The rear derailleur is, in many ways, the definitive bicycle component, it defines the ‘groupset’ and that in turn, defines the…

The rear derailleur is, in many ways, the definitive bicycle component, it defines the ‘groupset’ and that in turn, defines the bike. Cyclists often use the shorthand of talking about an ‘Ultegra’ road bike or an ‘XTR’ mountain bike. In addition to this the rear derailleur is the most complex and machine like bicycle component, unlike handlebars or hubs it is a real ‘mechanism’, with plenty of mechanical action going on. Finally there may be something to Arnfried Schmitz’s whimsical idea that “collecting derailleurs is fascinating because they are small, complex and have two wheels - like a bike!”

I have been working in bicycle shops since the mid 1970s, and I decided to put together this collection to represent rear derailleurs that I have worked on, sold, heard about or seen at trade shows in that time. Some are gears that I had only heard of, vehemently discussed by crusty old geezers in draughty Cyclist Touring Club club rooms, some are models that I personally sold in their hundreds and some are exotic beauties that I dreamed of owning.

(via http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Derailleurs_-_an_introduction.html )