Odd Simplex shifter
 

Has anyone seen one of these before? Is it original to the bike or something someone added? Thanks






https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f735f6002.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3aee08fb6.jpeg

I don't know, but my vote is aftermarket.

-----

shift lever part of a gear ensemble intended for juvenile cycles -

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d94e1f145.jpeg
-----

Thanks for that - I didn't know this was "not to be used with front changer" - would make sense as no sprung top pivot.

The one I have came on a kid's Peugeot with 24 inch steel rim wheels and drop bars, think it had a five-speed rear but how many cogs I dunno.

my vote is "awesome!"

-----

Huret offered similar shift levers produced for use on juvenile derailleur geared machines -


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9fbaeb3a12.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a471cde196.jpg

-----

What year were these offered...around the same time as the Schwinn Stingray Crates or before? Seems like an attempt to get riders ready to shift an automobile 4speed.
Best, Ben

------

Bonjour Maitre Ben, ;)

The two Freres Huret pages posted above come from the manufacturer's publication of 1969. Do not have start/stop dates for the products shown.

This would seem to put them right at the peak of the Sting Ray / Orange Krate phenomenon.

---

As all dedicated C&V enthusiasts know only too well, by far the most famous/notorious of the shift levers of this sort is the Elefante as perpetrated by Tullio & Co. It is item Nr. 3360. :D

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...551c20967b.jpg
-----

juvela,
As always, the master of the arcane......Thank you for the reference to The Elephante No.3360 which is one to consider, another just as good but not as well known or sought after is the Tullio & Co.'s Fungo Sognatore No.1958.
Best, Ben
:innocent:

Looking at the subject lever's laminated stamped steel construction, I am recalling servicing one PX10 from early 1970 having the earlier 1960's style of decals. Recalling these were a double set of DT levers with hard plastic lever tips somewhat like Huret Jubilee.
I think this method of constructing their levers was over a brief period of production, perhaps one year or so.
Shown below at center:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a91b4a83af.jpg

-----

Thanks for posting these.

Suspect this model of shift lever enjoyed but a brief production life on the order of one to one and one half years.

Purchased a new PX-10E in 1970 which came fitted with them.

Design poor. With use the ball end of the shift cable was able to wedge apart the sheet metal which meant that one could not shift onto the large cog.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9f759d928.jpeg

-----

I like how the decorative piece of red plastic matches the Prestige front derailleur