Re: [CR] Lightweight derailleurs: Was: HURET Jubilee, what is the actual weight??

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PY-10)

In-Reply-To: <ca8.1b3cfc56.345799a9@aol.com>
References:
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:32:22 -0800
To: Stronglight49@aol.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] Lightweight derailleurs: Was: HURET Jubilee, what is the actual weight??


At 4:16 PM -0400 10/29/07, Stronglight49@aol.com wrote:
>I have a later (I think) model Jubilee which weighs 134.9 grams,
>Certainly surprised me!

Many old derailleurs were a lot lighter than current ones. I wonder whether it is for lack of trying by current makers... I guess all they need is to be lighter than last year's model. They probably want to leave room for future improvement.

From Bicycle Quarterly's articles "Riding with classic derailleurs", here are some weights. The dates are the introduction of the particular model we weighed. Unless mentioned, these are the short-cage versions.

- Huret Jubilee (1972) 137 g - Huret Jubilee long-cage (1973): 154 g - Cyclo touring, 4-speed, aluminum, long cage (1934?): 180 g - Simplex SLJ (1972): 182 g - Suntour Cyclone GT long-cage (1975): 188 g - Campagnolo Super Record, 2nd generation (1977?): 191 g - Campagnolo Nuovo Record (1967): 196 g - Shimano Ultegra 2005 model: 206 g - Nivex medium cage (1938): 235 g - Simplex Tour de France (with hanger, 1946): 240 g - Campagnolo Rally, long cage (1st version, 1974): 256 g - Huret Duopar titanium, long cage (1975): 252 g - Campagnolo Gran Sport (1952): 300 g - Campagnolo Record (1963): 328 g

As you can see, the modern derailleurs aren't all that light. Even the advertised weight for a Campagnolo Record with carbon pulley cage and titanium screws of 184 g is heavier than a 1930s Cyclo touring derailleur. The latest Dura-Ace is advertised at 180 g, and Sachs Force claims their derailleur weighs 174 g.

You also see that the difference between Super and Nuovo Record is almost insignificant. (I know that somebody, somewhere will argue that 5 grams over a whole Tour de France an make a difference of 200 m, enough to make a difference between winning and coming second!)

When you compare the weight of the pulleys of the old derailleurs with those of modern ones, you realize that the many of the old pulleys were quite heavy, because they used full ball bearings. A Jubilee with lightweight modern pulleys would be truly light. (However, modern pulleys don't fit, because Simplex and Huret used thicker screws to attach the pulleys.)

The Jubilee, by the way, shifts very well and is quite durable. Many users get 100,000+ miles out of them. I have one on my Alex Singer...

Jan Heine
Editor
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave #C
Seattle WA 98122
http://www.bikequarterly.com