In what year did the Tour de France permit the use of derailleurs in competition?
Answer
1937.
The acceptance of variable gears in professional racing was a slow process, largely opposed by traditionalists like Henri Desgrange. Despite ongoing development by advocates like Paul de Vivie, who tested a two-speed derailleur in 1905, the competitive shift away from single-speed racing required a major regulatory change. The significant moment arrived in 1937 when the Tour de France officially allowed derailleurs to be used during the competition. Even then, these initial devices required the rider to physically guide the chain by hand near the rear wheel.
Related Questions
What early adjustment required a cyclist to stop and flip the rear wheel to change gear ratios?Why did racing cyclists generally reject the popularity of the hub gear until around 1930?Whose French patent first laid out the basic principle of derailing the chain between sprockets?In what year did the Tour de France permit the use of derailleurs in competition?Which French company introduced the first system using a cable and pulley arrangement in 1938?What design element did Campagnolo's 1949 Gran Sport popularize to achieve smoother shifting motion?Which Japanese manufacturer introduced indexed shifting via SIS in 1984 on the DURA-ACE 7400?What sales concept was necessitated by the standardized cable pull of Shimano Index System (SIS)?What crucial integration did Shimano introduce in 1990 by combining braking and shifting on road bikes?Which company pioneered electronic shifting, including a wireless attempt, before Shimano's wired success?