From a (considerable) distance the Triplex Sport could be mistaken for the classic Campagnolo Nuovo Record. Close up it is clearly from a different planet - the Planet Cheapo. The casting lines have not been ground off, the lustreless, grey aluminium is neither well polished or well anodised, the steel parts don’t quite rust, but become horribly discoloured - and I seem to remember that the spring tended to lose the will to live after a few months.

This example is the basic Sport model, with no fancy name plate, no adjustable cable outer stop and (for some reason) 9 tooth pulley wheels. Mysteriously it is 20g lighter than the more prestigious Profesional model.

Along with the Sugino Vic and the Tectoron KS-01, this is one of the elite brotherhood of derailleurs with their name written upside down. This probably communicates some deeply significant secret message to members of Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion, but seems plain daft to the rest of us.

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• Derailleur brands: Triplex
• Country: Spain
• Date of introduction: 1970
• Date of this example: unknown
• Model no.: unknown
• Weight: 185g
• Maximum cog: 30 teeth?
• Total capacity: 28 teeth?
• Pulley centre to centre: 46mm
• Index compatibility: friction
• Chain width: 3/32”
• Logic: top normal
• B pivot: unsprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: aluminium