NOS Paul Components Powerglide Rear Derailleur: Mid - 2nd Gen - Red (Take-Off)

Paul Price of Paul Components in Chico, California released the first version of the iconic Powerglide derailleur in 1995. This version had a flat face plate, with "Paul USA" engraved in it.  The second and final version came out in 1996 (see catalog scans in photos), with the main visual difference being an attractive decal in place of the face engravings.  It proudly flies the American Flag on it's face, which represents the small boutique parts makers of the era perfectly.  The Powerglide sold for about $250, while the XTR RD-M900 sold for only $85.  It was a pure work of art in form, function, and performance.  EVERY single piece of the derailleur was replaceable, down to the bushings.  It was made completely of aluminum, brass, and stainless steel.  A completely rebuildable, smooth shifting, lightweight, and otherworldly attractive derailleur...what more could you ask for?

Shimano had the answer to that.  In late 1996, they released the XTR RD-M950.  It was a dull grey and quite plain looking compared to the Paul.  BUT it freaking worked!  The shifting performance was five steps above anything else out at the time.  Sure, you couldn't rebuild a single piece of the derailleur.  But then again, it never needed to be rebuilt!  It was a gigantic middle finger to the whimsical and fun parts that ruled the 1990's from the likes of Paul, Ringle, Kooka, and many others.  

Condition

New old stock, installed on a show bike and not ridden past a test ride.  It is very close to mint, the only real exceptions being the inner-facing edge of the inner parallelogram plate has a couple nicks in the edge (no idea what could have caused this) and the front of the lower pivot casing has a subtle black mark that I only tried lightly to remove.  Zero fading!!

Details

• Mid cage (going off Shimano standards, this is a GS mid/long cage)
• Red anodized
• T6 aluminum plates
• Brass bushings
• Stainless steel hardware