The Eagle was Shimano’s attempt to wrest control of their brand back from Schwinn - at the time the most powerful bicycle manufacturer in the world. The Eagle met all Schwinn’s requirements, particularly the bashguard and the ‘cable saver’ sprung cable clamp, but it was Shimano’s own model.

Even so it is notable that, on this version, the word ‘Shimano’ is very small and only appears on the hanger plate, and the word ‘Eagle’ (a very American bird) is prominent and in a typeface that would grace a 1960’s Cadillac. I believe that this is a very early version of the Eagle with no holes in its bashguard and screw-on caps at the pivots.

Despite its horrendous weight (the bashguard is a serious piece of steel) the Shimano Eagle sold in vast quantities.

• Derailleur brands: Shimano
• Categories: Shimano - from Skylark to world domination
• Country: Japan
• Date of introduction: 1970?
• Date of this example: unknown (no two letter date code, and has ‘3.3.3.’ marking on pulleys)
• Model no.: unknown
• Weight: 455g including hanger plate
• Maximum cog: 28 teeth
• Total capacity: 28 teeth
• Pulley centre to centre: 54mm
• Index compatibility: friction
• Chain width: 3/32”
• Logic: top normal
• B pivot: sprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: steel (and plenty of it)