Dura Ace RD-7401 Rear Derailleur - The Rise of Dura Ace

Although marketed as a 7-speed SIS derailleur, the 7401 could be used with 6, 7, or 8 speed drivetrains. The industrial design is elegant, the lines, fit, and finish, impeccable. All this reflects the devotion to detail that remains a hallmark of Shimano engineering. 

1986 marked a turning point for road components as Shimano began, finally, to outshine Campagnolo with index shifting technology. It was an exciting time in cycling history as we watched Dura Ace, in particular, but even the Shimano 600 line continue to rise in popularity. For decades, Campagnolo was the pro cyclist's first choice for reliability and performance. At this point, however, we were witnessing something that most hadn't predicted - the gradual but undeniable adoption by pro teams of Shimano Dura Ace. The seemingly-indomitable Italian giant finally had some formidable competition. 

Mavic 851 SSC (professional) Rear Derailleur

Found this Mavic 851 at the Whittier bicycle swap meet last Saturday. I'm quite pleased with the price I paid as well as the condition of this fine mech. Plus, it's just so damn cool looking!

These were made in the mid 1980s and designed in such a manner that all of the individual parts are replaceable. This is the reason that, when looking up this model on eBay, so many of the auctions are for the pieces of the derailleur - and these come at a premium price. 

This may get mounted some day, but for now, I'm keeping it clean and in a spot where it can be appreciated by like-minded vintage enthusiasts (nut cases). :)

Click HERE for the VeloBase entry for this Mavic. I kinda like the fact that mine is in better shape than the one on VeloBase. 

Campagnolo Nuovo Record Long Cage Derailleur

Campagnolo Nuovo Record with Rally cage

This 1976 Campagnolo Nuovo Record long cage derailleur is a freak, a mutation, a grotesque monstrosity that shifts better than any other long cage I've ever owned. Purists beware...this post may offend.


No, Campagnolo didn't offer this in their line, but a great mechanic named Spence Wolf at the Cupertino Bike shop in Northern CA did a lot of these mods back in the 70s (see pic below). 

Spence Wolf mod

Mine is simply a Campagnolo Rally cage bolted onto a Nuovo Record derailleur. It came mounted in my old Klein touring bicycle and, capably, nearly silently, pushes the chain along the six speed, 13-30 range. 


Here's a couple more mods:

[Community member quote] "I am running NR and SR derailleurs with Rally cages on two bikes, and an old steel Record with copy of last gen Rally cage which is longer, and they all shift great.  Faster than Rally and I think it covers a greater range since the upper pulley can't pull itself into the large cog.  The longer cage on the steel Record allows me to use 28-44-48 and 13-31, a range of 38 teeth, with ease.  The longer cages are being reproduced now and will be available before too long.  In versions to fit all of the above derailleurs.  Pics show the steel Record and the cage I copied on a last gen Rally."

Campagnolo Super Record with a Lepree cage

Have any photos of other derailleur mods? Send them on in and I'll post them. VintageRacingBicycles [at] gmail.com   Thanks!

1973* Campagnolo Nuovo Record Derailleur

I purchased this on eBay a week ago or so, and was surprised when it arrived yesterday at the overall excellent condition of this Campagnolo Nuovo Record derailleur. Very few sings of oxidation, only minor abrasions, and even the return spring action is still strong. 


Keen eyes might notice a missing tooth or two on the jockey wheels. No biggie. This isn't going on a bicycle anytime soon. I know - Gasp! Criminal, right? Fact is, I'm building a vintage parts museum that will represent iconic bicycle parts from the last 50 years, so finding decent representative parts is hard enough; I'm not going to then thrash them by putting them to use. 

There's a strong argument that bikes are meant to be ridden, and parts are meant to be used. I can make the argument that some bicycles can be considered works of art, and the same goes for parts. Tributes to industrial design, if you will. I own bicycles that I rotate out and ride on a regular basis, but I also have a couple that I like to keep in pristine condition, so I don't ride them. It's not like the world has a bicycle shortage. I'm not hording pennies, for crying out loud. 

What's your opinion? Do you keep any parts to display and/or admire? What about whole bicycles - have any that you never ride, just look at?


* Year is approximate - Brev. Int. Campagnolo

1971 Campagnolo Gran Turismo Derailleur

I bought this Campagnolo Gran Turismo derailleur as the start of a vintage bicycele parts collection. The Gran Turismo was introduced in 1971 and was on the lower price and quality end of the Campagnolo derailleur line. It had a super wide gearing range, and looks more like a Ninja weapon than a bicycle part. Heavy too - all steel construction without any efforts on weight savings. I dissassembled it and shined it up a bit. Looks nice sitting in my display case :)


Any experiences with vintage Campagnolo derailleurs? Chime in below by leaving a comment, or send photos and your stoy to vintageracingbicycles [at] gmail.com.