• the TdF mech struggles to get onto a 22 sprocket, although a 23 is said to be possible. I'd guess the JUY 51 is probably a bit better (no direct experience).

    The Juy 51 claims 26t

  • The Juy 51 claims 26t

    If you can find a 26 sprocket I'll certainly be interested to hear how well it works.

    I find these old derailleurs intriguing, I suppose because they were heavily advertised but didn't really work very well and yet big races were won using them. I guess that from about 1952 on nearly every pro would have chosen a Campag Gran Sport, but of course they didn't get to choose their kit ( they still don't!)

    Johnny Pound (see Gillott thread) told me that he chose to use a Huret when he was in Belgium in the early fifties because he thought it was more 'robust' (his word) than a Simplex. They both look equally flimsy to me, but Mr. Pound generally knows what he's talking about.

    Anyway, if I had unlimited energy and (now, it seems) money, I'd love to experiment with these old mechs to see how well I could get them to work.

  • I guess that from about 1952 on nearly every pro would have chosen a Campag Gran Sport

    Strangely not.
    http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Derailleurs_-_Tour_de_France_winners.html
    I was surprised the Gran Sport was used as early as ‘51 to win The Tour, equally the push rod Simplex derailleurs carried on being used until the early 60s.

    Amazingly Suntour invented the Slant Parallelogram Derailleur in ‘64 (!) - easily the best derailleurs for years - no pro teams used them AFAIK.

    I’m intrigued to find out how all this kit works too, the bits I’ve got to play with are all in new or excellent condition so if they fail to shift and I can eliminate user error and incorrect set up they might just be a bit shit.
    I’ve got a TDC 14/24 freewheel, so I’ll see how that works, square teeth, Brampton chain
    Ker-Klunk.

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