Re: [CR]Simplex Super LJ-Campagnolo Comparison

(Example: History:Ted Ernst)

From: <themaaslands@comcast.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org (Classic Rendezvous)
Subject: Re: [CR]Simplex Super LJ-Campagnolo Comparison
Date: Wed, 09 Mar 2005 16:59:16 +0000


Jerry wrote: "The Super LJ was used on the Peugeot PY-10's that Bernard Thevenet used to to take two TdF victories in the middle 70's. It may also have been used on the Merciers of Raymond Poulidor in some years. I do know that when I attended the 1974 Worlds at Montreal, Poulidor's Mercier had the then-new Simplex retrofriction shifters normally used with the Super LJ on top team bikes. However, a lot of guys at the time used the Simplex retrofrictions with otherwise all-Campy setups, so I can't be sure Poulidor was using the Simplex RD."

It is indeed quite well-known that Bernard Thevenet twice won the Tour de France while riding a fully French equipped bike. It is equally well-known that one of the first things that Thevenet did upon retiring was pick up a fully Campagnolo-equipped bike for himself. Jerry is also correct that the Simplex retro-friction levers were one of the most commonly substituted Campagnolo parts. The other commonly swapped part here in North America were the pulley wheels.

--
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ