The evolution of bicycle componentry is a story of innovation and competition, as manufacturers have consistently pushed boundaries to improve performance, reliability, and efficiency. From pioneering derailleur systems to cutting-edge electronic shifting, the development of bicycle components has been driven by companies like Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, Simplex, and Suntour, each leaving a lasting impact on cycling history.
Simplex
Founded in 1920 by Lucien Juy in France, Simplex was among the earliest innovators of derailleur technology. Starting with rod-operated systems, Simplex advanced to cable-operated derailleurs in the 1930s, revolutionising gear shifting for road cycling. Their experimentation with lightweight plastic components in the 1960s was ahead of its time but proved problematic due to durability issues, leading to the decline of the brand. Despite this, Simplex remains a significant part of the technological evolution of cycling.
Campagnolo
Established in 1933 by Tullio Campagnolo, this Italian brand is synonymous with high-quality components. Campagnolo’s quick-release skewer invention and the 1949 Gran Sport parallelogram derailleur set new standards for performance and reliability. Over the decades, Campagnolo became a favourite among professional racers, with its Record and Super Record groupsets epitomizing elite craftsmanship. The company continues to innovate, blending tradition with modern technology, such as electronic shifting systems.
Suntour
Suntour, founded in Japan in 1912, was a major innovator during the mid-20th century. Its slant-parallelogram derailleur, introduced in the 1960s, dramatically improved shifting performance and became the industry standard. Despite producing reliable and affordable components, Suntour struggled to compete after its patents expired in the 1980s, and Shimano’s innovations dominated the market. However, Suntour’s influence persists, particularly in its pioneering derailleur designs.
Shimano
Founded in 1921 by Shozaburo Shimano in Japan, Shimano’s rise to dominance began in the 1970s with the introduction of indexed shifting (SIS), making gear changes more precise. Shimano’s STI levers in the 1990s combined braking and shifting into a single control, revolutionizing bicycle cockpits. In the 2000s, the company introduced Di2 (Digital Integrated Intelligence) electronic shifting, setting new standards for seamless gear changes. Today, Shimano is a leader across all cycling disciplines, from road to mountain biking.
SRAM
SRAM, an American company founded in 1987, initially gained recognition for its Grip Shift technology for mountain bikes. Its growth accelerated with the acquisition of RockShox, Avid, and Truvativ, enabling it to offer complete groupsets. In 2006, SRAM entered the road market with its DoubleTap shifting, and in 2015, it introduced wireless electronic shifting (eTap), showcasing a groundbreaking approach to cable-free drivetrain technology. SRAM remains a leading innovator in high-performance cycling with its transition to 12 speed wireless electronic AXS, “access”, shifting.
There are other peripheral component manufacturers such as Vittoria Margherita from Italy, Mavic, Super Champion, and Huret all from France, but from Simplex’s early derailleur systems and Suntour’s ingenious slant parallelogram design to Campagnolo’s luxurious craftsmanship, Shimano’s technological breakthroughs, and SRAM’s wireless innovations, the history of bicycle componentry is a testament to human ingenuity.
These brands have not only shaped the bicycles of their time but have also laid the groundwork for the future of cycling, ensuring that every pedal stroke brings riders closer to perfection.
