Another functionally good derailleur for an old French frame with Simplex ends would be a 1980's aluminum Simplex. Handy hint: Long-time Trek dealers are good for an occasional French derailleur for little money. Trek used aluminum Simplex derailleurs on 400 series bikes @1984, and Duopars on the 720 model from 1982 to 1986. Lots of 720's got converted to indexing in the late 80's and there are probably some Duopars and a few functional Simplexes growing cobwebs in Trek dealers in a few locations.
Happy hunting
David Feldman
> In a message dated 11/1/2001 2:29:30 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> Gjvinbikes@aol.com writes:
>
> << What rear derailer should I use? Not the nasty Simplex red-labels, I
hope
> !
> Can I fit something made up from a cleverly bent plate washer to fake a
> screw-stop ? >>
>
> My vote would be to stick to Simplex as they shift wonderfully if set up
> correctly and stay with the original look. You should be able to find some
> nice ones with a little looking!
>
> << How about those odd hubs? >>
>
> Weyless! Excellent Bill Shook design including the eccentric skewers..
> Definitely a collectible bit of Yankee ingenuity!
>
> << Has it been firmly established to there were never any French-threaded
> clipless pedals ever produced, even by Look ? >>
>
> Can't say about that, but those cranks tap out so easily to 9/16"! (What
was
> I saying about staying original? )
>
> Remember, we now know that PX-10s are worth $7100.00!!! ;-)
>
>
> Dale Brown
> Greensboro, NC
> _______________________________________________
>
_________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com