A little problem with a Suntour Superbe GT derailleur.
02-23-20, 05:15 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142
Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times
in
182 Posts
A little problem with a Suntour Superbe GT derailleur.
I removed this from an 85 Specialized Sequoia and cleaned it up without tearing it all apart.It shifts very well
but it doesn't seem to want to go into the smallest cog.Even with the high limit screw adjusted all the way out
the cage doesn't seem to move outward far enough unless I move it with my hand. With the screw all the
way out theres a gap between where the screw and the stop is.
but it doesn't seem to want to go into the smallest cog.Even with the high limit screw adjusted all the way out
the cage doesn't seem to move outward far enough unless I move it with my hand. With the screw all the
way out theres a gap between where the screw and the stop is.
02-23-20, 06:07 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,701
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1136 Post(s)
Liked 650 Times
in
336 Posts
If you can move it with your hand it means you are most likely having a cable issue, not a derailleur issue. Is there any slack in the cable when you tighten it down at the derailleur?
02-23-20, 06:10 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142
Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times
in
182 Posts
02-23-20, 06:16 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,701
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1136 Post(s)
Liked 650 Times
in
336 Posts
After you shift up for the first time, and then try to shift back down to the smallest cog, is the cable much tighter than you initially had it (causing it to not want to shift down)? Periodically this happens to me due to accidentally pushing against the pulley cage with my hand when tightening down the cable, so that the full force of the spring isn't acting on the cable until after I tighten it down and let go of the derailleur, causing the cable tension to be much stronger than necessary
02-23-20, 06:25 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142
Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times
in
182 Posts
After you shift up for the first time, and then try to shift back down to the smallest cog, is the cable much tighter than you initially had it (causing it to not want to shift down)? Periodically this happens to me due to accidentally pushing against the pulley cage with my hand when tightening down the cable, so that the full force of the spring isn't acting on the cable until after I tighten it down and let go of the derailleur, causing the cable tension to be much stronger than necessary
02-23-20, 06:36 PM
#6
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,846
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2926 Post(s)
Liked 2,921 Times
in
1,489 Posts
Is your hanger bent?
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-23-20, 06:49 PM
#7
1/2 as far in 2x the time
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,746
Bikes: Yes, Please.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 499 Post(s)
Liked 285 Times
in
222 Posts
I removed this from an 85 Specialized Sequoia and cleaned it up without tearing it all apart.It shifts very well
but it doesn't seem to want to go into the smallest cog.Even with the high limit screw adjusted all the way out
the cage doesn't seem to move outward far enough unless I move it with my hand. With the screw all the
way out theres a gap between where the screw and the stop is.
but it doesn't seem to want to go into the smallest cog.Even with the high limit screw adjusted all the way out
the cage doesn't seem to move outward far enough unless I move it with my hand. With the screw all the
way out theres a gap between where the screw and the stop is.
02-23-20, 06:51 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142
Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times
in
182 Posts
02-23-20, 08:35 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 528
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 237 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 83 Times
in
64 Posts
Springs get weaker with use over time, and dirty, worn, or binding pivots can create additional friction. As others mentioned cables are also a concern.
02-23-20, 08:59 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142
Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times
in
182 Posts
The cables are old and I'm going to replace them. I have it shifting good while on the stand. I'll have to try it out on the road tomorrow
02-23-20, 10:32 PM
#11
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,826
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 797 Post(s)
Liked 694 Times
in
371 Posts
As others suggested, check your derailleur hanger alignment.
Also, what chain are you using? Modern chains for 8-9-10-speed systems allow more sideways flex than older chain. You could try a downgrade to a "6-speed" chain like a KMC Z33 chain- $10 to $20 online.
Also, what chain are you using? Modern chains for 8-9-10-speed systems allow more sideways flex than older chain. You could try a downgrade to a "6-speed" chain like a KMC Z33 chain- $10 to $20 online.
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
02-24-20, 01:04 AM
#12
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,182
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1562 Post(s)
Liked 1,287 Times
in
858 Posts
As already mentioned, most likely a cable friction (or tension) issue.
That said, I sometimes have trouble getting vintage derailers to move modern chain all the way to the smallest cog, typically after I change out a 5s freewheel for a 6s freewheel, where the smallest cog is now just 3-4mm from the dropout.
One adjustment you have left is to back off on the B-tension screw, to move the guide pulley closer to the cogs.
And another trick of mine is to apply a bevel to the tip of every third tooth of the 2nd-smallest cog (bevel on the outer/drive side). This definitely helps with lazy shifting.
That said, I sometimes have trouble getting vintage derailers to move modern chain all the way to the smallest cog, typically after I change out a 5s freewheel for a 6s freewheel, where the smallest cog is now just 3-4mm from the dropout.
One adjustment you have left is to back off on the B-tension screw, to move the guide pulley closer to the cogs.
And another trick of mine is to apply a bevel to the tip of every third tooth of the 2nd-smallest cog (bevel on the outer/drive side). This definitely helps with lazy shifting.
03-01-20, 03:44 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142
Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times
in
182 Posts
The problem was the derailleur hanger was bent. Everything good now.
Likes For robertj298:
03-01-20, 10:08 PM
#14
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,826
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 797 Post(s)
Liked 694 Times
in
371 Posts
Back in the pre-index era, we'd straighten bent derailleur hangers by eye with a Crescent wrench. With 7/8/9/10/11/12-speed index shifting the precision required is pretty high.
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Likes For Jeff Wills:
03-02-20, 07:24 AM
#15
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,644
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2607 Post(s)
Liked 1,696 Times
in
935 Posts
Those long cage Superbe RDs are pretty rare! Take care of it!
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
