I had had my share of broken front Simplex derailleurs, the Delrin plastic is light but not durable. None the less, I am a bit of a purist and still have a several stashed in a box.

Please excuse the drool. Been looking for a reasonable '70s PX10 in my size for a while. Best of luck.

How did you know I was drooling?-)

The front derailleur looks like a Simplex LJ A200, it might be stronger than the other Simplex front derailleurs you guys are talking about.

I am an eternal optimist, but I would carry a few if you have them the material is indeed light but not great under stress. Even the like new looking ones may still cause you problems. Function overrides aesthetics in some instances.
Good luck with the PX
JM2C's, Ben

I went period correct Campagnolo NR on mine for derailleurs. Those plastic Simplex ones scare the crap out of me.

Yes, most likely the original went bust long ago, I think this is a suitable replacement.
The rear mech concerns me, the severely oxidized plastic just screams to me- danger.

My guess '73. Most of the '74's that passed through the shop while I was working way back had the Dubois lugs.
The bikes that arrived in '75 returned to Nervex and before '76 had revised graphics.
Almost bought one as a training bike and at that time the club I rode for was sponsored by Peugeot.

The '74 PX10E had fancy lugs while the PX10LE had plain lugs. The LE cost more and had some upgrades like better hubs, brakes and stem.

I bought the PX10LE and I still have it.

Seat Tube 57cm. Top Tube 57cm. Peugeot Px-10 Reynolds 531. Super Champion wheels. Suntour BL Front derailleur. Huret Jubilee Rear derailleur. Campagnolo Cable guides over the bottom bracket.

In line with what Grand Bois and repechage said, I think 1973 as well - my PX-10E with those angles and the Nervex Pro lugs had a date code on the rear derailleur (if memory serves) that led me to think that.

I am still eager to see how the serial number is done on this one, and would not be one bit surprised if it was unevenly hand-stamped.

The fellow who offered the bike says that he will get it ready to ship on Saturday. I told him that there was no rush but I can't wait to see the bike in the flesh, so to speak. He sent me some more pics, just to add to my salivation(drool) problem...

I replaced a couple of plastic FD's with Simplex SJ A102's. They weren't expensive, even though they're NOS and they have the required housing stop.

Good advice, GB. It looks, to me, in one of the pics that the present derailleur is already cracked. And, for what it is worth, those Delrin plastic derailleurs do not have to be old to let go. This one broke a month or so after the bike was purchased, and then dropped into the crank sprocket...



Anyway, I went under the cottage, to my Man Cave, intending to go through my Simplex stash. Of course, I got side tracked and started pulling apart a Unival road bike I bought this week. I wanted the Suntour Barcon set and stainless steel cable housings for my Motobecane(I want to put it back to original condition).

Anyway, warming up, in front of my fireplace, before I go back out. Thunder Bay got hit with very high winds(three trees downed at my place) in the past day or so, ice crystal fall, blanketing the ground with about 4" of ice and then it dropped powder snow on top of that. And to think, I left Jamaica because it was getting too hot. Will I ever learn!

Don't do anything to it.
Just hang it up.
Kidding.
Kind of.

Well, in for a penny, in for a pound! I just sent payment for the Peugeot. It was boxed at a bike shop and should reach my friend in Duluth in six days time. I intend to drive from Thunder Bay to Duluth to pick the bike up. While there, I intend a ride on the Munger Trail, ensuring a short stop at Third Base. Third Base - last stop on the way home.

The fellow I got the bike from said that it 100% original and in very good condition, apologizing for a scratch or two in the paint or decals. No dings or bends, according to him. The PX sounds like one of those bikes that was purchased, only to see very little use.

As soon as I get the bike, I will share some pictures. And, for what it is worth, I collected all of my Simplex and some of my Stronglight stuff - just in case. I have even given thought to installing the Stronglight 93 triple and matching front derailleur.

Boy am I having fun! I hope!

[QUOTE=randyjawa;19544224] And, for what it is worth, those Delrin plastic derailleurs do not have to be old to let go. This one broke a month or so after the bike was purchased, and then dropped into the crank sprocket...

/QUOTE]

All Simplex derailleurs are old.

@randyjawa - need a Seattle facilitator? You ride a 58 - 60 right? I could for sure pack it and get it where you want it. And pick-up if he's not far from Seattle.


edit: shoulda read your Post #40 first.
Congrats to you.
And for all your good bicycle deeds.
Karma happens.

It is very kind of you to offer facilitation, Widwood and I thank you for it. However; the PX10 is now with Bike Flights and on its way to Duluth. It is salted for delivery on Tuesday. I am slated to go get it as soon as I can, after that.

I always knew "salting" was a good way to preserve meat for transportation;... I didn't know it also worked for bikes!

Eager to see it once you get it up and going. On the topic of Delrin... be prepared to swap out the RD jockey wheels if it hasn't been done already. Sun Tours fit and their plastic is a million times more durable than Simplex.

This Empire was well salted before put away for storage in the dump...



Hope the Peugeot was not salted, as that would definitely upset this old salt..:-)

Works especially well for French bikes!!!

Randy, re: Peug-period front mechs, there are a lot of older Hurets (and many different designs) around, that are fully metal construction. I've found them to shift quite well. I believe a few rather light ones were made to mate with the Duopars.

May seem like heresy to put a Huret on the most famous Simplex bike, but I think it's a lot better than choosing Shimano or SunTour. No argument on the practicality of the older Japanese parts, but ... eet ees Francais, oui?

I would love to see no escargot harmed in this refurbishment.

Thanks for all the suggestions, but for those who know me, I am an all original fellow. The PX10E will be refurbished in its original component configuration. And, as for the Hurett stuff, I am a bit of a fan. In fact, this was to be this Summer's build project...



A well salted old French salt...



Fitted with Hurett stuff...



Chances are I will not get to rejuvenate the LeJeune this year.

The wait to get the Peugeot is almost over, but the anticipation is running at full tilt. Tomorrow morning I am driving to Duluth to pick the bike up. I can hardly wait. I will be back with more pictures. Until then, meaning today, I will be packing a few items for forum members, who bought stuff from me and then get back to puttering on my newest old Torpado, a cool old all chrome steed that came my way a few days ago...