I think that goes for practically all the Simplex derailleurs. They shifted better than any of the Campags until Campag started copying Shimano.They didn't last anything like as long and weren't so robust in case of accident but shifting was quite a bit sweeter. Hilary Stone
----------
>From: "Eric Elman" <tr4play@home.com>
>To: <RALEIGH531@aol.com>
>Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: [CR]Simplex differences was Ebay Simplex Record $'s
>Date: Thu, Jan 18, 2001, 10:24 pm
>
> I think I read all the responses thoroughly and must add one other
> significant difference besides the forged cage plates.
>
> The Criterium rear derailleur also has jockey wheels with ball bearings
> instead of a brass bushing. I agree with Jerry regarding shift quality -
> the Criterium was a big improvement over the cheaper prestige derailleur. I
> also think the Criterium is largely unrecognized for how well it works
> compared to ANY other on the market at the time. Even now, as long as
> you've got one without delrin degredation (uh oh, here it comes, yes.....
> many of them are past there prime nowadays) it shifts as well or better then
> the Campagnolo NR on my other bicycles.
>
> Moi deux francs,
>
> Eric Elman
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jerry Moos <moos@penn.com>
> To: <RALEIGH531@aol.com>
> Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2001 10:08 AM
> Subject: Re: [CR]Ebay Simplex Record $'s
>
>
>> Big difference. The Prestige has cheap, thin, stamped cage plates, while
> the
>> Criterium has proper (forged?) cage plates. You have to look closely to
> tell
>> them apart, but there is a big difference in performance. I think the
> Criterium
>> shifts better than Campy NR, because of the spring loaded upper pivot
> which
>> Campy lacked. The Prestige had that pivot also, but the cheap cage ruined
> its
>> shifting. That said, I certainly wouldn't pay $200 for a Criterium, even
> an NIB
>> one. BTW, almost all Simplex rear derailleurs regardless of model, are
> marked
>> "Prestige" and I don't think I've ever seen one marked "Criterium". This
> leads
>> to much of the confusion over which model is which.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Jerry Moos
>>
>> RALEIGH531@aol.com wrote:
>>
>> > Same day as this auction was another seller's auction for two sets of
> used
>> > F & R Prestige derailleurs finishing up at $5 for both sets!
>> >
> http://ebay.com/
>> > What is the main difference between a Criterium and a Prestige?
>> > They look suspiciously alike.
>> > I ask because I have a late 70's Peugeot with a similar derailleur and
> can't
>> > decide which it is.
>> >
>> > Pete Geurds
>> > Douglassville, Pa