Plastic Simplex F Deraileur Advice Needed
 

Between the AV-223 Prestige Criterium and the LJA200 Criterium, which one break easier? Thanks

I think any of them that have the Delrin clamp around the front of the seat tube break just about as easy - at least that clamp does. There was an aluminum one, too.

My simplex prestige broke by just looking at it. It was 35+ years old and barely used.
If I was riding it would have gotten all wrapped up and thrashed the chainring.

Get one made of metal.

I have never met a Simplex front derailleur I would recommend to anyone.

I have.

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/29...600x600Q85.jpg

Excellent taste in tires, sir!:thumb:

Plastic + Simplex = Junk.

If your bike now has a Simplex Prestige, your bike is set up for a front derailer with a built in housing stop and you have very few choices. There are workarounds, but I don't find any of them satisfactory.

Try a Sun Tour Compe V. It's what we used back in the day when the OEM Simplex FD broke.
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With a Simplex, its important to tighten the mounting screws until the plastic snaps, then replace with something made of metal. The only sure fix.

Sorry, but I hated Simplex anything even when they were brand new. Nighmares to work on for repairs. I would much rather use a low end SunTour of Shimano , rather than anything Simplex. Simplex reminds me too much of British Lucas electrical systems.

Which one will break is not always a function of the design, but of useage, age and particularly environmantal exposure. In this case we're talking a parallelogram LJA200 versus a piston AV-223. I'd be taking my chances with former, due to it's far superior shifting. If it breaks, it breaks.

Simplex made some excellent stuff in the '80s.

http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/38...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/26...600x600Q85.jpg

I went with the LJA200, can't believe how bad the AV223 shifts until I play with it. I even soaked it in oil, but it improved little.