derailleur info - what can I do what can't I do?

[gregs656]

Hi,

Currently my bike has got Simplex F&R derailleurs and selectors.

Neither of them are looking very pretty.

I'd like to perhaps replace it all, but I'm not clear at all on what I can and can't do - something period (80s) that can be had for not a lot of money would be preferable.

This is all new to me and I'm sure it's made to sound more complicated than it really is!

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Midlife]

Pictures of what you have would be a great help

Shaun

 

[gregs656]

There are pictures on this thread

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=200534

 

[Midlife]

How about early shimano....they were somewhat over-engineered and should still give good performance. And look nice

Shaun

 

[nammonk]

80s Suntour, for sure. Best shifting mechs of the time (much better than Campag and Shimano). Superbe if you can get it (but often rather pricey now), but Cyclone, VX, ARx, etc. also good and often to be had at reasonable prices. Cyclone M-II front mech with the "eternal band" fitting is lovely IMO:

http://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx? ... AbsPos=235

Tempted by this one myself (currently £6):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/70s-suntour-c ... 4ab6f9c219

Nick

 

[gregs656]

Ok, but what exactly do I need to look for in terms of mounting etc? Are they all the same? Will I need to buy the whole set or could I (for example) switch out the rear, keep the rest of the set up simplex until I find the appropriate front and levers? I assume the number of gears makes a difference or no?

Like I say, newbie.

 

[nammonk]

You can mix and match at will. 5,6,7 speed will all work together (presuming you aren't going for index (click) shifting).

Levers: you need "band-on" levers rather than braze-on. However, if the levers on there will clean up, they look fine. Like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suntour-Band- ... 231cbcec85

Front mech: you need a mech with a clamp for round the seatpost, rather than a braze on. The majority of the older ones are clamp on rather than braze. Like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suntour-Honor ... 3f171881dc

Rear mech: most decent ones bolt directly to a hanger on the frame, as your current one does. Some lower range older ones come with their own hanger. Even so, the hangers are a separate piece and can be removed in most cases, so you can bolt the mech straight on to the frame. I've come across a few cheap old Shimano mechs that have a non-removable built in hanger. Avoid. Example of a mech with a removable hanger:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suntour-Honor ... 3f17187d93

Hope this helps.
Nick

 

[Midlife]

Forgot about Suntour.....quite nice stuff, imported originally by RonKit and used by his team. Never had the cachet of Shimano and Campag and relegated to the second division for no good reason.

I think it was made by medea Industries who closed the lot down and sold off all their tools.

Good choice

Shaun

 

[gregs656]

Hope this helps.
Nick

It helps enormously, exactly what I needed to know

The shift levers I have are actually fine. If I can score a front and rear derailleur for sensible money I think it would be well worth it.

Thanks for the help and suggestions folks.

 

[gregs656]

Bought the suntour 'Honor' front and rear from the above link.

That's another job sorted

Only a seat post, seat, bar tape and pedals left :roll: