Hi, I was under the impression that late 1960's PX10s were fitted with the Simplex 537 Luxe rear derailleurs. This sounds like it was an upgraded version of the Prestige derailleur.
Although very similar, the 537 Luxe derailleur that I have (marked 4/68) is not the same as the later Criterium derailleur.
All the best, Peter Rogers
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
--------------------------------------------------
From: "verktyg" <verktyg@aol.com>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 12:40 PM
To: "Ken Freeman" <kenfreeman096@gmail.com>;
<Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] Peugeot PX-10 Dating
> Ken,
>
> Delrin was the plastic used in Simplex dérailleurs not a specific model.
>
> From Frank Berto's Book "The Dancing Chain":
>
> "...in 1962 Simplex converted their production line to Delrin, billed as
> "Industrial Resin" (read plastic). Simplex had a long-term working
> relationship with Peugeot, who did much of the engineering for the
> conversion to Delrin."
>
> Again from Frank Berto's book, Simplex changed the names of their models
> back and forth several times during the 60s. The Prestige 537 was
> initially the top model. In 1965 the line up was Prestige 537 and the less
> expensive standard model Prestige Criterium.
>
> In 1966 the Prestige Criterium became the better model. Later the name
> became just Criterium and it was was Simplex' top Delrin model while the
> just plain Prestige was, well just plain!
>
> The 1967 PX-10 would have had what came to be known as the Simplex
> Criterium rear derailleur. They were used on most PX-10 bikes until the
> mid 70s.
>
> The Criterium originally had a clear plastic name plate with a black
> background. These changed to a silver background shortly afterwards.
>
> The "new" Prestige had a red name plate (which became the economy model
> that helped tarnish the French cycling industry's reputation).
>
> I've frequently seen these red labeled Prestige derailleurs on French
> bikes of that era that should have had Criterium model derailleurs
> (Peugeot PX-10, Gitane Tour de France).
>
> My guess is that the original Criterium derailleurs needed to be replaced
> and Criterium replacements were not readily available so the LBS used what
> they had.
>
> Some of the earlier Criterium RDs had adjustable ball bearing pulleys.
> Both models, the Criterium and the Prestige worked about the same, it was
> just a matter of cosmetics???
>
> All of the PX-10 bikes I've seen that were billed as 1967 models had
> Brooks Pro saddles and Stronglight 93 cranks. I don't recall ever seeing a
> "1968" PX-10?
>
> The simple gold down tube letter changed in 1969.
>
> Bear in mind that a lot of the catalogs on the peugeotshow.com website are
> French or Dutch so the components could have varied for specific markets.
>
> Search "Peugeot catalog, there are several sites with them.
>
> Also catalog specifications and pictures were frequently not updated in a
> timely manner. They used the old printing plates for as long as possible.
> A centime saved is a centime earned!
>
> Chas. Colerich
> Oakland, CA USA
>
>
> Ken Freeman wrote:
>> So based on the catalogs and your summary, mine is later than 1966
>> because it has a Stronglight 93, but it is before 1969 because the left
>> Simplex dropout has the tab, and it came (to me, at least) with Mafac
>> Racers, not Mafac Course. I'll need to hunt for pix of the Simplex
>> Delrin versus Criterium shifters and derailleurs. My rear derailleur has
>> the red nameplate, FWIW.
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 6:40 AM, kim klakow wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>> according to the catalogs on peugeotshow.com
>> http://peugeotshow.com the chronology kinda goes like this:
>>
>> 1966 - All 531 f/f, Nervex pro lugs, only the head lugs blackened.
>> Simplex Delrin shifters, Mafac Racers, Idéale alloy rail
>> saddle.
>> Stronglight Mod.63 Super Competition crank, Simple Gold block
>> letter
>> decal. Left rear d/o with tab
>>
>> 1969 - All 531 f/f, Nervex pro lugs, only the head lugs blackened.
>> Simplex Criterium shifters, Mafac Course, Brooks Pro saddle.
>> Stronglight Mod.93 Competition crank, Simple Gold block letter
>> decal. Left rear d/o without tab
>>
>> 1970-73 same as above
>>
>> 1974 - All 531 f/f, plain Nervex lugs, white frame.
>> Simplex SLJ shifters, Mafac Competition, Idéale 2001 saddle.
>> Stronglight Mod.93 Competition crank, white block letter on
>> black bar
>> decal.
>>
>> 1975 - All 531 f/f, plain Nervex lugs, white frame.
>> Gold Simplex SLJ shifters, Mafac Competition, Idéale 2001
>> saddle.
>> Stronglight Mod.93 Competition crank, white block letter on
>> black bar
>> decal.
>>
>> 1976 - no PX-10 (at least not in Europe)
>>
>> 1977 - PX-10 LE
>> All 531 f/f, plain Nervex lugs, grey(mother-of-pearl) or blue
>> frame.
>> Simplex LJ1000 RD/SXA22 FD shifters, Mafac Competition, Idéale
>> 2001
>> saddle. Stronglight Mod.105 crank, black block letter decal
>> with WC
>> stripes.
>>
>> 1978 - PX-10 LE
>> All 531 f/f, plain Nervex lugs, grey(mother-of-pearl) or blue
>> frame.
>> Simplex LJ4000 RD/SljA 502 FD shifters, Mafac Competition,
>> Idéale 2001 saddle. Stronglight Mod.105 crank, black block
>> letter
>> decal with WC stripes.
>> --
>> Kim Klakow
> -
>> Ken Freeman
>> Ann Arbor, MI USA