Bicycle Mechanics - Alivio RD on friction shift road bike?

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godspiral
05-30-07, 11:50 AM
What are my options in replacing an old (80s) suntour RD to be used with friction shifters?
I have a 6 speed freewheel, 28t max cog size. Will low end MTB derailleurs work? Shimano Alivio and C201 are 8 speed. Shimano C050 is 7 speed.

well biked
05-30-07, 12:01 PM
What are my options in replacing an old (80s) suntour RD to be used with friction shifters?
I have a 6 speed freewheel, 28t max cog size. Will low end MTB derailleurs work? Shimano Alivio and C201 are 8 speed. Shimano C050 is 7 speed.


With friction shifting, you'll be good to go, the only limitation will be the large cog capacity of the derailleur and the chain wrap capacity. Any mountain bike derailleur, old or new, will work fine. Most any "road" derailleur would do fine also with a 28t large cog; again, you'd just need to make sure you've got the chain wrap requirement covered (long vs. short cage).........And derailleurs don't have "speeds," the "speeds" are in the cassette or freewheel and shifters-:)
TimJ
05-30-07, 12:14 PM
Yes. I put an alivio on an old nishiki that was a 10 speed, changed to 14 with a 7 speed freewheel w/ 32(?) big cog. Works fine, covers all the cogs.

acorn_user
05-30-07, 05:30 PM
Alivio should be fine. They are much nicer looking than the lower end C series ones too. I snapped a C101 and an old Altus. The new Altus looks much sturdier. Expect to see an improvement in shifting too!