Phil Brown is right, and glad he fixed Hilary's mistake. It has always been my understanding that these were sold to allow use of the older, large wrap diameter, Cyclo, Simplex and similar levers with "modern" parallelogram derailleurs. The big diameter levers were designed for the the Cyclo and Simplex derailleurs on which the cage assembly rode on a rod that was mounted parallel to the hub axle, but lower. They needed more cable travel. I alwayse assumed, but don't know, that the demultiplicator was cheaper than changing the lever. Now that I think about it, I really like Phil's explanation that the chief value was psychological...
harvey sachs
At 10:35 2/23/2001 -0500, Philcycles@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 2/23/1 1:19:15 PM, Hilary.Stone@Tesco.net writes:
>
> >Have tracked down another Simplex Demultiplicator Relais c1960 NOS, mint
> >This is a little widget that increases the cable travel for the rear
> >derailleur. It is fitted to the bottom of the down tube - the cable from
> >the
> >shift lever is connected to one side and a second cable is connected from
> >the other side of the levver to the rear derailleur. On the other side
> >of
> >the clip there's short tunnel for a front derailleur inner cable. Rare
> >and
> >excellent mystery object! $40
> >
>This device doesn't increase cable travel, it decreases it, allegedly giving
>greater feel at the lever. I have one on a bike and it does exactly that.
>Those wacky French, go figure.
>Phil Brown