Historic Pro Bike: Andy Hampsten's 1988 7-Eleven Huffy Giro d'Italia

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Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) conquered the Gavia and the Giro d'Italia on this machine in 1988.

Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) conquered the Gavia and the Giro d'Italia on this machine in 1988. (Image credit: James Huang)
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True Temper was once the 'must have' tubing for steel bikes.

True Temper was once the 'must have' tubing for steel bikes. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The 1" straight head tube looks tiny in comparison to today's massive tapered front ends.

The 1" straight head tube looks tiny in comparison to today's massive tapered front ends. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Housing stops like these used to require stepped-down ferrules.

Housing stops like these used to require stepped-down ferrules. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andy Hampsten's (7-Eleven) brake levers sport team-only graphics.

Andy Hampsten's (7-Eleven) brake levers sport team-only graphics. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Note to the keen-eyed: that race number is laminated, not printed.

Note to the keen-eyed: that race number is laminated, not printed. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Radial front lacing was generally only used for time trial wheels back in the day.

Radial front lacing was generally only used for time trial wheels back in the day. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Framebuilders would typically use very slender seat stays in 1988 and interestingly enough, the practice has returned in more recent years.

Framebuilders would typically use very slender seat stays in 1988 and interestingly enough, the practice has returned in more recent years. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) pounded these aluminum box-section tubulars over the Gavia pass in 1988.

Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) pounded these aluminum box-section tubulars over the Gavia pass in 1988. (Image credit: James Huang)
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A Cinelli Volare SLX saddle sits atop a Shimano Dura-Ace seatpost.

A Cinelli Volare SLX saddle sits atop a Shimano Dura-Ace seatpost. (Image credit: James Huang)
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These Campagnolo seat binders were once as good as gold.

These Campagnolo seat binders were once as good as gold. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Integrated, schmintegrated - a good, old-fashioned telescoping seatpost resides in Andy Hampsten's (7-Eleven) old Huffy.

Integrated, schmintegrated - a good, old-fashioned telescoping seatpost resides in Andy Hampsten's (7-Eleven) old Huffy. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Cinelli's XA stem was among the most sought-after in its day.

Cinelli's XA stem was among the most sought-after in its day. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The old Avocet sensors mounted down by the fork tip. Missing is the original magnet ring, though.

The old Avocet sensors mounted down by the fork tip. Missing is the original magnet ring, though. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) preferred more stable handling back in his racing days and still continues with those preferences today.

Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) preferred more stable handling back in his racing days and still continues with those preferences today. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Horizontal dropouts feature built-in fine adjustment screws.

Horizontal dropouts feature built-in fine adjustment screws. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) used a deep-drop Cinelli handlebar back in the day.

Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) used a deep-drop Cinelli handlebar back in the day. (Image credit: James Huang)
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A Shimano Dura-Ace cup-and-cone bottom bracket resides in the lugged shell. Note the separately brazed chain stay bridge, too.

A Shimano Dura-Ace cup-and-cone bottom bracket resides in the lugged shell. Note the separately brazed chain stay bridge, too. (Image credit: James Huang)
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This Shimano Dura-Ace single-pivot brake caliper is over twenty years old but the high-polish aluminum look would still fare well today.

This Shimano Dura-Ace single-pivot brake caliper is over twenty years old but the high-polish aluminum look would still fare well today. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Soldered cable tips present a more nicely finished appearance than end caps.

Soldered cable tips present a more nicely finished appearance than end caps. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andy Hampsten's (7-Eleven) custom-built 'Huffy' wear a seven-speed cassette today but wore a prototype eight-speed one during the '88 Giro.

Andy Hampsten's (7-Eleven) custom-built 'Huffy' wear a seven-speed cassette today but wore a prototype eight-speed one during the '88 Giro. (Image credit: James Huang)
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This SRAM chain is one of the only major standouts from what is otherwise a well restored vintage rig.

This SRAM chain is one of the only major standouts from what is otherwise a well restored vintage rig. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The slim (by modern standards) chain stays gracefully taper from end to end.

The slim (by modern standards) chain stays gracefully taper from end to end. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Avocet computers were in their heyday during the height of Andy Hampsten's (7-Eleven) career.

Avocet computers were in their heyday during the height of Andy Hampsten's (7-Eleven) career. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Shimano's Dura-Ace crankarms once wore a spartan, blocky form.

Shimano's Dura-Ace crankarms once wore a spartan, blocky form. (Image credit: James Huang)
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The frame decals have dried and cracked after years in the arid Colorado climate.

The frame decals have dried and cracked after years in the arid Colorado climate. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Just a hint of rust marks the chromed cage of this Shimano Dura-Ace front derailleur.

Just a hint of rust marks the chromed cage of this Shimano Dura-Ace front derailleur. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Many still miss the days of classic-looking polished aluminum components.

Many still miss the days of classic-looking polished aluminum components. (Image credit: James Huang)
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Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) may not have been the champion of France on these tires but he was certainly the champion of Italy.

Andy Hampsten (7-Eleven) may not have been the champion of France on these tires but he was certainly the champion of Italy. (Image credit: James Huang)

This article was originally published in May 2010, during the 93rd edition of the Giro d'Italia.