I haven't had the 600AX derailer in my hand, but the Dura-Ace and Adamas versions had indexing built into the derailer itself, using a stepped ramp, for 6-speed use. I agree that 600 parts lacked a fine finish in those days before "New 600EX". Nice, bright anodizing, but finish looked to me as-cast from a pretty well-finished die, as appropriate for high volume production. Am I right to think the first Crane and 600 rear derailers deserve special mention for function? I believe the design was copied closely by Simplex and resold under Gipemme's name and even "re-designed" and labeled for Ofmega as the Premier and Master.
David Snyder Auburn, CA, usa
Jerry Moos wrote:
>
> I've never seen good pictures of a complete 600 AX gruppo before, but I
> have
> a mostly complete DA AX gruppo. Other than the markings, I can't see
> any
> difference. Design looks identical and if there is a difference in
> finish
> quality, it isn't obvious.
> So what was the difference between DA AX and 600 AX?
> Regards,
>
>I had also thought that it was just a difference of finish, but Shimano
> 600AX and Dura-Ace Ax
> are actually quite different. The design is the same, but the actual
> parts
> do have differences.
> The seatposts on Dura-Ace are better finished, but it's hard to
> photograph.
> I haven't tried,
> but I think the parts would interchange.
> The Dura-Ace brakes are on much narrower bodies, to the point where the
> wedges can't be interchanged
> at all. I didn't go beyond that, as there wasn't much point. The finish
> is a
> bit better here
> as well.
> The 600AX rear derailler I have isn't well finished at all, and I'd be
> surprised if the Dura-Ace
> was actually the same.
>
> Steve Birmingham