Bicycle Mechanics - 7-speed shimano on Surly

Hi all, I have a couple questions. I'm getting to what I see as the most difficult part of my first build and have run into three issues.

One: My rear derailler doesn't seem like it is compatable with the mount on the Surly. It is a 7 speed shimano 105 derailler from a 1996 road bike, and I can't get the mounting bolt to thread to the frame. I've read my manual, but it doesn't give any good reason for this one. Is there some change in compatability that I don't know about when it comes to mounting a rear derailler? Hoping to draw from a little experience here if I can.

Two: My front derailler does not work on the frame so I need a new one. I have a 105 double in the front from the same road bike. I have the 105 flight deck from the old bike too. Without spending too much money, can someone recommend an okay FD? I'm really not concerned with extremely high quality, just want something functional and cheap.

Three: I bought the frame used and negotiated the brakes be left on the frame. They are Cane Creek Cantilever brakes. I have the rear brake hooked up and ready to go, but I think I'm missing a part for the front brakes. There is nothing to stop the housing before reaching the "Y". I haven't installed anything yet since I noticed this right away. Can I find this part somewhere, or do I need to buy the entire front brake? If I can find this part, can you show me where and how?

Sorry for the long post, but I thought I'd save up my questions and ask them all at once. Thanks for any help!

First question, what Surly frame do you have? some pictures of the frame and parts would help us identify the problems and find solutions.

Nearly any rear derailler should screw into the hole on nearly any rear derailler hanger. So, unless you have a Surly Steamroller or other frame designed for fixed-gear or singlespeed (without a derailler, and so doesn't have a rear derailler hanger), your rear derailler should screw into the hanger. Do other rear deraillers screw in just fine? Try stuff to see if there's a burr in the frame (unlikely given the way that rear derailler hangers are produced, though).

Given your mention of Cantilever brakes, and road bike, I'm guessing you've got a cross check. Which has a rear derailler hanger.

Btw, Shimano indexed-compatible rear deraillers may have been designed for use with certain # of speeds (and 105 was 8-speed by 1993 or 1994, I believe), but they're all compatible. So a 105 rear derailler from 1987 that originally came with 6-speed indexing has the same cable-pull ratio as modern Shimano 105 or Ultegra or XT or whatever rear deraillers. Your shifters need to match the number of cogs, but as long as you're working with Shimano indexed-compatible rear deraillers (excluding pre-9-speed Dura Ace) you don't need to worry about compatibility.

On your front derailler, I'm guessing that you had an aluminum frame (with fatter tube) before and now the Surly takes a FD with a 28.6mm clamp. Just grab a Shimano FD on eBay, make sure it has the right clamp diamter. You can get them cheaply. With double-chainring setup the front derailler adjustment and compatibility isn't too finnicky.

On your brakes, you just need a straddle cable. Can pick it up at your LBS for not too much money.

your bike shop may also have some of the shims (supplied with many shimano derailleurs) used to fit 31.8mm front derailleurs to 28.6mm seat tubes. Or am I confusing those with the 34.9/31.8mm mtb derailleurs?

- Joel

Thanks for the advice so far. I ordered a Tiagra front Der. from Ebay this morning. I figured out the front brake situation from a friend at work, and now I need to go home and figure out the rear derailler. I have a Surly Crosscheck frame, so the assumptions abover were correct. The problem I seemed to have was that the mounting bolt was too large for the hanger. I might have been wrong because I was getting a little frustrated:rolleyes: at that point in the building last night. If you have any further information that might be useful, I'd greatly appreciate it, otherwise, thanks again!

I've never heard of multiple or alternate-size mounting bolts. Anyone else?