I don't think this is really weird, except that one doesn't see long cage Simplexes as much as Suntour or Huret or even Campy Rally. Like Don, I see more of the mid-priced SX-410 or other mid-priced variations in long cage than Super LJ. But my experience is that there is no real difference in the shifting of the mid-priced Simplexes and the SLJ, only a difference in finish, weight and maybe durability.
Since I think the short cage SLJ is the best non-indexed RD ever made, I would expect that the long cage version would be very good as well. I have a few long cage mid-priced models that I plan to use for various projects.
Perhaps one sees fewer long cage Simplexes because the short cage will handle a pretty wide gear range. Thanks to its sprung upper pivot, and perhaps its cage geometry, a short cage Simplex will handle a 14-28 FW with 52-38 chainrings if you get the chain length right. So you only need a long cage if you are going to use a wide range triple crankset.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca> wrote: Richard,
I am surprised that you do not think much of the huret duopar (either the eco steel model or the titanium model.) Frank Berto, who is a hero of mine, considers this to be the best-shifting derailleur of the early 1980's (better than Suntour VGT, although not as light as Suntour Cyclone, which are two of his other favorites.)
The super-weird SLJ derailleur on the header page of french components is probably the strangest thing i've ever seen from simplex :
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
I have never seen it in a catalogue. I have several used SX-410's (low-mid end, some with S starbursts like SLJ but not SLJ) with long cages, please write to me if you are interested in one ($18).
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA