Re: [CR] another Osgear/Super Champion question.

(Example: Events)

In-Reply-To: <COL121-W884B8189C839DE8C1AF20BF2A0@phx.gbl>
References: <a0624082cc7c95cafb73b@72.244.206.86>
From: "Kurt Sperry" <haxixe@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:48:21 -0700
Cc: Rendezvous Classic <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] another Osgear/Super Champion question.


This does however raise a question that I've had for a long time which is, why in the '50s did major derailleur producers such as Simplex, Huret and Cyclo produce distinct derailleur models for 3, 4 and 5 cog freewheels? It obviously was wholly unnecessary to do so, and I'm struggling to think of any upside.

Kurt Sperry Bellingham, Washington USA

On Fri, Mar 19, 2010 at 10:25 AM, Neil Foddering <neilfoddering@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I've set up both three and four speed Osgears, and the fork for each type was the same.  As Jan says, the only difference I could see was the number of holes in the lever.
>
> Neil Foddering
> Weymouth, Dorset, England
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:01:15 -0700
>> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>> From: heine94@earthlink.net
>> Subject: [CR]  another Osgear/Super Champion question.
>>
>> >How can one tell if a Super Champion rear derailleur is for a 3
>> >speed or 4 speed freewheel?  Thanks for your help if you know the
>> >answer. :-)
>>
>> The easiest way to tell is by looking at the indexing shift lever.
>> The 3-speed version has 3 holes, the 4-speed version has 4 holes.
>>
>>  From what I can tell, the actual shifter fork on the chainstays was
>> the same for both versions. I compared the photos of the Oscar Egg in
>> "The Competition Bicycle" with photos of a 4-speed. While it might
>> make sense to have a longer shifter fork for more rear cogs, the two
>> shifter forks look the same.
>>
>> Jan Heine
>> Editor
>> Bicycle Quarterly
>> 2116 Western Ave.
>> Seattle WA 98121
>> http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com