What the heck are those?

**roguedog** · 01-27-2007, 09:32 AM

Bike porn...

But I'm wondering what the heck those things are in the back? Quick release for what??

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA...corsa-bike.htm

**DebW** · 01-27-2007, 10:08 AM

I bet he shifts with those. It's set up like a track/single speed but with several rear cogs but no derailleur. The forward lever has a gizmo that could move the chain. But does he open the rear hub QR while riding and retension the chain?

**KnottedYet** · 01-27-2007, 10:39 AM

I remember reading about that kind of shifting, but never saw pictures of it. Pretty cool!

**Thorn** · 01-27-2007, 10:49 AM

First time I saw a bike like that was in a museum in Italy. Being engineers, my DH and I were trying to decode the Italian plaque and figure out how it worked. At the time a tour bus of elderly Italians came by and one of the men, stopped to talk (of course Italian was limited to hello/goodbye so it wasn't a very fruitful discussion). He was awed because this was "Coppi's bike". Sadly, I also didn't know who Coppi was (but I do now) so I couldn't share his awe.

Anyway, best as I recall....this is an early derailleur. You change while you're riding. One of the quick release thingies disengages the wheel (just like your rear wheel quick release). Then you pedal backwards, change gears, reconnect and start pedalling again. Well....something like that...all while not falling down.

And, I complain when I mis-shift ????<hrrumph/>

Edit: Can't seem to find someone who really explains how it works, but I found this referece: http://patentpending.blogs.com/paten...nolos_fir.html The blogger has all sorts of fun historical bike tidbits (well, fun for an engineer)

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 01-27-2007, 11:31 AM

That guy needs some new shoes. And straighten those feet, buddy!

**KnottedYet** · 01-27-2007, 11:42 AM

Are you talking about Ed Litton?

**Trek420** · 01-28-2007, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

That guy needs some new shoes. And straighten those feet, buddy!

Lisa. I debated posting this but thought it's ok to know that when I was hanging out around the LBS and chatting with R'dog that Chris mentioned the part of the re-build Ed will do needs to be scheduled around that is either before .... or after pending hip reconstructive surgery.

So I don't think the feet are his choice

Can't speak for the shoes though

I'm inspired by people who do amazing things under any sort of physical challenge. Sounds like Ed will be back better than ever.

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 01-28-2007, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Trek420

Lisa. I debated posting this but thought it's ok to know that when I was hanging out around the LBS and chatting with R'dog that Chris mentioned the part of the re-build Ed will do needs to be scheduled around that is either before .... or after pending hip reconstructive surgery.

So I don't think the feet are his choice

Can't speak for the shoes though

I'm inspired by people who do amazing things under any sort of physical challenge. Sounds like Ed will be back better than ever.

Yes I was noticing that whoever it was walking away in that first bike picture had what appeared to be the sole of one shoe splitting in half (time for new shoes?), and also they seemed to be walking with their feet pointing way out to the sides. Lots of people do walk that way from just a lifetime of bad posture/walking habits, so I assumed that. Of course, if the splayed feet in question are due to hip problems, well I certainly sympathize with that and hope his surgery can help correct whatever problem he is having. No cruelness intended.

But new shoes might be a good thing anyway!

**KnottedYet** · 01-28-2007, 02:39 PM

I'd be happy to help him shop for new shoes in exchange for a signed bike frame....

**Jenerator** · 01-27-2007, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Thorn

First time I saw a bike like that was in a museum in Italy. Being engineers, my DH and I were trying to decode the Italian plaque and figure out how it worked. At the time a tour bus of elderly Italians came by and one of the men, stopped to talk (of course Italian was limited to hello/goodbye so it wasn't a very fruitful discussion). He was awed because this was "Coppi's bike". Sadly, I also didn't know who Coppi was (but I do now) so I couldn't share his awe.

Anyway, best as I recall....this is an early derailleur. You change while you're riding. One of the quick release thingies disengages the wheel (just like your rear wheel quick release). Then you pedal backwards, change gears, reconnect and start pedalling again. Well....something like that...all while not falling down.

And, I complain when I mis-shift ????<hrrumph/>

Edit: Can't seem to find someone who really explains how it works, but I found this referece: http://patentpending.blogs.com/paten...nolos_fir.html The blogger has all sorts of fun historical bike tidbits (well, fun for an engineer)

This site has some more of the history and an explanation of how the Campio Corsa works.

Here's a video of a gear change in action. Much smoother than I would have expected.

**KnottedYet** · 01-27-2007, 08:30 PM

Wow, that is a smooth shift!

**Wahine** · 01-27-2007, 09:08 PM

That is really cool. I've never seen anything like it.

**roguedog** · 01-27-2007, 10:00 PM

Very cool.. Hey I learned something. Nice link to the history too Jen. And the video is cool too.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY RODE THE TDF WITH 2 GEARS. Those men probably don't have any knees left.

Geez. Seriously, makes ya wonder if the riders have been getting better or if it's just the equpiment!

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