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trials guy

A question for you knowledgeable Forum members... Did the later (1973 and forward) TDF's ever come from the factory with Shimano front derailleurs? My bike has one, and apparently came stock from the factory with a Sugino crankset and a Simplex rear derailleur.
Just wondered if Gitane began to spec more Japanese parts as the bike boom pushed suppliers, or if someone simply changed out a Simplex FD on this particular bike at some point in the past. Thanks!

verktyg

No...

The foil decal era TdFs were that were imported into the US came with Simplex Criterium derailleurs. The rear derailleurs were OK if you kept them well lubricated.... The front ones worked better than trying to shift the chain with your foot! Shocked

Gitane TdFs continued shipping with Simplex derailleurs up until maybe 1975??? The change on the TdFs was to Huret derailleurs not Japanese.

Suntour was the big dog in Japan. Shimano didn't have much to offer in those days, they were still chasing the department store kid killer, gas pipe bike market.

When someone bought a TdF the first change was the saddle. Next the derailleurs, Campy if they could afford it or Suntour.

After Shimano brought out their DuraAce components some TdF owners started installing those parts, especially the side pull brakes. That didn't happen until after 1975.

Chas.