"Is there any easy way to visually (like in an auction photo) tell the sprung pivot models from the heinous older ones?"
I have been told there are three versions. The older two were better; maybe the oldest best. The last version abandoned the slant parallelogram design made popular by the Japanese and that was the mistake, the baddy. It's something about telling the slant parallelogram design apart that forms the basis of visual distinction. Not that apparent to me from the pics I have seen, I never felt certain that I knew what I was looking for.Some listmembers did try to help me recognize the distinction; but I never felt confident so I just blindly accept the sellers determination. I originally wanted a Rally entire derailler but the draw of a modified SR with Rally cage seemed like fun.
Mark Cutrufelli
Laurel,MD