Product Description
This rare item was used by a 1970's bike shop to teach people how to shift their gears. It's essentially a portion of a frame uniquely welded and attached to a baseplate. Easy to hold dummy pedals are installed, and you can shift the front and rear derailleurs. It has a nameplate detailing the components that are on it. This would be a great conversation starter in a bike shop, or perhaps the ultimate Christmas present for the cycling fanatic in your life.
It appears this frame was specially made to be a display piece (instead of a standard frame being cut into a display). The seatstay tops are capped or solid (where a cut frame would have hollow tubes), and the vertical mounting post is rather nicely welded into the bottom bracket shell.
It also has some rare parts on it! The highlight is a for all intensive purposes new old stock Simplex Prestige LJ rear derailleur. (LJ stands for Lucien Juy, who made the world's first collapsible parallelogram derailleur in 1928 under the marquee Simplex (it is inferred that he founded Simplex, but nobody on the web outright states it) This differs from the Super LJ 5000 (SLJ) most obviously with the LJ's oval faceplate sticker vs rectangle on the SLJ, and by the LJ's bizarre doughnut shaped cable cinch bolt. (note that the LJ derailleur was an upgrade to this piece, as the original namebadge lists a Simplex SX 410 GT/P)
Also featured is the popular randonnee touring crank, the Stronglight TS three-arm, with it's original drillium chainrings.
Condition
Excellent previously displayed shape. There is the expected amount of patina from age and being touched and spun. This thing could really shine if you disassemble and deep clean the components. The drivetrain is fully functional. Crank looks great with only light finish scratches. Chainrings have essentially no wear, as spinning with no load doesn't do much wearing. Rear derailleur looks amazing, and would look pretty close to NOS with a thorough cleaning. Pulleys spin perfect, springs feel nice.
Details
- Rear derailleur: Simplex LJ 4000
- Crankset: Stronglight TS BIS double: 52/40t, original Stronglight bottom bracket
- Front derailleur: Simplex SX A 42
- Shifters: Simplex 4192
- Freewheel and hub: Maillard Normandy, w/ Simplex quick release skewer
- BF quill stem
