Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.
baltazar
05-07-04, 10:58 PM
I have a ‘92 Raleigh aluminum roadbike with a 7 speed cassette/down-tube shifters that I use as a commuter. It has a new 105 rear derailer and chain and it still needs a new cassette. I also have a Maruishi (Japanese) roadbike with steel frame, 6 speed freewheel, down-tube shifters, and Suntour components. I want to use the Maruishi’s steel frame and the Raleigh’s wheels and components.
Questions:
1. How can I tell if it’s possible to go to an 8 speed cassette with my freehub (Shimano 105)?
2. Can I use a Suntour 6 speed front derailer a Shimano 105 rear derailer and Shimano 7/8 speed cassette?
3. Can I use the Maruishi's cranks (Sakae brand) with a Shimano cassette?
4. Can I use a Suntour 6 speed front derailer with a Shimano 7/8 speed cassette?
5. Do you see any other issues with this frame transplant?
Brian Ratliff
05-08-04, 12:35 AM
Hey, try this for your cassette. Go and get a 9 speed shifter for the rear and a 9 speed, HG70 shimano cassette. It is important that you get the HG70 because you can unscrew the screws that hold the cog set together and take it appart. Now you take the cassette appart and remove the top (largest number of teeth) cog and spacer and install on the 7 speed hub. Now you have 8 speeds with just the the cost of new down tube shifters (about $30). I did this on my commuter and finally have an even range between my 13 and 23 tooth cogs. Be sure to use 9 speed chain and components, and be careful to set the upper limit screw of the derailler so you cannot over-shift into your wheel.
People can correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is the only way to get 8 speeds on a 7 speed hub.
As for the other questions:
2. Yes, the front derailler is pretty flexable, especially if you are using down-tube shifters.
3. Any crank set will work with any rear cassette. There may be some slight problems using 9 speed chain with 7 speed chain rings because the chain can possibly slip and get stuck between rings, but usually this is not a problem.
4. Already got this unless you meant the rear derailler, in which case it is not wise to mix a 6 speed rear derailler with a 7 or 8 speed cassette. It may not have the range.
5. It sounds very much like the rebuild I did with my commuter a couple of years ago. Be prepared to experiment a little and experience a little frustration with parts not going together properly, but by all means have at it. Once it is done, the feeling of accomplishment is great.
Two thing actually I have thought of where you may have a little trouble. One is in the frame spacing for the rear wheel. Somewhere right around the age of your Raleigh, the bike industry switched from a 125mm spacing to a 130mm. Don't worry though. Simply pull the stays apart when you install the wheel. The other is the front derailler. If the front derailler is of the clamp on type, then chances are you will not be able to use the front derailler from the Raleigh on the Maruishi.
Hope this helps.
BR