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Bikerumor Monday Mystery Pic From Italy

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bikerumor monday mystery pic from italy

Photo submitted by Federico, “Here is a really weird object, from the collection of my dear friend Emilio Zanzi, a passionate old bicycle mechanic.” Federico sent us the answer, which we will post tomorrow in the Comments section. Until then, do you know what it is?

To send in your own Mystery Pic to be considered for the Monday feature, click here and attach your photo with all pertinent information.

A picture of the box it came in after the break.

a feet action rear derailleur by cambia

Answer from Federico: “It’s a ‘feet action rear derailleur’, as you can read in the pic showing the box. Pushing the right feet on the triple-leverage, the pulley moves a step left on the bigger cog. A push, a cog, till the pulley shifts back again on the little cog.”

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Chad
Chad
11 years ago

Chain tensioner for the timing chain of a tandem.

Yeah haw!
Yeah haw!
11 years ago

Definitely Campag spurs for a seatpost

JR Z
JR Z
11 years ago

I was thinking it was more like and old derailler (ignore spelling), considering it looks like it mounts at the axel and can quickly adjust the chain.

Your Face
Your Face
11 years ago

Yup, Campy spurs.

Lance
11 years ago

Old style manual derailler… dismount, then turn the handle to move the chain to another gear, remount and ride. reproduce it in Ti or Carbon, and you’d sell the hell out of them to weight winnies.

Buckwheatly
Buckwheatly
11 years ago

Lance is almost right, manual that you us your heal to change gears while staying on the bike. I want one for my 3 speed!

p.murf
p.murf
11 years ago

@Lance – ha! good point.

Bunyip
Bunyip
11 years ago

Yep, old style manual derailleur. Before the advent of cables and shifters. Certainly would sell like mad now to the “hip” crowd.

Charlie B.
Charlie B.
11 years ago

Chain keeper for working on bikes with the rear wheel off?

adam
adam
11 years ago

special tool for opening the can of campagnolo special grease

Shanghaied
Shanghaied
11 years ago

@Lance – definitely a derailleur, but I think you are giving bike designers of the past too much credit in terms of ergonomics and safety – that thing looks like it’s foot-operated, while riding. Not gonna lie though, I’d pay good money for a modern Cambiocorsa replica.

kurti_sc
kurti_sc
11 years ago

My guess – and only a guess – a tool for frame building. It allows you to place the chainline before welding or brazing the rear seat stays into place.

michael gleason
michael gleason
11 years ago

first generation kick brake

Tom
Tom
11 years ago

Mid 40’s API Sport Derailleur. Foot operated!

CM
CM
11 years ago

@adam

LOL good one.

Matt
Matt
11 years ago

Chain tensioner.

Saris Mercanti
11 years ago

Campy Seatpost?

I’m actually dying to know the answer to this one..

me
me
11 years ago

i wanna go with foot operated derailleur but i’m thinking it wont work with a single pulley. whatever it is, definitely made for foot actuation. looks like it would be a single direction movement of the chain, say 2 or 3 cogs enabling reduction as the hill got steeper or tougher.

the casting is really nice and reeks of ’40s ’50s italian as to the nuts.

but lacking a second pulley…

ophir
ophir
11 years ago

from what year is it ?

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