I'm contemplating putting a 2 speed set-up on a show pony just for something a little different...I have a set of the old style Shimano DX cranks, the dual chain rings and spider and the shift lever? I'm still missing the front derailer and rear tensioners...

Does anyone know about this set-up, are the derailers and rear tensioners specific to the DX BMX Crank arrangement or are they just old shimano ten speed parts?...I think they might end up being virtually impossible to source which would be a shame..

I would be appreciative to hear about anything about them? Has anyone used them? They were obviously a gimmick because it would seem they never took off?

Hey 84profile
You might want to check out this (if you already haven't done so).
Exactly what you're chasing - front derailer and rear tensioner!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Shimano-DX-Holeshot...1QQcmdZViewItem
Might want to check out who's bidding too

Cheers

Mick - volcano

The rear tensioner shown in this Shimano ad is not a road bike part as it is meant to be installed on a slotted dropout and not on a threaded hanger.

I had the exact same part installed on my JMC (now owned by John deBruin). It is clearly shown on a picture in a post I made about the setup. I would put a link to that post but the oldschoolbmx/vintagebmx temporary domain name change creates a funny link. Just do a search for Browning 2-speed and you'll find it.

Now, here is the nice story ending for you: since I knew these tensioners were almost impossible to find, I got two extra Shimano tensioners from Browning, just in case I would find a use for them (on another bmx bike or a single speed road or mountain bike). I still have the derailleurs, in sealed Shimano Genuine Parts plastic bags, part number RD-MX50. You can have one for $25 plus shipping, which is what I paid for it.

As for the front derailleur, I suspect it is a garden variety road bike part. As long as you find one that has a one inch clamp (the common size on BMX frames bitd), you should have no issues running one.

I made a typo in my post above as I have two TENSIONERS available. I don't know why I wrote derailleurs... Brain Fade you say?

Didn't Darrell Young use one of these at some stage? I'm sure I've seen him with one on a JMC.
Anyhoo, I would mind one of these on my cruiser to ride to work on.
Marc, you wanna send one down under? Full shipping costs of course.

Coasty, DY had a Browning 2 speed.