Re: [CR]Suntour / Berto's theory

(Example: Framebuilders:Chris Pauley)

From: "jerrymoos" <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
To: <kohl57@starpower.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <244640-220045420165242638@M2W066.mail2web.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Suntour / Berto's theory
Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 19:03:49 -0500


Well I am a big Simplex fan, but in 1972 I replaced the Simplex derailleurs and shifters on my UO-8 with Shimano Titlist and it made an amazing difference. The UO-8 and other low end French bikes had the cheap Simplex Prestige with a stamped jockey cage. Also, the cheap all plastic shift levers were terrible. The Simplex Criterium stuff on the PX-10 looked similar, but the shifters were alloy, and the RD had a proper forged jockey cage. Also, I think the plastic RD body plates were reinforced with metal. The difference in shifting was night and day. The Criterium stuff shifted better than anything except SunTour. Unfortunately the cheap Simplex models were the most plentiful in the US and damaged the reputation of the whole Simplex line.

Regards,

Jerry Moos
Houston, TX


----- Original Message -----
From: kohl57@starpower.net
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2004 11:52 AM
Subject: RE: [CR]Suntour / Berto's theory


Original Message: ----------------- From: Donald Gillies gillies@cs.ubc.ca Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 09:31:21 -0700 (PDT) To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, gillies@cs.ubc.ca Subject: [CR]Suntour / Berto's theory

"In the early 1970's, Suntour exported as an aftermarket supplier. In that niche, they had to charge standard markups (not exhorbitant ones) to get established. Just about every simplex derailleur shipped in the 1970's was eventually replaced by a Suntour."

Really? I had no idea Simplex was held in that kind of disrepute among cyclists then or now, except here. I guess my own personal experience with my Simplex-fitted UE-8 (1974) and now with my PX-10e (1972) runs, as usual, counter to everyone else's. I don't know more a derailleur can accomplish than a Simplex of this era: cheap, light and shifts like a dream (well at least for a derailleur). Delrin can be a bit brittle if not well oiled but 30 plus years after the fact, my Simplex derailleur works a LOT better than the Campagnolo Gran Sport on my Competition. But that's an old, tired debate here. My own very limited personal experience puts me very much on the "losing" side..... as usual. I'd bury my Peugeot in the park before I'd put a Japanese anything on her...

Peter Kohler Washington DC USA

--------------------------------------------------------------------
mail2web - Check your email from the web at
http://mail2web.com/ .