Modern replacement for vintage derailluer?
08-02-20, 11:29 AM
#1
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Modern replacement for vintage derailluer?
Hi All - today my Suntour GT derailleur on my Dawes Galaxy got all sorts of bent up. I'm supposed to go on a week long bikepacking trip next week with the bike in question, and rather than try to straighten this thing out I'd like to replace it with something newer. Unfortunately, I don't know much about modern derailluers, so I'm looking for a recommendation.
- Robustness would be valued over lightness
- Needs to work with friction shifters - Suntour barcons specifically
- Needs to work with a 5 speed cassette
- Available with Amazon Prime shipping would be great
Would something like this Altus mountain bike derailluer work? Could I use my existing hanger with it?
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-RDM31...dp/B000FFGTK0/
Other suggestions would be gratefully welcomed.
- Robustness would be valued over lightness
- Needs to work with friction shifters - Suntour barcons specifically
- Needs to work with a 5 speed cassette
- Available with Amazon Prime shipping would be great
Would something like this Altus mountain bike derailluer work? Could I use my existing hanger with it?
https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-RDM31...dp/B000FFGTK0/
Other suggestions would be gratefully welcomed.
08-02-20, 11:52 AM
#2
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I would guess that Altus would likely work as 5-speed friction shifting isn’t asking much. You would have to deal with transferring or finding a hanger claw as your bike does not have a brazed-on RD hanger, and you’ll also need a chain tool to remove the old RD.
08-02-20, 11:55 AM
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08-02-20, 11:59 AM
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That RD is a good one for your purposes. Massive capacity, and while not light, has a reputation for being solid.
08-02-20, 12:01 PM
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That derailleur may be salvageable. It looks like the hanger is rotated up. If you loosen the quick release and straighten the hanger to align with the dropout, does the derailleur now line up and work properly?
08-02-20, 12:07 PM
#6
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You could probably get anything (new, old, used) in a middle or long cage and it would work fine for 5s friction shifting. Chances are real good you could reuse the hanger you have there on your suntour. Just check it to make sure it isn't bent and that it is threaded then just remove the suntour and install the new one.
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08-02-20, 12:10 PM
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The good thing is that every derailleur works with friction shifters! Only questions are - does the shifter pull enough cable? If the shifter pulls a lot, do you have the manual dexterity to select the cog you want?
In a pinch, you can run a derailleur that takes too my cable pull and simply not be able to get into low (or tighten the cable so you no longer have high). Derailleurts with fricton shifting are very forgiving, Nothing bad is going to happen.
I love friction shifters. I use downtube shifters since I don't tour and don't have the loaded bike shifts to make and I know how.. Love em' a little more every time I change a derailleur.
In a pinch, you can run a derailleur that takes too my cable pull and simply not be able to get into low (or tighten the cable so you no longer have high). Derailleurts with fricton shifting are very forgiving, Nothing bad is going to happen.
I love friction shifters. I use downtube shifters since I don't tour and don't have the loaded bike shifts to make and I know how.. Love em' a little more every time I change a derailleur.
08-02-20, 12:19 PM
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I have had good luck with the SunRace RD M10 rear. Its cheap and looks the vintage part and comes in a Claw hanger option but I see Amazon is currently out. Ebay might have them
08-02-20, 12:53 PM
#9
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Thanks, all. I pulled the trigger on that Altus derailleur and a new hanger. Old derailleur is already off, and my chain is having a nice bath in the ultrasonic cleaner.
08-02-20, 12:58 PM
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That cage is steel, isn't it? If it's bent, you find out the reason it got bent and try not to do that again. Then you bend it back in place.
#steel_is_real ... bendable
#steel_is_real ... bendable
08-02-20, 01:30 PM
#11
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That cage is steel, isn't it? If it's bent, you find out the reason it got bent and try not to do that again. Then you bend it back in place.
#steel_is_real ... bendable
#steel_is_real ... bendable
08-02-20, 01:35 PM
#12
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08-02-20, 01:42 PM
#13
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When I got the bike it was bent. When the bike fell over last year while loaded with full panniers, it got bent again. Today it got bent for an unknown reason - maybe caught it on something when getting the bike off a hook on the wall. In any event at this point the pulleys aren’t coplanar and the cage ain’t looking good.
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08-02-20, 05:24 PM
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I totally understand wanting to get something now- with as little fuss as possible to feel good about getting under way with the tour.
The last thing you want is to doubt your equipment. You need confidence your stuff isn't going to fail.
But I would suggest when you get back- a Suntour V-GT Luxe should be in your future.
The last thing you want is to doubt your equipment. You need confidence your stuff isn't going to fail.
But I would suggest when you get back- a Suntour V-GT Luxe should be in your future.
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08-02-20, 05:33 PM
#15
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The Altus should work great. Besides, it's Grant Petersen approved. 
I hope the current chain is long enough.
I hope the current chain is long enough.
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08-02-20, 07:30 PM
#16
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The Altus should work great. Besides, it's Grant Petersen approved.
I hope the current chain is long enough.
I hope the current chain is long enough.
