WIDE range vintage rear derailleur options
#1
Phyllo-buster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,829
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2287 Post(s)
Liked 2,028 Times
in
1,244 Posts
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.
I really don't want to buy a new plastic anything to shift thru this cassette. I'd rather not use Huret.
#2
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,303
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3874 Post(s)
Liked 4,779 Times
in
2,204 Posts
Suntour made a 7speed XC rd for mountain bikes in the early 90s which can run in friction.
This is the XC Comp
This is the XC Comp
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 08-05-19 at 08:05 PM.
Likes For Wildwood:
#3
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,347
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1953 Post(s)
Liked 3,633 Times
in
1,670 Posts
Long cage cyclones do 34 tooth 7 speed for me.
#4
Senior Member
Likes For HTupolev:
#5
Phyllo-buster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,829
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2287 Post(s)
Liked 2,028 Times
in
1,244 Posts
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.
#7
Phyllo-buster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,829
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2287 Post(s)
Liked 2,028 Times
in
1,244 Posts
Thanks, I think I've got at least 4 Suntour GT's but I wasn't sure they'd pass the 34 tooth muster.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,742
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1136 Post(s)
Liked 649 Times
in
336 Posts
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.
#9
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
Likes For thook:
#10
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,303
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3874 Post(s)
Liked 4,779 Times
in
2,204 Posts
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.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Likes For Wildwood:
#11
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,764
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1384 Post(s)
Liked 1,293 Times
in
819 Posts
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.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Likes For John E:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 251
Bikes: 2002 Trek 800 Singletrack, 1982 Bridgestone Spica
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times
in
32 Posts
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.
Likes For Kent T:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,257
Bikes: 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Peugeot PR10, 2002 Specialized Allez, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2013 Culprit Croz Blade
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 817 Times
in
420 Posts
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.
Runs big/big with a 52t chainring all day long. This is a photo during build and set-up.
Another VGT Luxe with a 32/40/52 triple and a 34t Megarange 6 speed.
Runs big/big with a 52t chainring all day long. This is a photo during build and set-up.
Another VGT Luxe with a 32/40/52 triple and a 34t Megarange 6 speed.
Likes For Slightspeed:
#14
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,795
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
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
Likes For thook:
#15
verktyg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,035
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1980s DeRosa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA SBDU Team Pro
Mentioned: 207 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1036 Post(s)
Liked 1,236 Times
in
653 Posts
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.
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
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
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 08-06-19 at 02:43 AM.
Likes For verktyg:
#16
Phyllo-buster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,829
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2287 Post(s)
Liked 2,028 Times
in
1,244 Posts
Thanks all. I guess I was underestimating the capabilities of Suntour road derailleurs. Will report back.
#17
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,006
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
I've gotten the SunTour X-1 mountain derailleur to work with a 32T. I would imagine that it could do 34T.
#18
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,662 Times
in
2,496 Posts
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.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 251
Bikes: 2002 Trek 800 Singletrack, 1982 Bridgestone Spica
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times
in
32 Posts
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.
#20
Phyllo-buster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,829
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2287 Post(s)
Liked 2,028 Times
in
1,244 Posts
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.
#21
Senior Member
the Suntour RD capacities
SunTour Catalog No 59 - Page 8
SunTour Catalog No 59 - Page 8
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,336
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 767 Post(s)
Liked 1,897 Times
in
889 Posts
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.
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.
Last edited by BFisher; 08-06-19 at 10:49 AM.