Roto spent the 1970s making a budget gear by copying a 10 year old Huret design (the Svelto) - so with the dawn of the 1980s they stepped up a gear - and made a budget gear by copying a 7 year old Huret design (the Challenger/Eco). As usual they applied their signature touches - brilliant chrome, stylish black highlights and an unmistakable feeling of cheapness.

I like the cubist styling and the ‘Scorpion’ name - many non-cyclists comment that derailleurs with hanger plates resemble scorpions in some way.

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1. •Brand: Roto
   

2. •Country: Italy
   

3. •Date of introduction: 1982?
   

4. •Date of this example: unknown
   

5. •Model no: 9002?
   

6. •Weight: 229g including hanger plate
   

7. •Maximum cog: 26 teeth?
   

8. •Total capacity: 22 teeth?
   

9. •Pulley centre to centre: 43mm
   

10. •Index compatibility: friction
    

11. •Chain width: 3/32”
    

12. •Logic: top normal
    

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

14. •Material: aluminium
    

0019/A