DISRAELI GEARS
Like the Huret Course Compétition, the Huret Route Touriste/Touriste Léger was one of Huret’s typically innovative and cunning designs, in this case a touring model that attached to a chainstay mount.
The pulley cage slides along a rod that is held in place by two thick rods (these are often referred to as ‘piano wire’ designs). A helical spring pushes the cage towards low gear, with the cable running directly between the outer plate and the cable clamp bolt on the inner plate pulls the pulley cage towards the high gear. The pulley cage is another elegant rod design, with chain tension provided by a spring (attached to the button on the pulley cage close to the guide pulley) that runs along the chainstay to a clip just behind the bottom bracket.
It was all very direct and simple, used materials that could be obtained during and immediately after the Second World War and could be manufactured in Huret’s simple workshops.
The Huret Route Touriste has steel chain pusher plates and weighs around 215g, while the Huret Touriste Léger has aluminium chain pusher plates and weighs around 185g. Without using a magnet or scales it is very hard to tell them apart.
I believe that this is an unused later example of a Huret Touriste Léger, with black pulley wheels. Some of its key features are:
Browse associated documents.
French Patent # 889,531 - Huret
French Patent # 889,531 - Huret
French Registered Design # 33324-001 - Huret
French Registered Design # 33324-001 - Huret
French Patent # 923,764 - Huret
French Patent # 923,764 - Huret
Le Cycle 07/1946 - image of Huret Route Touriste
Le Cycle 07/1946 - image of Huret Route Touriste
L'Équipe 19/07/1948 - Huret ad
L'Équipe 19/07/1948 - Huret ad
New Cycling 05/1981 - '81 Derailleur Collection
New Cycling 05/1981 - '81 Derailleur Collection