The Dérailleur Project

Mechanical History in Motion

Dérailleur (de-rail-ur) noun
A bicycle mechanism that moves the chain, allowing it to shift to different gears.

A photographic study of vintage and historic bicycle dérailleurs.

The heart of a modern bicycle is the rear dérailleur. It transfers energy, manages tension, and reflects decades of mechanical evolution in cycling design. The Dérailleur Project is an ongoing documentation of these intricate components, photographed with precision and consistency.

Each piece is isolated against a clean background and lit to reveal machining marks, engraved logos, and the engineering details that define its era. From early Campagnolo designs to contemporary innovations, this collection traces the evolution of cycling technology through careful studio work.

Inspired by a lifelong interest in bicycles and bike racing, this project sits between archive and art. It is a historical record and a visual study of mechanical design.

Power becomes motion. Precision becomes history.

Campagnolo Sport

Campagnolo produced the Sport from 1952 to 1957. It features a single rear pulley wheel with minimal teeth in an effort to reduce incorrectly perceived drive train friction. Everything that makes a good derailleur was sacrificed in order to avoid this dastardly friction.

Campagnolo Valentino Extra

Campagnolo introduced the Valentino Extra rear derailleur in 1968 as a low-cost option. It was named after the founder’s son and was made of stamped steel.

Campagnolo Rally

This Rally is a 2nd generation model that was introduced in 1982. It has the reinforced hanger neck with the raised Campagnolo logo.

Campagnolo Super Record

This Super Record is a 1978 version of the model that Campagnolo introduced in 1974.

Campagnolo Nuove Record

This Nouvo Record is a 1982 model and is the second generation of the all-aluminum version that was introduced in 1967. It was just a bit heavier than the Super Record model but performed just as well.

Campagnolo Super Record 50th Anniversary

This Super Record rear derailleur was introduced in 1983 to commemorate Campy’s 50th year in business. It’s also the year that founder Tullio Campagnolo died. This is from group #7088 of approximately 15K that were produced.

Campagnolo 980

The 980 was introduced in September of 1980 hence 980 as the model designation.

Campagnolo C Record

The C Record was introduced in 1984 one year after Tullio Campagnolo's death. This is a second generation model with the open lower pulley wheel.

Campagnolo Croce 'd Aune

The Croce ‘d Aune was introduced in 1988 it features the Rod actuated Twin-Axle system that swung the main parallelogram backwards as the pulley cage moved inwards. This maintained a fairly even chain gap and delivered a crisper, more accurate, gear change.

Campagnolo Racing T

The Racing T was introduced in the late 1990's as a triple-crank compatible racing group.

Campagnolo Chorus Carbon Long Cage

The Chorus Carbon was first introduced in 2000 to debut 10 speed shifting.

Campagnolo Super Record 80th Anniversary Model

This limited edition grouppo was introduced in 2013 to celebrate Campy’s 80th year in business. The grouppo features a unique matte black finish with the 80th anniversary logo on most components.

Campagnolo Super Record EPS

Campagnolo introduced this electronic shifting group in 2011. It features full carbon fiber construction and is 11-speed compatible. EPS stands for Electronic Power Shifting.

Zeus Criterium This is a 1st generation model that was introduced in 1969. It’s an all-steel copy of a Campagnolo Record.

Ofmega Mistral It was introduced in 1982 and is made of plastic with an aluminum inner cage plate.

Suntour Superbe Pro It was introduced in 1980 and this is a later model with the gold stripe on the body.

Mavic 851 SSC This is the Professional version of the 801 which was introduced in 1979.

Ofmega Premier It was first introduced in 1984 and was one of the classiest and most beautiful derailleurs of it's era.

Huret Jubilee It was first introduced in 1970 to celebrate Huret's 50th anniversary.

Mavic 840 SSC It was introduced in 1992 and was compatible with Shimano index shifters.

Rino Crono This is a 1st generation model and was introduced in 1982.

Shimano Dura-Ace 7400 It was introduced in 1985 and was one of the best derailleurs of it's era.

Suntour Cyclone GT – This is a lighting test with the long cage version of the Cyclone. It was introduced in 1976.

Shimano XTR M910 This is a 2nd generation model and it was introduced in 1995.

Shimano Deore XT Rapid Rise M760 It was introduced in 2003 and provided a claimed advantage over high-normal derailleurs but alas it did not.

Paul Powerglide It's fully CNC machined, made in the US and was introduced in '95. This is an early model with the Paul sticker on the outer plate.

Campagnolo Record OR It was introduced in 1992 and was Campy's high-end MTB grouppo at the time.

Campagnolo Olympus The Olympus was introduced in 1991 as a lower priced option for their mountain bike groups. It was second in their line-up and has steel pulley cage plates and is 8-speed compatible.

Shimano XTR M950 This is a 3rd generation model and was introduced in 1996

Suntour XC Pro It was introduced in 1990 as a rival to Shimano XT. This is a mid-cage version and it was one of the premier Mountain Bike derailleurs of its era.

Paul Powerglide Here's a custom short cage version courtesy of some guy with a hacksaw. This is a later model with the engraved Paul logo and USA on the outer plate.

Campagnolo Euclid The Campagnolo Euclid was introduced in 1989. It was Campy’s premier mountain bike group at the time. This is a short cage version with an inner cage plate made of steel.

SRAM XO 20th Anniversary It was introduced in 2007 to celebrate SRAM's 20th anniversary. It features an engraved hanger bolt, a titanium spring, a CNC machined carbon fiber cage and sealed bearing pulley wheels.

Built for Books, Archives & Collections

The images in this series are made for more than viewing on a screen. They are created to hold up in print, in catalogs, and in long-term archives where detail matters.

If you are building a collection, preparing a publication, or preserving rare cycling components, I can photograph pieces with a consistent studio approach and deliver files ready for print and editorial use.

Preserve Cycling History Through Studio Photography

Rare dérailleurs and historic bicycle components deserve museum-quality documentation. Commission detailed studio imagery designed for collectors, cycling brands and archival projects.

Mechanical History in Motion

Built for Books, Archives & Collections

Preserve Cycling History Through Studio Photography

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