One of the "Dancing Chain" authors considers it and it's predecessor the 543 to be the ultimate rod-guided derailleurs; the best made for half-step racing gearing before about 1960. I used to own one and a Record 61. The Record 61 was set up on a bike and it shifted better than a Campy NR; much quicker to center and settle on a gear. I think that (forgive off-topic analogy) Simplex going to plastic was like the Clash recording Combat Rock, a huge mistake from which there was to be no recovery! David Feldman
I am going to go out on a limb here by saying that the Simplex derailleur that just fetched so much on Ebay is a stunning piece of architecture. It not only expresses something special about the time it came from (much like the rounded modern lines of refrigerators and cars of the time), but it seems to be a well thought out design (aesthetically). Although it lacks the beauty of allen head bolts that add so much to modern derailleurs, it has a sculpted look that betters most modern derailleurs. Does anyone know something of the history of this piece? How well did it function, and how did it compare with others from the same period? It makes the rigged up Campy long cage look artistically bankrupt by comparison. Any information about this fine Simplex would be much appreciated by me, along with any insight as to why it sold so high. ("The Dancing Chain" is coming under the tree for Christmas). Garth Libre virus free in Surfside Florida.
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