AAARRGHHH! Have I got the age all wrong?

When did braze-on front mechs first appear on mass production bikes?

I thought my Peugeot frame was a 1978-83, but the official spec cites mechs that only appear to be clamp-on and mine is brazed.

Any recommendations for a non-Simplex 1980 braze-on front mech?

Not sure when the first braze-on front mech came out but a quick check of Campagnolo catalog 17a, c 1975, offers only clamp on while "Olympic" catalog, c 1982, offers both types.

But that is only one company, of course.

Summer 1981 Bikeology catalog, they were a big mail order house here in the States, only offers clamp on type front changers. Brands include Suntour, Shimano and Campagnolo.

I "left" cycling in 1982, we had seen them from the reps and sample frames but don't remember having to fit one or adjust one or seeing a bike actually on the road with one.

Shaun

Re:

Damn it. Back to the drawing board for me. And if you see me on l'Eroica don't tell anyone the youth of my steed or I'll be disqualified

Re:

I have a 1982 Courtois with its original Spidel front derailleur - I know that the Spidel FD was a re-branded Simplex, - but at least its correct period.

Not sure if brazings for f. derailleurs were standard at that time - as this one appears to be bolted directly to the frame!

Dave

I have two Rossin Record, one apparently around 1979, could be as early as 77, this one is a clamp on frame: While the other is 1982ish and is a brace on type.

The thing I've just noticed that further suggests this frame is much younger are the cable guides being under not over the top tube.

But it has old skool Simplex dropouts with an adjuster screw thingy.

Re:

It sounds like you have a French style braze on. Totally different than the Campag or Shimano ones that use a bracket. It is basically like a water bottle boss brazed onto the side of the seat tube. Very prevalent in mid '80s Peugeots. Simplex (Spidel, Gipiemme, all rebranded simplex) and Mavic made a version.

These bolt fixings (Dave's photo) were a Peugeot special design - I had one on my `Specialist Routier' delivered in 1985. Had it removed when the bike was resprayed in '89 as it limits you to Simplex front mechs. I also had the stupid grub screw seat post fixing taken out.

They first appear in the '82 Peugeot catalogue - although if you find enough pictures of Phil Andserson leading the '81 Tour, I think you'll see they existed then.

Thereafter Peugeot frames had band-on front mechs (no boss), at least until my catalogues run out in the early 90s. Ajoten, is yours a bolt type braze-on or the more conventional Campagnolo type sitting at 90 deg to the frame? Do you have a picture?

Regards

Paul

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1975 Gazelle Champion Mondial, 3 hole Gran Sport
1978 Gazelle Champion Mondial, Super Record
1985 Gazelle Champion Mondial, Victory
1983 Raleigh Gran Sport, Gran Sport
1984 Raleigh Team Replica, Nuovo Record
1987 Peugeot Aneto, Chorus
1988 Peugeot Perthus, Croce d'Aune
1977 Olmo Grand Prix, Valentino mix
Early 1980s Cerbai Special, Super Record
1982 Alan Competizione, Super Record
1984 Ciocc, 980 mix
1985 Colnago Super, Nuovo Record
1986 Rossin `Team', Super Record