Re: [CR]re: 126 spaciing on NOS ca 1972 Lejeune now when were 6-speed, clusters introduced?

(Example: Bike Shops)

Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 21:28:05 -0500
From: "LTravers" <lat7575@swbell.net>
Organization: CV-6 Enterprises
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR]re: 126 spaciing on NOS ca 1972 Lejeune now when were 6-speed, clusters introduced?


>
> Raleigh Pros had six gears in the rear as early as 1972. I have a 1972
> with 126 spacing and a six speed cluster. The 1972 catalog does not
> specify a six speed cluster but the 1973 catalog does. BTW, Pro's were
> the first production bikes equipped with Campy brakes IIRC. Also, most
> of the early Pro's and Internationals that I've seen from the early
> 1970's had 172.5 cranks for some reason. If you have a no date pre-1973
> crank with 172.5 arms I'd say the odds are better than even it came from
> a Raleigh.
>
> So when were six speed clusters introduced?
>
> George Allen
> Lexington, Kentucky
> USA

Thanks to some other listers and a search of the archives, I have found that six speed clusters first appeared in 1960. So my rear hub with 126 spacing is not an anomaly, but just outside of my experience.

--
Lynn Travers
Hazelwood, Missouri USA