Product Description
Paul Price of Paul Components in Chico, California released the first version of the iconic Powerglide derailleur in 1995. This version had a flat face plate, with "Paul USA" engraved in it. The second and final version came out in 1996 (see catalog scans in photos), with the main visual difference being an attractive decal in place of the face engravings. It proudly flies the American Flag on it's face, which represents the small boutique parts makers of the era perfectly. The Powerglide sold for about $250, while the XTR RD-M900 sold for only $85. It was a pure work of art in form, function, and performance. EVERY single piece of the derailleur was replaceable, down to the bushings. It was made completely of aluminum, brass, and stainless steel. A completely rebuildable, smooth shifting, lightweight, and otherworldly attractive derailleur...what more could you ask for?
Shimano had the answer to that. In late 1996, they released the XTR RD-M950. It was a dull grey and quite plain looking compared to the Paul. BUT, it freaking worked! The shifting performance was five steps above anything else out at the time. Sure, you couldn't rebuild a single piece of the derailleur. But then again, it never needed to be rebuilt! It was a gigantic middle finger to the whimsical and fun parts that ruled the 1990's from the likes of Paul, Ringle, Kooka, and many others.
This one has upgraded red anodized CNC jockey wheels. They have a gorgeous decorative milled line around the flat part. Unsure of make.
Condition
Near mint with very few miles! Show worthy for all but the cleanest NOS mtb's, or ride it as a nearly fresh derailleur! No fading. The jockey wheels just barely show beginnings of ano wear on the edges. Inner side of outer cage plate's upper exposed part is barely marked, proving the low mileage. Faceplate itself is perfect, and the decal is mint until the right half of the flag where the translucent plastic outer part of the decal has a wrinkle and is starting to come up at the very edge. This plastic part can be removed and leave only the inner colored parts of the decal. There are only two scrapes, on the lower edge of the vertical cable cinch bolt bracket & the right/lower parallelogram pivot housing. Upper side of mount bolt housing is mint. Hardware is mint or very close to. The cage plates have random bits of ano wear along it's edges.
Details
- Mid cage (going off Shimano standards, this is a GS mid/long cage)
- Blue anodized
- Red CNC pulleys
- T6 aluminum plates
- Brass bushings
- Stainless steel hardware
