Success! Neos Derailleur Replacement with Adapter
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Success! Neos Derailleur Replacement with Adapter
I'm not the greatest bicycle mechanic, but I managed to replace the broken Neos compact rapid rise derailleur on my 7-Speed Dahon Boardwalk with a conventional Shimano unit. I had fitted a wider spread of rear gears and the Neos couldn't handle it...especially the small 11-tooth cog.
First I ordered a Litepro derailleur hanger/adapter from Ali Express, just $13. I had originally ordered a similar part for $30 from Tern thinking it would be better quality since they stamp their name on it, but they cancelled the order a few days later due to insufficient stock.
Next I installed the adapter and drove the bike to the co-op so one of the mechanics could see the gears and help me pick out a capable derailleur which ended up being a used Shimano 8515 for $5. I also picked up a new shifter cable and longer cable housing and a new chain All in all about $36.
I screwed on the new derailleur and connected the new cable and sheath. Then I installed the new chain and sized it which was a first for me. I had replaced chains many times, but was always able to use the old chain to match for size. The Park Tools Youtube video series is very helpful. I referred to it again to adjust the derailleur settings, which I had done before a couple of times on this and other bikes.
And son-of-a-gun it works!
I have a 7-speed indexed Shimano thumb-shifter that I use on the right side of the bull-bars i Installed, except now it shifts in the opposite direction. With the original rapid-riser style Neos derailleur 1st gear was with the lever pointing towards me, with 7th pointing forward. Now first is forward and seventh points back towards me. I mis-shifted quite a few times on the first ride yesterday, but I'm sure my brain will adjust. I have 5 bikes with four different shifter types (brifters, downtube, bar-end and thumbies) and I seem to keep them straight for the most part. (I also used to have rapid-fire on my MTB before converting it to drop bars).
Total cost for the project was just under $50.
Here's some pics, including my combination bicycle work station/out-door grill.
Happy riding/grilling!
First I ordered a Litepro derailleur hanger/adapter from Ali Express, just $13. I had originally ordered a similar part for $30 from Tern thinking it would be better quality since they stamp their name on it, but they cancelled the order a few days later due to insufficient stock.
Next I installed the adapter and drove the bike to the co-op so one of the mechanics could see the gears and help me pick out a capable derailleur which ended up being a used Shimano 8515 for $5. I also picked up a new shifter cable and longer cable housing and a new chain All in all about $36.
I screwed on the new derailleur and connected the new cable and sheath. Then I installed the new chain and sized it which was a first for me. I had replaced chains many times, but was always able to use the old chain to match for size. The Park Tools Youtube video series is very helpful. I referred to it again to adjust the derailleur settings, which I had done before a couple of times on this and other bikes.
And son-of-a-gun it works!
I have a 7-speed indexed Shimano thumb-shifter that I use on the right side of the bull-bars i Installed, except now it shifts in the opposite direction. With the original rapid-riser style Neos derailleur 1st gear was with the lever pointing towards me, with 7th pointing forward. Now first is forward and seventh points back towards me. I mis-shifted quite a few times on the first ride yesterday, but I'm sure my brain will adjust. I have 5 bikes with four different shifter types (brifters, downtube, bar-end and thumbies) and I seem to keep them straight for the most part. (I also used to have rapid-fire on my MTB before converting it to drop bars).
Total cost for the project was just under $50.
Here's some pics, including my combination bicycle work station/out-door grill.
Happy riding/grilling!
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#2
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hi BobbyG, You replied in my thread describing a 7speed Bickerton rear freewheel/cassette upgrade.
You never mentioned (If I'm not mistaken) if it was freewheel or cassette in Your case. 11-38 sounds more like a cassette..
You never mentioned (If I'm not mistaken) if it was freewheel or cassette in Your case. 11-38 sounds more like a cassette..
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7 speed is freewheel, not cassette...
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Last edited by tds101; 02-17-24 at 05:25 PM.
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not so obvious as You might think.
Read this thread. https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...l#post23156348
Read this thread. https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...l#post23156348
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If you're still confused about it, ask in the CycleChat forums...
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#6
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OP: I did the same two years ago in order to fit a double crank. I didn't know I could find a derailleur hanger, but I just used a Shimano Tourney TX 6/7 speed derailleur with integral claw-mount that goes under the axle nut, mid (GS) cage length, works great, $13 new. Vast improvement in shifting, and bonus of the gripshift now working in the correct direction. Just labeled wrong now, no problem. 11-30 cassette, I left a little more chainlength than I needed to, in case I upgrade to 11-34:
Last edited by Duragrouch; 02-17-24 at 04:26 AM.
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The rear wheel on my Boardwalk is not the original wheel. The original wheel used a gear cassette. The replacement wheel uses a freewheel and that's what I bought. Sorry for any confusion.