DISRAELI GEARS

Sanko H1

Sanko H1 main image

The Sanko H series was a premium range of derailleurs offered by Sanko from 1959 possibly until the late 1960s. It was designed to sit above Sanko's all-conquering S series of mid-range derailleurs. The H series featured a more sophisticated design of sprung b-pivot than the S series, and, despite the late 1950s fashion for plain bearing pulley wheels, it retained full ball bearing races in both pulleys.

There were two models:

  • The 1959 Sanko H1, which used the pull-chain mechanism and the short pulley cage from the S-series. It was, thus, a low-normal design.
  • The 1960 Sanko H2, which was a rather different kettle of fish. This used a top-normal, bell-crank, Simplex-like operating mechanism and had the same, new, chromed, pulley cage that was later used on the Sanko PA.

The Sanko H2 was the much more interesting product, but it is the, slightly dull, Sanko H1 that you seem to see in larger numbers. Perhaps the H1 was substantially cheaper than the H2.


This is a used, but tidy, example of a Sanko H1.


  • Derailleur brands: Sanko
  • Country: Japan
  • Date of introduction: 1959?
  • Date of this example: unknown
  • Model no.: F1
  • Weight: 298g excluding hanger plate, but including unfeasibly large b-pivot locknut
  • Maximum cog: unknown
  • Total capacity: unknown
  • Pulley centre to centre: 49mm
  • Index compatibility: friction
  • Chain width: 3/32" and 1/8”
  • Logic: low normal
  • B pivot: sprung
  • P pivot: sprung
  • Materials: largely steel
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Browse associated documents.




New Cycling 01/1963 - Sanko ad

New Cycling 01/1963 - Sanko ad

New Cycling January 1963 - Sanko advert thumbnail


New Cycling 02/1963 - Transmission

New Cycling 02/1963 - Transmission

New Cycling February 1963 - Transmission thumbnail


New Cycling 04/1963 - Sanko product range

New Cycling 04/1963 - Sanko product range

  • Publisher: New Cycling
  • Date: September 1963
  • Derailleur brands: Sanko
  • Derailleurs: too many to list here
New Cycling April 1963 - Sanko product range thumbnail


New Cycling 04/1964 - Sanko ad

New Cycling 04/1964 - Sanko ad

  • Publisher: New Cycling
  • Date: April 1964
  • Derailleur brands: Sanko
  • Derailleurs: too numerous to mention
New Cycling April 1964 - Sanko advert thumbnail


New Cycling 11/1965 - Sanko ad

New Cycling 11/1965 - Sanko ad

  • Publisher: New Cycling
  • Date: November 1965
  • Derailleur brands: Sanko
  • Derailleurs: too many to list here!
New Cycling November 1965 - Sanko advert thumbnail