Originally Posted by Thylacine
Bostontrevor Wrote -
A lot of early safety bikes had multiple cogs on the back that you shifted when you got to a hill by stopping, losening the back wheel, putting into an easier ratio, then off you went, up the alps. I understand this was a common thing in some of the early races like the Tour De France etc, before the advent of the derailleur. I don't think there was any 'cult' or 'timetrial' aspects about it.
Campy made this scary thing ca 1940.....The axle nut was loosened with one handle and the chain was forced to the other cog using the second handle .... All while riding!!!! From campyonly.com:
The sliding hub, dual rod operated, back pedal derailleur is patented on May 4th and introduced in August. The pieces of the derailleur are all handmade requiring a massive investment of time and labor.
Jim
Last edited by jimv; 10-09-04 at 07:48 PM.