DISRAELI GEARS

Cyclo Oppy

Cyclo Oppy derailleur main image

The Cyclo Oppy was named after Sir Hubert Opperman, a legendary Australian cyclist who set an untold number of long distance records between the two Worlds Wars. Particularly famous was his victory in the 1931 Paris-Brest-Paris event, in which he covered the 726 miles non-stop in 49 hours and 23 minutes. ‘Oppy’ (as he was known - in the tradition that gave us ‘Gazza’) was an enthusiastic advocate of derailleur gear systems in general, and of Cyclo’s derailleurs in particular. ‘Oppy’ is not only regarded as one of the greatest Australian sportsmen ever (sharing that pantheon with the likes of his friend Sir Donald Bradman) but also went on to become a cabinet minister in various Australian governments after his retirement from cycling.

The Cyclo Oppy is a lighter, shorter version of the Cyclo Standard. It has an integral chain tension spring and the mounting bracket is slightly canted forward to give a smoother cable run. It was designed for medium ratio solo bicycles - and although production ended in 1949, it was still fondly remembered in CTC club rooms in Britain in the late 1970’s.


  • Derailleur brands: Cyclo Gear Company
  • Country: UK
  • Date of introduction: 1938
  • Date of this example: unknown
  • Model no.: unknown
  • Weight: 297g including mounting bracket
  • Maximum cog: 22 teeth (Cyclo Catalogue - 1949)
  • Total capacity: 28 teeth?
  • Pulley centre to centre: 63mm (2.5” in proper units)
  • Index compatibility: friction
  • Chain width: 1/8”
  • Logic: operated by two cables, with no ‘normal’ position
  • B pivot: none
  • P pivot: sprung
  • Materials: steel

Browse associated documents.






Cyclo catalogue 399

Cyclo catalogue 399

Cyclo Catalogue 399 - front cover thumbnail