Originally Posted by
hokie cycler
I have a mid 70's AO-8 and found a Simplex FD on Ebay for $10 from a guy in France.Another $10 for shipping and it is good as new. Of course it will eventually crack like the others.
It may look as good as new, but I have no idea if it is even half as good/strong as new. I have a NOS one that I also don't really know about for actual use, so likely will save it for a real collectible bike or sell it in box.
I've seen LOTS of Simplex front derailers crack over the last 10 years, seems that the Delrin has age limits, at least once they are installed.
We need a fly on the wall who was there when Juy and Co. perhaps first discussed how long that this material had to survive in service!
Surely they would laugh at those of us still using these old derailers!