 3rd generation Super Record brake levers due to a slight ‘over production’ when everyone opted for aero and Cobalto/ C-Record levers. So don’t go mad and pay 300 dollars for a pair on ebay… there should be plenty out there (for now).
Exceptions
‘factory’ aero model:
As you can see here, the lever body was drilled prior to the anodizing process.
- special casted lever body with extra notch inside
- introduced around 1983, limited production for pro teams at first
- as far as we know they came on moser TT bikes and some Cinellis (?)
- these started in a ‘pre-‘ cobalto/ aero era. the cast bodies are still used in later model SR levers
- they are not featured in any catalog, possibly not available for the main public at the time
Campyoldy.co.uk has also stated to have had several factory aero brake levers from back in the day, this was his last set for sale:
Homemade aero conversion
***oops no pictures yet***
The same conversion is done with Nuovo Record, Triomphe or Victory models. We haven’t seen any modified Gran Sport levers yet, who accepts the challenge?
- several “solutions”
- be sure to check for faults and safety before you use them on a bike, not all solutions are well excecuted
Be First to Comment