The Cyclo Benelux Mark 8 Tourist was the touring version of the seminal Cyclo Benelux Mark 7. Like the Mark 7, it shows how the derailleur matured as a product as the market moved from post-World War II austerity to ‘never having it so good’. There is a profusion of high quality branding, precision engineering and fine finishes. Definitely a product aimed at a increasingly discerning and affluent consumer.

One feature of the Mark 8 that I have never got to grips with is the way that the toggle chain is effectively rotated with the pulley cage. The only time that I have attempted to set one up, I found this incomprehensible and a serious problem. Very odd.

In the photo, I have disengaged the pulley cage spring to allow the derailleur to adopt a more normal position.

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1. •Brand: Cyclo Gear Company
   

2. •Country: UK
   

3. •Date of introduction: 1958
   

4. •Date of this example: unknown
   

5. •Model no: Mark 8
   

6. •Weight: 331g including hanger plate, but excluding drop-out bolt
   

7. •Maximum cog: 28 teeth
   

8. •Total capacity: 35 teeth
   

9. •Pulley centre to centre: 79mm
   

10. •Index compatibility: friction
    

11. •Chain width: 3/32” and 1/8”
    

12. •Logic: low normal
    

13. •Pivots: two pivots, front sprung and rear unsprung
    

14. •Material: steel, with aluminium flanges on the tension pulley
    

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