WIDE range vintage rear derailleur options
 

Is there any vintage Suntour derailleur that can handle a 7 speed 11-34 range other than the heavyweight Suntour AG? Anything? Friction of course.
I really don't want to buy a new plastic anything to shift thru this cassette. I'd rather not use Huret.

Suntour made a 7speed XC rd for mountain bikes in the early 90s which can run in friction.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...716eea151.jpeg

This is the XC Comp

Long cage cyclones do 34 tooth 7 speed for me.

Many of the long-cage ("GT") road models would probably do the trick.

As opposed to what? There aren't many derailleurs out there that won't work happily with a friction shifter.

I was just reaffirming my commitment to old stuff vs new 'Microshift'/Micronew stuff that shifts up to a 40-50 rear cog like buttah.

Cyclone MkII. 🤙🏻

Thanks, I think I've got at least 4 Suntour GT's but I wasn't sure they'd pass the 34 tooth muster.

If the long cage road derailleur don't work, I would guess a nice XC Pro 7 speed derailleur will work great. I also have a first gen Deore XT (deerhead) shifting a 7 speed cassette with a 36t big cog.

it partly depends on the hanger length, too.

Please feed back the results. And if it works well.
I've seen vintage RDs stretched to the point of ridiculous, if you value 'dependable' and 'lasting'.
Inquiring minds like to know how it went, and we appreciate 1st hand accounts.
Some folks even like the blow by blow install.
Some folks want all the drivetrain specifics in detail
With pics.


At least 1 GT is in my stash.
My aging legs would like to know how it goes.

My 1971 Nishiki Competition came with a SunTour VGT and a 14-34 freewheel, with half-step (54-47) up front. Since the jockey wheel is at the cage pivot, it could handle 34T in back irrespective of the drop in front.

Of the vintage SunTour options, VxGT is best or Shimano Crane GS. Both shift wider cogs more reliably, and smoother than Huret anything, Simplex anything, Campagnolo anything. My SunTour VxGT derailleurs adjusted right, and maintained just work, I can depend on them.

I'm running Suntour VGT Luxe on two Raleighs, with 34t six speed Megarange. They are actually rated for up to 36t, but handle the 34t very well. Never tried a 7 speed, but it should work, as well too.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...260da07b59.jpg
Runs big/big with a 52t chainring all day long. This is a photo during build and set-up.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...df536291bb.jpg
Another VGT Luxe with a 32/40/52 triple and a 34t Megarange 6 speed.

why does the BL GT line never get any love in these suntour discussions? they work great, too. i have two sets of them. never noticed any real difference between them and the VGT i've had my hands on at points

Suntour VGT
 

Raleigh badged Suntour VGT on my 1971 Raleigh Competition beater. I was blown away after I rebuilt this one. It shifts as smooth as any Shimano RD from the indexing era.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ffa1c626fc.jpg

Back in 1976 when we started Rough Stuff riding road bikes off road, I put together a rig with 40-26 TA cranks and a 14-34T FW. A Suntour VGT shifted flawlessly all the time.

I personally think the Suntour Cyclone GT derailleurs are a little flimsy for hard shifting but most of the folks who swear by them are probably very experienced riders.

verktyg :50:

Thanks all. I guess I was underestimating the capabilities of Suntour road derailleurs. Will report back.

I've gotten the SunTour X-1 mountain derailleur to work with a 32T. I would imagine that it could do 34T.

I vaguely recall that there was a 34 tooth freewheel option from Suntour back in the late '70s. My teenage self thought that was ridiculous, so it might not be that big. Now my road bike has a 36 tooth gear on it, and the resulting 34-36 has been too steep of a gear on occasion.

Wasn't ridiculous for me, I needed it, and installed one on my old Schwinn Traveler as an upgrade, complete with SunTour VxGT front and rear derailleurs. Once installed and adjusted correctly, tackled the hills of Oak Ridge, Tennessee without fuss or frippery, just worked. Saved me from hopping up a lot of hills.

They had a 38 tooth option as well but I think the only Suntour gear that could handle it was the AG. I've got one of those 38's somewhere

the Suntour RD capacities
SunTour Catalog No 59 - Page 8

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...858af43979.jpg

Here is the 14-34 Suntour Perfect that came on my Grand Jubile. That Cyclone GT shifted across that range very nicely. I've since switched to a different freewheel. Chainrings are 52/40.

EDIT
That is a 32, not a 34. Duh. :o
The 14-34 Suntour I had was on a Raleigh that had a V-GT Luxe. It worked great.
Sorry for my erroneous info.
Carry on.

There's always this:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2385366234.jpg