Icons of cycling: Campagnolo Record hub

We chart how one Italian’s misfortune fuelled a slew of cycling innovations that led to a stunning hub adored by the pros

Campag’s Record hub: often imitated, seldom bettered. Image: Cycling Weekly Archive

It’s only right the inventor of the quick-release mechanism should go on to produce the very best hubs — not only unmatched in quality of materials and build, but also up there with the most beautiful cycling components ever made.

The story of how Tullio Campagnolo dreamed up the quick-release is a familiar one: on the snowy Croce d’Aune pass during the 1927 Gran Premio della Vittoria, the Italian wanted to flip his rear wheel to change sprockets, but his fingers were too numb to undo the wing nuts that held it in place.

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Simon Smythe

Simon Smythe is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. These days he spends most of his time testing road bikes, or on a tandem doing the school run with his younger son.