non-fixie 

The one 1x project I have planned is this one. Already 1x, so no biggie.

AdventureManCO 

Lots of great, high quality replies in this thread.

nlerner what a fun idea for a bell, mounting on a shift boss. I like that.

Lenton58 I know that I have never heard of 'Simplon' before, but I wonder if one of our fellow bicycle encyclopedia members, juvela may have heard a casual mention once or twice? Some members really dig the super obscure bikes, and love the challenge of digging up info on them. Any pictures you can share?

I'm happy with my 38 x 12-32 combo on the Ironman, as it does everything I really want it do, especially with all the hilly terrain around here.

Lenton58 

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll contact 'juvela'.

I've not looked them up recently, but a few years ago Simplon was still going in Switzerland. They specialize in high grade, competition MTB's. From what little I gathered years ago, Simplon was emanation from a company that built boats. Somehow at sometime, they got into bicycles. They made a number of level-graded sports bikes — the highest being a "Five Star". My notes state that the 5-Star had a fretted-out Cinelli BB shell. The one photo I have of this species suggests a mouth watering, exotic, custom built frame. Mine is a Four Star (56x54) in Reynolds 531. The forks and stays are chromium plated. There is chromium plating under the painted portions as well. The dropouts are Campagnolo.

I intend to post photos of this bike after I get it reconfigured. I'll post notice here in this thread.

Lenton58 

This is a very good recommendation. I have thought about such a build, but not for this frame. I have a lot of questions about how you set up a chain line with IGH, but I am interested in the idea.

Lenton58 

Thanks to all those members who wrote in with their suggestions and experiences with 1x builds. This 'refit' has worked out well. The gearing feels about what I was aiming for. After straightening the derailleur hanger, the shifting is pretty smooth on the 7 speed cassette, but it requires some careful movement with some trimming — especially going up to the bigger cogs. It does not appear that I need a 'narrow-wide' chainwheel. The best chainline is right on the middle of the cassette which corresponds to a very useful 16T cog. 42 on 16T yields a very useful 70.9 gear inches.

Chainwheel: 42T
Cassette: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21T

Here are three photos of one of the rarest frames on Bike Forums: Reynolds 531. 56x54. Entirely chrome plated. Campagolo dropouts. A mixture of parts including Campagnolo, SunTour, Sugino75, Nitto, DiaCompe, Mavic, Brooks, MKS, Shimano. (I can't afford contemporary group-sets.) Original paint. Sorry for the mismatched Vittorio tubs ... hahaha.


Outside a nearby Buddhist 'Otera'

The Simplon 'S' pantograph as an uncoiling snake

Sugino-75 DR shifting a vintage Shimano 7-speed cassette. Shimano 600 freehub