Ok, I really don't want to start the holy war but all this talk of Campy vs Simplex made me remember that there is an article on the TdF issue of Cycle Sport that describes Shimano's roots and how they got started, etc...
Some may want to check it out!
Plus, TdF predictions and a 1955 TdF retrospective! Enjoy...
Mike "3 times a charm" Wilkinson