The Schwinn Sprint has an incredibly important place in the history of the derailleur. When Schwinn, the leading opinion-former amongst US bicycle makers, rebranded the Huret Allvit with its own precious name it was the definitive sign to the world that derailleurs were ready for the mass market.

Despite its historic role, I always disliked the Huret Allvit. It weighed a ton, its adjustment screws were all over the place and most of all it had too many flat plates joined by too many dodgy pivot bolts. In British weather it either rapidly loosened off and became horribly imprecise or it rusted solid.

One of my ‘derailleurs that changed the world’ - but a mangy dog nonetheless.

____________________________________________

1. •Brand: Schwinn, manufactured by Huret
   

2. •Country: USA, manufactured in France
   

3. •Date of introduction: 1964
   

4. •Date of this example: unknown
   

5. •Model no: unknown
   

6. •Weight: 307g including hanger plate
   

7. •Maximum cog: 32 teeth (Sutherland’s 4th edition)
   

8. •Total capacity: 32 teeth (Sutherland’s 4th edition)
   

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: largely steel with one bronze parallelogram arm
    

0304/K