And now, the end is near; and so I face the final curtain. My friend, I’ll say it clear, I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain...

It is hard not to shed a tear over this, the final Simplex. Simplex had travelled each and every highway (or is it byway?) from world domination (Frank Berto reports that at the 1946 Milan Bicycle Show 146 of the 195 derailleur bicycles on show used Simplex) to this - the cheapest of cheap derailleurs, with poorly finished pressings, nasty orange-peel chrome and plastic knuckles.

At least the extravagant swooping pulley cage hints at long-lost gallic flair.

This particular example exhibits the following traits:

• The knuckles are black.
• The logo on the outer parallelogram plate is painted on, and includes a symbolic geometric reversed 'S'.
• The cable route runs around a tear-drop shaped protrusion near the cable adjuster.
• The pulley bolts have Torx heads.

• Derailleur brands: Simplex
• Categories: Simplex - the bitter end
• Country: France
• Date of introduction: 1991?
• Date of this example: unknown
• Model no.: S007 T
• Weight: 256g
• Maximum cog: 28 teeth (Simplex)
• Total capacity: 28 teeth (Simplex)
• Pulley centre to centre: 50mm
• Index compatibility: 5 to 7 speed (Simplex)
• Chain width: 3/32”
• Logic: top normal
• B pivot: sprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: mainly steel with plastic knuckles