BikingViking793 

My searches have left me confused. Can someone tell me how Altus LT fit into the early 80s Shimano group line up? Was it entry, mid, high? What groups were above and below it. Where would it fit in relative to the modern groups? My search sorta led me to it being like a 105, but not sure that is right. Thanks.

T-Mar

Shimano Altus LT was introduced in the very later 1970s, along with the slightly lower Altus ST. At the time, Shimano only offered four full groups Dura-Ace EX, Dura-Ace, 600EX and 600. 105 was not introduced until 105. Altus was not really a group, as the series only comprised derailleurs and shift levers, though they were generally paired with a Selecta crankset and SQ/SN hubs. With the introduction of the AX series in 1981, Altus. was bumped by Dura-Ace AX, 600AX and Adamas AX.

If you lump the concurrently offered Dura-Ace groups together and do the same with the 600 groups, then you could consider Altus/Selecta to be 3rd tier, through 1980 (and 4th tier after that) though they really weren't up to the level of the 3rd tier 105 group that followed. I've always considered them upper, entry level.

non-fixie 

The Altus LT was the first derailleur to feature Shimano's Centeron mechanism, if I'm not mistaken. Makes it one of the nicest-shifting transmissions of the era, IMO. Doesn't look too bad, either.

dddd

Altus seemed to replace the very good Titlist derailers, but were made using more economical stamped/folded link plates instead of forgings.

I also recall "model 60" freehubs and front derailers from this time in the late 70's, just a bit more modest than 600.

T-Mar

I've always consider the Altus derailleurs to be direct descendants of the Shimano 500 and 400 derailleurs.

The model 60 front derailleur is what was paired with their original 600 rear derailleur when released in 1975 and replaced by a proper 600 front derailleur for the 1977 model year.

daverup 

A couple of pictures to add.
My 83 Le Tour came with the Altus ST RD, it has fairly cheap plastic covers over the pivot points that tend to crack and get lost.
The left (upper) pivot cover is starting to crack.




Next is the replacement Altus LT, nice shifting RD

daverup 

My 78 Super Le Tour 12.2 came with the Shimano 60 FD, I didn't really like it. I replaced it with a Titlist, which seems to shift much nicer, and is easier to adjust.

T-Mar

That's the 2nd generation Titlist front derailleur. It debuted for the 1977 model year with the major change being the CPSC cage nose. It was three steps down from the 600/60 series but may shift better due to the greater capacity. It's strange that the model 60 was used by Schwinn in 1978, as it was replaced by the 600 the previous year. Schwinn must have had a lot of old stock, bought Shimano's close-outs or placed a special order for the older model. I'd appreciated you posting the date code from the model 60, if you still have it.

T-Mar

The Altus ST was basically the economy version of the Altus LT. Both used the same geometry, had same features and shared many of parts. The LT version does have a nicer, aluminum, outer parallelogram arm and nicer pivot bolts. It also weighs about 40g less.

daverup 

The 60 FD date code appears to be BL which I think is Dec 77.
Doesn't show up well in the pic,