Jerry Moos said:
I think the idea of the reverse action of some Suntour front derailleurs was that it would be less confusing for new users, in that the front and rear derailleurs would work the same, i.e. pulling the lever back would shift to a lower (easier) gear in each case. This is in contrast to the classic design were pulling back on the lever shifts to a lower gear in the rear, but a higher gear in front. It may have been less confusing for new users, but it confused the heck out of experienced derailleur users. Another example of an interesting idea whose time just never came.
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I like the Suntour Spirt and the Compe V with reverse action and I still have one on my tandem. The SL with the alloy cage was not a good idea as it got scored up by the chain. As to their time never coming, I bet Suntour sold more of these in one year than the entire run of Campy Record front derailleurs. Of course the Spirt sold for $4.95 which helps. These derailleurs were so easy to maintain as they snapped apart like the 60's Campys. They also work nicely on triples but need a full width chain. As to the confusion of which shifting direction I suspect 80% of bike buyers still don't figure out how to shift their bikes properly.
On a different front I was packing up my bike stuff today for the move to New Jersey. You know you are nuts when the box labelled chains and freewheels weighs 55 pounds. I also have at least 20 pounds of cables and housing.
Of course the task takes 3 times longer while completing half finished jobs and bikes with parts scattered all over. I discovered the Chater Lea chainring on my Sieber is stamped with with the name of Eisenmann, the US importer- the ultimate concours point for that marque in the US. Also the diameter of thin old steel seatposts depends on where you measure. Measure the eccentricity carefully and adjust as necessary in a vice.
I have a '97 Indian made BSA roadster in pieces. It is missing the headset top race and a clamp for a rod brake. The clamp is basically a small eye bolt. I doubt that anything changes much over the years on these so anyone have the parts? The "Brooks" saddle on this is a hoot as well as the nice BSA headbadge and decals. TI mercilessly exploited its brands worldwide I guess. Its classic just because- like track bikes.
Joe Bender-Zanoni
Ann Arbor MI this weekend