[CR]Simplex dropouts on Gitanes

What exactly was wrong w/ the Simplex dropouts on '80s Gitanes?

http://www.mookietwoh.com/Gitane/gitane_drops.jpg

A local team (Fair Wheel) had a few dozen of these bikes in '84 or so, and the fatality rate of the right rear dropouts was over 90%! They broke near the juncture w/ the chainstay. These were the Columbus SL bikes exactly like the one I used to have: http://www.mookietwoh.com/Gitane/Gitane1.jpg I've seen Rebour drawings of Simplex dropouts that were c. 1976 but otherwise haven't seen much of them on other bicycles.

Anyway they broke after quite a few miles usually. Fignon, Lemond, Hinault, Madiot, Mottet et al managed well enough on theirs and I'd have kept (and ridden) mine if it had been a bigger size.

FWIW the Gitane seemed very skillfully brazed and filed, way above par.

-Jack Bissell rainy tucson

more:

http://www.mookietwoh.com/Gitane/Gitane2.jpg
http://www.mookietwoh.com/Gitane/Gitane3.jpg
http://www.mookietwoh.com/Gitane/Gitane4.jpg
http://www.mookietwoh.com/Gitane/Gitane5.jpg
http://www.mookietwoh.com/Gitane/Gitane6.jpg
http://www.mookietwoh.com/Gitane/Gitane7.jpg