Yeah, these long cage Simplexes work really well, too bad they are relatively rare. It seems that perhaps Simplex didn't make a large percentage of long cage RD's, although Simplex triple FD's are fairly common. I think maybe this was because of the spring loaded upper pivot that allows a short-cage Simplex Criterium to wrap enough chain to handle a 53-38 front with a 14-28 freewheel, whereas you have to have the chain length on a Campy NR just right to handle a 52-42 with the same freewheel. So a lot of setups simply didn't need a long cage Simplex. I even have a late 60's LeJeune tandem with a original short cage Simplex Criterium.
While we're on the subject of Simplex RD's, anyone have for sale some of the tabs that Simplex RD's used to provide a stop on the unnotched Simplex DO's? These always come on Simplex RD's designed to bolt direct to the DO, but are not provided with the same model if it was sold with a separate mounting plate for DO's without the RD hanger. I have a couple of Simplex RD's, including a long cage like the one under discussion that I'd like to convert to direct mounting. I'd also buy trashed Simplex RD's with mounting hardware I can salvage.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
John Thompson <JohnThompson@new.rr.com> wrote:
r cielec wrote:
> For the record, which model Simplex ?
Simplex made a number of long cage derailleurs at different price points. Here's a "BX410" from my tandem (bottom spring broke, so it's been retired). I think this model was low to mid range:
http://www.os2.dhs.org/
--
John (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA