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Post by wheelson on Feb 18, 2021 19:28:26 GMT
That’s a nice old Suntour freewheel with a massively low gear. Fitting it to a derailleur will be interesting, depending if you want to stay period and what chain rings you’re running. A long cage Crane or Suntour Mountech would probably work. The Mountech gets a bad rap because of the upper pulley design, but if you keep it serviced and full of waterproof grease it works well. It’s the only classic long cage derailleur that I’ve found that works well on my ‘84 Schwinn Voyageur SP tourer. Best, John “wheelson” I know John, that’s partly why I haven’t used it yet, not keen on fitting a modern long cage RD, as it kind of partly defeats the point of having a period freewheel. But that might be the only way of using it, the Crane stuff doesn’t appear to be in abundance and it’s pricey. If you can find a long cage Titlist or Tourney in the old version, the cage will interchange with the Crane. Only difference the Crane long cage is alloy, the others are steel. I say early version because the later versions have a nylon bushing around the pivot screws. Best, John “w”
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Post by brianbutler on Feb 18, 2021 20:18:57 GMT
Franco, you might be able to find a Suntour V-GT (long cage) more easily than a Crane long cage. They are excellent vintage derailleurs. Look for any mid-70's Motobecane Grand Touring and maybe other models, also mid-70's Raleigh Super Grand Prix as they are also equipped with the V-GT Luxe. The front Suntour Comp V derailleur is also excellent mechanically but "high normal" (i.e. backwards) so it takes a little getting use to but in 10 minutes you're OK.
While you look for a vintage long cage, you can run a Shimano Tourney TX, which shifts beautifully and handles big cogs but looks clunky. Short money, too.
Brian
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Post by franco on Feb 18, 2021 21:18:53 GMT
Thanks Brian.
A quick look on eBay does turn up more Suntour options.
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rodh
Viscount
Posts: 122
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Post by rodh on Feb 18, 2021 23:19:03 GMT
Try the 600 series or Arabesque ... there's a long cage on that, and a nifty mechanism which allows you to remove the chain without removing the pulleys (for people without a quick link). I think it might even transfer to a Crane if you want to stay consistent with Viscount's choice, as well as period correct. Cheers, Rod
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Post by wheelson on Feb 18, 2021 23:28:17 GMT
Thanks Brian. A quick look on eBay does turn up more Suntour options. The Suntour VGT Lux is excellent, for a front try a Mountech, comparable to Shimano Titlist, the two best front derailleurs that will easily shift a triple. But a lot of good choices out there. Best, John “w”
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rodh
Viscount
Posts: 122
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Post by rodh on Feb 18, 2021 23:40:12 GMT
A 52/42 chainset with the original 14-16-20-24-28 freewheel gives 6 distinct ratios Change that to 14-15-16-17-18 and you get 8 ratios but the range only suits the flat. Change to a 52/44 and 14-15-16-19-23-28 and you get 8 ratios and a useful range Update on this ... the 6 speed is 13-18 close ratio which is too close for my liking! I ran a 13-17 Maillard last summer, and ran out of gears on Surrey hills ... embarassing! Its replacement was a brand new FA-100 (14-18 like the Supa) but I've shelved that idea. Still, this MF-7400 was too cheap to pass up (£10 donation) and it has removable sprockets ... So, my plan is to keep sprockets 13-14-15, move down the 18, add a 22 and a 26, and it's like the last setup above, nudged down 7%. Fingers crossed! Rod
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Post by velocipete on Feb 21, 2021 7:18:15 GMT
Try a Suntor VxGT. That's what I used. I may have used an extra drop link about 1 inch long. I can't remember the exact details and no photographs unfortunately. Cheers, Pete.
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