sloar 

Putting together my trek 660. Trying to do this on the cheap for an everyday rider. Most parts I had lying around, so far I have sugino triple crankset, modolo flash brakes, cinelli bars and stem. Still need to get barcon shifters and a front and rear derailleur. Can anyone one recommend a reliable but inexpensive 7 speed rear derailleur and a triple front? Thanks.

Barrettscv 

I'm using Shimano Deore XT derailleurs with a Sugino triple and Suntour Barcons. It performs flawlessly.


Any of these will work, but the 737 and 739 work with 6,7, & 8 speed cogsets, where the 735 is specified by Shimano for 6 & 7 speed. The later models are easier to source, also. For these reasons, I suggest the 737 and 739.


RD-735: Shimano Deore XT derailleur (M735 SGS)

RD-737: Shimano Deore XT derailleur (M737 GS)

RD-739: Shimano Deore XT derailleur (M739 SGS)

pastorbobnlnh 

I was going to say go with a Deore as well. They seem to be like the energizer bunny when it comes to older MTBs. Should perform well for years to come.

Phil_gretz

"Barcons", so you mean non-indexing? Then you can do just about anything.

If you want the rear to index, then you'll have to match compatible shifters and rear derailleurs. If Shimano, I've found that the RX100 7-speed stuff to be very functional, and there was a longer cage RD made for triples. But older Acera or Alivio stuff will index fine and have the capacity you'll need.

If non-indexing, then older SunTour matched with hyperglide type freewheels or casettes give good performance. Do you have a local co-op or community shop that has bins of old take-off derailleurs? That's always a good place to start.

I've used the SunTour X-1 on my touring bike for non-indexed 7-speed. It works fine.

sloar 

I plan on running friction, and no, no co-ops around.

turky lurkey

I just ordered a Deore long cage derailleur for my Cannondale road bike (should come in today, I'm excited!) to go along with a low geared freewheel. Regular Deore seems like it might be the best value if buying new. I'm sure lower level Shimano would work fine as well (new or used), especially for friction shifting. I like the Deore, the name helps the bike look good as well as function properly without breaking the bank too badly.

Phil_gretz

I just took a perfect 1st gen Cyclone GT (with split cage) off of a Centurion Super Elite that I'm re-building for my daughter's friend. She wanted 7-speed indexing, The gorgeous Cyclone is going on my tourer.

strock 

The Deore RDs are all great, especially the XT 735/737/739 series. MT-62s are also nice. I have AL-11s on a couple of bikes. They're basically a deerhead (M700?) RD, without the picture of the deer (and with a little less aluminum and a little more steel. Look nice, work great, and don't cost much.

Lenton58 

I am pleased with a new Shimano Tiagra — should shift 8 of anything (but check specs) and is VERY affordable. It is only a pinch away from Ultegra with 105 inbetween. And Ultegra is (IMHO) DuraAce with some few ounces added (metallurgy). The trickle- down effect of Shimano production is very rich. And what's more — with new DR's you know the spring is not tired. The above other suggestions above seem very good to me too — and I do own a nice Deore MTB RD.

oddjob2

When it comes time for resale, Deore or 105. STX is great value too.

Bianchigirll 

STX Watch the ratio on the triple front a lot the more modern ones may not handle a big ring much over the mid 40s

The Golden Boy 

The 660 is a "go fast" bike.

IMO- I'd want to emphasise "graceful" rather than "brutish." That triple kind of complicates things because of the range- so you do need a "long-ish" cage...

IMO- there's not a whole lot more graceful looking than the 1st Gen Suntour Cyclone.

I just built my 78/79 Trek "735" with a Stronglight Triple and a 6 speed rear end with a Cyclone GT RD and a Cyclone FD.

sloar 

I have a 670 that has the "go fast" parts, just wanted a different setup on the 660.

nlerner

Deore M700 or "Deerhead" group would work well.

Barrettscv 

Nothing wrong with putting a triple on a go-fast bike;

cyclotoine

hey he said inexpensive. 7s XT is no inexpensive no more unless you find a donor bike, that stuff is turning into retro gold (just like the "XT" on some of the 735 series).

To keep it inexpensive you might go for deore DX, short cage... still can be had reasonably but finding them in minty shape... well... best of luck...

vonfilm 

If you want to go vintage, I would recommend a long cage Suntour drailleur. Probably most front derailleurs would handle the Sugino triple. On my 86 Peloton I am using a SunTour Vx-GT to shift a 7 speed 14-34 Shimano Megarange. An older Dura-Ace FD is handling the Sugino triple pretty well. I am considering installing a IRD Alpina FD that I recently acquired. These are designed especially for small big ring modern triples. They are chrome and look appropriate for vintage use.

image by vonfilm, on Flickr

Here is a link to the IRD Alpina:
Front Derailleurs

It is a braze on and a clamp attachment is readily available. I believe Rivendell and Harris carry these.

jimmuller 

+1. I like my bikes to be both go-fast and go-up.

DiegoFrogs

Let me be the first heretic to recommend a new Shimano Acera.

I bought one cheap at an auto parts store here in Sweden (US$30 or so, if I remember correctly). My 1977 Cyclone GT busted permanently on my first ride here in Sweden, and I don't know exactly how to handle that yet in my new adopted country.

The thing has strong cage tension (important in a city of cobblestones), good range and it just does what it should. Mine even has a nice bolt to hold the cable end in place, unlike the weird looking nuts that I see on some otherwise identical derailleurs. I'm still using the friction barcons my bike had, but on a modern, ramped, nickel plated 8-speed MTB cassette from Sunrace and I have no complaints. Except that now the next obvious upgrade is 8-speed indexed brifters...

BradH

I'm late to the party but I'll second, third or forth (whatever we are up to) the Deore recommendation. My '88 Trek 400T has a MT-60 on it. Works like a champ. Front is a Shimano FD-Z-204 triple. It lacks bling but it gets the job done. At one time I had a newer nine speed front 105 derailleur on a seven speed bike. It worked but required more trimming than I cared for. That's something to think about since those can be cheap used, making them tempting to use. I fixed it by converting to nine speed haha.

Velocivixen

I also have Deore XT M-735 front/rear derailleurs on my '92 Hardrock. They are a nice upgrade from the 200GS that were on there. I run them in index mode but I'm sure they'd do well in friction also. I think they are really nice looking as far as mountain groups go.

The Golden Boy 

That's a REALLY nice upgrade!

Chombi

I always recommend Suntour Cyclone MkII's, but damn, they are expensive, but if you get the later Cyclones (the 2000) I think they will work just, just not as light or as pretty, but will cost a lot less than a MkII. Suntour Blue Lines are also well regarded, but don't know how much those go for these days. If your budget's really limited, a Suntour VGT will be a cost effective choice and will still work much better than most other RD's out there from other companies.

Velocivixen

@The Golden Boy - why thank you. I went to a street fair/bike swap and bought the rear from a man who teaches at United Bike Institute & he had a table of nice C & V goodies to drool over. The front was off the big auction site & I happened to be at the right place/right time on that one. It was super cheap - under $10 & pristine. Wasn't listed as "new" but not one scratch/scuff on it. I lucked out. Not to go on and on but I really, really like my Hardrock. Of all my bikes it's the most comfortable.

Of course, I had researched, ad nauseum, the models that would have been available around the same year as the bike, so as to keep era specific and "respect" the age of the bike.

Anyway, thanks.

kc0yef 

Suntour ARX