Big difference. The Prestige has cheap, thin, stamped cage plates, while the Criterium has proper (forged?) cage plates. You have to look closely to tell them apart, but there is a big difference in performance. I think the Criterium shifts better than Campy NR, because of the spring loaded upper pivot which Campy lacked. The Prestige had that pivot also, but the cheap cage ruined its shifting. That said, I certainly wouldn't pay $200 for a Criterium, even an NIB one. BTW, almost all Simplex rear derailleurs regardless of model, are marked "Prestige" and I don't think I've ever seen one marked "Criterium". This leads to much of the confusion over which model is which.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
RALEIGH531@aol.com wrote:
> Same day as this auction was another seller's auction for two sets of used
> F & R Prestige derailleurs finishing up at $5 for both sets!
> http://ebay.com/
> What is the main difference between a Criterium and a Prestige?
> They look suspiciously alike.
> I ask because I have a late 70's Peugeot with a similar derailleur and can't
> decide which it is.
>
> Pete Geurds
> Douglassville, Pa