Shifter Type  | Downtube | Attachment Style | Downtube Braze-on (standard);
Downtube Clamp-On |
| Shifting Systems | Friction | Lever Markings | "L. J. Simplex" "S" |
| Lever Material | Aluminum | | |
A right hand 50's Simplex shifter, which came on a 50's bike, which also had a Simplex's Tour de France rear derailleur.
These control levers were supplied with all Simplex rear derailleur gears. They could be mounted as clamp-on or modified for use with brazed-on bosses by simply removing the clip.
Lever, outer cover and bolt are all alloy, so total weight is pretty low. Although, in saying this, I'm not sure if using the bolt to save weight is the best idea, since I'd suggest that stripping this often used bolt is a possibility if the user was careless when tightening it up... And, if the lever is to be used on an unfamiliar frame attached to a brazed on boss, this could be a problem as the above bolt seemingly is French threaded. Or possibly this threading (widely spaced, see close-up on pic) is particular to frames from the 50's with suitable bosses that became obsolete, as I've never seen the like before. |
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| Component Variations | View Detailed List Manage Variations |
| Variations of Component exist (Component is 1 of 2) | Brand | Group |
| Simplex single (SIMPLEX D on washer) | Simplex | |
Known for their black plastic (Delrin) derailleurs during the "bike boom" of the 1970's, they were at the forefront of innovation over the years, producing such highly regarded items as the Super LJ derailleurs, Retrofriction shifters, and very popular line of seat posts.
