Originally Posted by
mikemowbz
I gather that's an open question, at least based on what little info I've come across. Note the discussion of uncertainty around whether there was legal action by Suntour against Rino, or perhaps a licensing agreement, on the Disraeligears site:
Rino derailleurs
I've come across similar uncertainty in forum discussions relating to the connection between Cambio Rino and Joe Gardin in Toronto (their NA importer, for a time, though that relationship apparently soured).
In any case, certainly a direct copy made while Suntour's patent remained in effect.
Interesting info there, thanks for the link...it's always amusing to read the stuff that Mr. Disraeli-Gears writes (that's a better handle than "Sweatman", IMHO), I especially like his opinions when I also happen to agree with them.
I learned something, too: Lon Haldeman actually used some of the "Excel" gear, and they were a manufacturer (in Illinois, maybe in someplace like Elgin?) of some very shabby-looking RDs, themselves...so these Rino RDs are really pretty good (compared to those!)