Hi Jerry, Thanks for your note.
I just checked both of my "original" PX10's, both white, one w/the old nervex lugs ('71) and one with the smoother ones ('73?) BOTH have Simplex Prestige rear derailleurs.
What is the different between "Prestige" and "Criterium" in the line? I thought both the red-face and silver face ones were the same, but the silver face "prestige" on both PX10's appears sturdier than the ubiquitous red simplex-badeged ones.
Dale Phelps Longmont CO USA
Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net> wrote: I know that the SLJ was already around in 1974, because Thevenet was using them (with Retrofriction levers) at the 1974 Worlds I attended in Montreal. I think the SLJ RD may have come out a year or two earlier. I bought my LeJeune F-70 (photos on the CR site) in 1973 or maybe 1974 (memory fades) and had the plastic Simplex Criterium replaced with an SLJ by the shop at purchase.
Unless you're a stickler about being maybe a year or two incorrect, the SLJ is the best bet. Simplex RD's of this era work fine on Simplex or Campy DO's, so even if someone tapped and notched the Simplex DO, the SLJ should still work.
The all-Campy LeJeune (called Champion du Monde, I believe) had Campy DO's. I'm pretty sure the Campy model didn't have the brazon rear cable hanger.
One thing to consider, the original plastic Criterium which came on high-end LeJeunes (and PX-10's) is actually an excellent rear derailleur. As I've said here many times, the Criterium shifted much better than Campy NR. It gets confused with the cheaper plastic Prestige found on low-end French bikes, but the performance is worlds apart. The SLJ is much prettier, but really doesn't shift any better.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, Tx
"Dale B. Phelps" <losgatos_dale@yahoo.com> wrote:
I just picked up a pretty LeJeune block-lettered frameset that I'd lke to clean up, but honestly have no idea what alternatives there were to Simplex plastic in the early 70's.
I do know the LeJeunes that came full campy used a different dropout. . didn't really want to tap and then file on the pretty chromed Simplex dropout though it appears it may have already received the treatment to install a Cyclone derailleur. My questions: when were Huret Jubilee and Simplex LJ derailleurs introduced? Any suggestions for alternatives to the delrin wonder? Did LeJeunes ever use Campy derailleurs on Simplex dropouts, or campy only"?
A side question, did the full campy LeJeunes lose the ultra-cool rear brake cable hanger on the seat lug when they had Campy brakes?
Thanks for any replies!
Dale Phelps Longue Montagne Le Colorado
Dale B. Phelps 303.651.7307
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