During the 1950’s Simplex successfully ignored the superiority of the parallelogram design, and churned out endless variants of the pull-chain derailleur. But by 1960 it had become clear that even a company with Simplex’s marketing power would have to move with the times.

Amazingly given his scepticism about the parallelogram derailleur, Lucien Juy designed this marvel, the Simplex Juy Export 61 (a snappy moniker if ever there was one). It is a beautifully made derailleur with two sprung pivots, quality fittings, excellent finish and fine touches - such as pulley wheels with two part bronze bushings and interesting thumb-wheel adjusters.

Given the choice between this and the 1963 Campagnolo Record, I would take the Simplex any day - a sentiment shared by Sanko and Shimano - who adopted many of the features of the Juy Export 61.

One of my ‘derailleurs that changed the world’.

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1. •Brand: Simplex
   

2. •My category: Simplex - the Prestige story
   

3. •Country: France
   

4. •Date of introduction: 1961
   

5. •Date of this example: unknown
   

6. •Model no: unknown
   

7. •Weight: 263g including hanger plate
   

8. •Maximum cog: 28 teeth?
   

9. •Total capacity: 21 teeth
   

10. •Pulley centre to centre: 46mm
    

11. •Index compatibility: friction
    

12. •Chain width: 3/32”?
    

13. •Logic: top normal
    

14. •Pivots: two sprung pivots
    

15. •Material: steel
    

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