Shimano stuff first started showing up in the US (and I presume Europe) in the 60's with Lark and Eagle lower end derailleurs. Around 1970 they entered the high end of the market with the excellent Crane derailleur, later renamed Dura-Ace, quickly followed by other original Dura-Ace components. SunTour entered the US/European market about the same time. Many of us think the SunTour stuff was technically superior, but Shimano was more astute at marketing.
I never realized Shimano dated back to 1921.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Houston, TX
> On our ride today a rider said the blasphemous words that Shimano is older
> than Campagnolo. A quick check proved him to be right, perhaps. Evidently
> Shozaburo Shimano began production of a freewheel in 1921. Campagnolo's
> manufacturing started in 1933. When did Shimano really become a player in
the
> European market with "modern" gear, ie front and rear derailleurs?
>
> Curtis Whatley
> riding campy 'cause it's pretty
> Mission, Texas