Advice on my low gears for my Retro 531 build.

Hi all,

I am building a Raleigh 531 Lightweight Framed bike to tackle the serious hills around the Purbecks so need as low a gear as possible

I have a 13-28 screw on freewheel so cannot improve on the rear (at least without changing the wheel)

I have a RX100 clamp on front mech which as far as I can make out from internet searching has a max ring difference of 14T. I have a 52/36 crank which has a difference of 16T.

Before I build it, does anyone know if its likely to work or is there any leeway in the Shimano recommendations ?

If not is there any way round this ? Is it possible to fit a MTB front deralliuer which can take a greater max teeth ?

Re:

Should work fine

Andy

What’s wrong with a 14-34 freewheel....just need a rear mech with long cage

Nob":23wq2thd said:

What’s wrong with a 14-34 freewheel....just need a rear mech with long cage

Click to expand...

I didn't think you could get screw on freewheels with 34 teeth ?

widowmaker":15ojove6 said:

Nob":15ojove6 said:

What’s wrong with a 14-34 freewheel....just need a rear mech with long cage

Click to expand...

I didn't think you could get screw on freewheels with 34 teeth ?

Click to expand...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MEGA-RANGE-SPE ... B01IR8UUCO

Personally, I might consider a triple chainset upfront. There is no shame in wanting to preserve your knees .

greencat":286gaz7m said:

widowmaker":286gaz7m said:

Nob":286gaz7m said:

What’s wrong with a 14-34 freewheel....just need a rear mech with long cage

Click to expand...

I didn't think you could get screw on freewheels with 34 teeth ?

Click to expand...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MEGA-RANGE-SPE ... B01IR8UUCO

Personally, I might consider a triple chainset upfront. There is no shame in wanting to preserve your knees .

Click to expand...

I had looked on SPa cycles and SJS and could not see them

The idea is to build a training bike on a smallish budget with bits I have already got, I have a nice RX100 set up that's in very good condition. The crank is a 52/36 and the new screw on freewheel I just bought is a 13-28. The gearing should be ok, just wanted options in case my old knees suffered.

Any recommendations for a rear mech with long cage of similar look/period of the RX100 ? Or would a MTB one be easier as I have a few kicking around.

Looks like there was a long cage RX100:

https://www.euroasiaimports.com/product ... p10397.htm

A similar era Deore DX might be a nice match although I don't know if it'll cope with a 34 rear cog.

greencat":31ex74cp said:

Looks like there was a long cage RX100:

https://www.euroasiaimports.com/product ... p10397.htm

A similar era Deore DX might be a nice match although I don't know if it'll cope with a 34 rear cog.

Click to expand...

Thanks !!!

I run a 14-34 rear with a 48/38/28 Stronglight triple on one of my builds - it can tackle any hill.

Spokesmann":2a2iewr1 said:

I run a 14-34 rear with a 48/38/28 Stronglight triple on one of my builds - it can tackle any hill.

Click to expand...

What rear mech do you use, are you running a cassette for freewheel ?