There were two general types of Rally RD's with several individual versions. The first was a complete design departure from the NR/SR, as it adopted the horizonal parallelogram design like Shimano Crane/Dura Ace. Note that this was not quite yet a slant parallelogram, as that was still under patent by Suntour. Some if not all horizonal parallelogram Rallys also adopted the Simplex-type spring-loaded upper pivot. I have several of this type, and in my opinion, they shift as well or better than any non-indexed long cage RD ever built. Duopar and the long cage Cyclone may have shifted as well, but the Rally was more rugged than either.
The second type, which very strangely, seems to have actually been introduced AFTER the first, was a huge step backward in design. It was essentially an NR with a Rally cage, drop parallelogram, unsprung upper pivot. It's still hard to believe Campy would replace the superior early Rally with this, but several list members have documented this. I have one of what is either such a Rally or a home-brew achieving the same end. Haven't used it yet but the design features make in inevitable it will shift worse than the earlier Rally. After all, even the short cage Nuovo Record was distinguished more by its meticulous finish and its ruggednees than for smooth or precise shifting. No reason to believe that a long cage NR would shift any better.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
Steve Maas <stevem@nonlintec.com> wrote:
Sorry if I missed this, but could someone please explain why the Campagnolo Rallye (gotta have that "e"!) doesn't shift well? I have one of these in my parts stash, and I really don't see any significant difference in the geometry between it and ordinary NR derailleurs, beyond the obviously longer cage. I confess that I haven't installed it on anything yet.
Often these ideas take on a life of their own, and I often wonder if there is a real basis for them.
Steve Maas
(momentarily in)
Oxford, UK