When it comes to the range of Shimano's mid-1950s pull-chain derailleurs I am, largely, operating in the dark. I have never seen a contemporary catalogue, advert or even a set of fitting instructions. The gloom is dimly lit by Hideki Sasaki's heroically excellent 'Derailleurs of the World - Shimano', but I still have more questions than answers.
My best guesses go something like this:
- In the mid-1950s the dominant derailleur in the world was the Simplex Tour de France. In Japan the dominant derailleurs were the Sanko S series (which were not unrelated to the Simplex Tour de France.
- By 1955 there were a number of enthusiastic manufacturers active in the Japanese derailleur market. Shimano's 1956 entry was relatively late and perhaps a bit reluctant. Shimano's main focus may have been on its brand new three-speed hub gear.
- When, in 1956, Shimano finally did decide to launch a range of derailleurs, their designs were heavily influenced by the Sanko S series and the Simplex Tour de France. As with the Sanko S series, Shimano developed a pull-chain, sliding rod, mechanism and deployed it across a range of derailleurs with different mounting systems and different pulley cage lengths.
- I believe that, in 1956, there were initially two models, an axle fitting 'racing' model with a sprung b-pivot and a short pulley cage, and a chainstay fitting 'utility model' with no b-pivot and a medium length pulley cage. Neither model had a cable adjuster. Both models were called 'Shimano 3.3.3.'.
- In 1957, I think that the range was redesigned and rechristened. The axle fitting model lost its sprung b-pivot and gained a, slightly redesigned, mid-length pulley cage and a cable adjuster. The chainstay fitting model was restyled, and also acquired the slightly redesigned, mid-length pulley cage and a cable adjuster. I believe that both were called 'Champion Speed'.
- At some point a long cage derailleur was introduced. There is some evidence that, also at some point, this was called the 'Tourist Speed'.
These were well made derailleurs, with good chrome and accurate small parts. But they were very derivative and devoid of any original thought. It would be another ten years before Shimano really got interested in derailleurs.
I believe that this is a, charmingly battered, example of Shimano's first 'racing' derailleur. A very similar model is illustrated in the 1956 edition of Japan's Bicycle Guide. The main arm of this example is stamped '32.1', which, using the traditional Japanese date system, would indicate that it was manufactured in January 1957.
It has the following features:
- It mounts at the axle using a conventional hanger plate, with a forward facing slot.
- It has a sprung b-pivot.
- There is no cable adjuster.
- The, short, 45mm, pulley cage is a strange animal. It is very similar in shape to that of a Simplex Tour de France, but utterly different in action. Simplex made the p-pivot concentric with the guide pulley. Here Shimano have adopted a geometry more similar to a Sanko S series with an offset pivot.
- This particular example has pulley cage plates that are 'fat' in the section between the pulleys.
- The pulley wheels are silver, asymmetrical in the Simplex style, and have adjustable threaded cones.
- Derailleur brands: Shimano
- Categories: Shimano - pull-chain models
- Country: Japan
- Date of introduction: 1956?
- Date of this example: January 1957? (main arm is stamped 32.1)
- Model no.: unknown
- Weight: 312g including hanger plate but excluding a small part of the inner pulley cage plate
- Maximum cog: 24 teeth?
- Total capacity: 22 teeth?
- Pulley centre to centre: 45mm
- Index compatibility: friction
- Chain width: 3/32” and 1/8”?
- Logic: low normal
- B pivot: sprung
- P pivot: sprung
- Materials: steel
Ref. 1292
