Dolomite Fat Tire Derailleur Upgrade
#1
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Dolomite Fat Tire Derailleur Upgrade
Wife bought me a cool fat tire bike, but derailleur shifter is already kaput. I’d like to go ahead and replace it and the derailleur.
Will any old seven speed derailleur work? Or do I need to match it to sprocket cluster and/or new shifter?
thanks!
Will any old seven speed derailleur work? Or do I need to match it to sprocket cluster and/or new shifter?
thanks!
#2
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Yes, most shifter and derailer combinations will work fine. The key, really, is to ensure the shifter you buy is compatible with the derailer. There are some SRAM derailers that require a SRAM shifter because the cable pull doesn't match Shimano. But for the most part, any modern Shimano 6/7/8-speed derailer will work with any modern Shimano 7-speed shifter.
I presume this has a 14-28 freewheel on it, meaning the largest sprocket isn't all that large. Any 6/7/8-speed rear derailer will handle that fine...from a low grade Tourney up to an Acera or Alivio. 9-speed derailers usually pair well with 7-speed shifters and shift 7-speed cassettes or freewheels pretty nicely (I'm using some such combinations on my own bikes at the moment), but you'll generally have the best performance in sticking with a 6/7/8-speed derailer.
I presume this has a 14-28 freewheel on it, meaning the largest sprocket isn't all that large. Any 6/7/8-speed rear derailer will handle that fine...from a low grade Tourney up to an Acera or Alivio. 9-speed derailers usually pair well with 7-speed shifters and shift 7-speed cassettes or freewheels pretty nicely (I'm using some such combinations on my own bikes at the moment), but you'll generally have the best performance in sticking with a 6/7/8-speed derailer.
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Go with an Alivio mid or long cage derailleur and an Altus 7 speed thumb Shifter. HUGE upgrades over the stock tourney parts the bike came with. Install a new chain too.. the stock one will rust up easily and is "worn out" from the factory. KMC makes several better choices... X8 will be appropriate.
Last edited by maddog34; 11-21-22 at 01:41 PM.
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Yes, most shifter and derailer combinations will work fine. The key, really, is to ensure the shifter you buy is compatible with the derailer. There are some SRAM derailers that require a SRAM shifter because the cable pull doesn't match Shimano. But for the most part, any modern Shimano 6/7/8-speed derailer will work with any modern Shimano 7-speed shifter.
I presume this has a 14-28 freewheel on it, meaning the largest sprocket isn't all that large. Any 6/7/8-speed rear derailer will handle that fine...from a low grade Tourney up to an Acera or Alivio. 9-speed derailers usually pair well with 7-speed shifters and shift 7-speed cassettes or freewheels pretty nicely (I'm using some such combinations on my own bikes at the moment), but you'll generally have the best performance in sticking with a 6/7/8-speed derailer.
I presume this has a 14-28 freewheel on it, meaning the largest sprocket isn't all that large. Any 6/7/8-speed rear derailer will handle that fine...from a low grade Tourney up to an Acera or Alivio. 9-speed derailers usually pair well with 7-speed shifters and shift 7-speed cassettes or freewheels pretty nicely (I'm using some such combinations on my own bikes at the moment), but you'll generally have the best performance in sticking with a 6/7/8-speed derailer.
#5
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What has been said is largely true but don't put a ton of money into the bike it is a wally mart special and uses pretty poor components all over it. It was not designed to last and you could be chasing problems all over eventually which can be quite expensive vs what the bike is worth. Fine to keep it running but don't go too crazy as a full overhaul on a new bike is never something I want to do but would be pretty well required on something like this as many assemblers have never seen or heard of grease or their wallymart doesn't provide any so why bother.
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What has been said is largely true but don't put a ton of money into the bike it is a wally mart special and uses pretty poor components all over it. It was not designed to last and you could be chasing problems all over eventually which can be quite expensive vs what the bike is worth. Fine to keep it running but don't go too crazy as a full overhaul on a new bike is never something I want to do but would be pretty well required on something like this as many assemblers have never seen or heard of grease or their wallymart doesn't provide any so why bother.
#7
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What has been said is largely true but don't put a ton of money into the bike it is a wally mart special and uses pretty poor components all over it. It was not designed to last and you could be chasing problems all over eventually which can be quite expensive vs what the bike is worth. Fine to keep it running but don't go too crazy as a full overhaul on a new bike is never something I want to do but would be pretty well required on something like this as many assemblers have never seen or heard of grease or their wallymart doesn't provide any so why bother.
#9
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I would doubt that somewhat but who knows these days. I did have an old mechanic who did it for the holidays for some extra cash but sadly he moved away and I have lost touch. I would love to have asked him.
#10
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Thanks to all! I use the bike occasionally, so I won’t be upgrading much, but the derailleur upgrade is key.
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the most common issues on walmart specials? LOOSE Rear axle sets, TIGHT front axle sets, LACK OF GREASE on al the bearings, and the absolute worst chains ever sold.
and i've found a half dozen FORKS set up backwards to the Handlebars...
Last edited by maddog34; 11-22-22 at 05:15 PM.
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