Classic & Vintage - Vintage derailleurs for wide range?

Hi there,

I am piecing together parts for a touring/Randonne bike and was hoping to do a vintage build. I am thinking of an 8 or 9 speed rear, with a big granny, and a wide range double up front. I have a bit of a thing for Suntour, but am open - are there any vintage-ish derailleurs up to the task?

TIA

John

I like the Huret DuoPar or EcoDuoPar. Not pretty, and seemingly not sturdy, but I think they work just great. As good as a late '90s Campy Racing T long cage I have. They're only good for friction shifting, however. I've used it from 13-26 with a compact and a 52/42/30 triple to 13-34 with a compact, and it handles those always with aplomb, you just have to provide enough chain length. A huge range and wrap capability.

I've tried a Gen 2 Campy Rally and a long cage Shimano 600 6207 series, and neither of those perform anywhere near the Huret.

Kudos for old French funkiness and great engineering!

Suntour long-cage derailleurs are widely appreciated and should handle most any gear range you throw at them. The Cyclone and GT Luxe series are two that come to mind.

SunTour VG-T Luxe would be the classic choice.

Neal

The long-cage version of the Simplex SLJ 5500 or 6600 would also be an excellent choice, IMO.

Long-Cage Suntour Arx is also a contender.

Just so happens I've got a very nice VGT-Luxe that is not being used at the moment. PM me if you're interested.

The long-cage version of the Simplex SLJ 5500 or 6600 would also be an excellent choice, IMO.

That's what I'm looking for.

Is the VG T Luxe better than the Cyclone?

Shimano Crane GS?

Just get some 1/8" aluminum and a hack saw and a tap (or is it a die);
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll299/sailorbenjamin/IMG_0903.jpg

Second on the Crane GS, the one on my SS shifts like a dream. Almost has that same "can't feel the shift" as an index derailleur set on friction.,,,,,BD


I recently found a short cage Crane, a month or so ago. First one I've ever seen?

I can't recommend this:

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/30592/2137752670068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2137752670068014369EjuFsL)

Just get some 1/8" aluminum and a hack saw and a tap (or is it a die);

Mmmm...spare Record pulley cage.



I can't recommend this:


So you finally admit to riding that PX-10 of yours? ;)

-Kurt

I am thinking of an 8 or 9 speed rear, with a big granny, and a wide range double up front.
The vintage wide range derailleurs I knew could barely handle 5 speeds, let alone 8 or 9.

Is the VG T Luxe better than the Cyclone?

Lower in the Sun Tour lineup, but will work just as well. The Cyclone will be lighter and prettier, but that's about it.
Back in the day when your Simplex Prestige plastic RD packed it in you replaced it with a V Luxe/ GT Luxe and were happy.
Top

Back in the day when your Simplex Prestige plastic RD packed it in you replaced it with a V Luxe/ GT Luxe and were happy.
Top

Quite often, you didn't wait that long and had the LBS make the swap before taking delivery.

Mmmm...spare Record pulley cage.




So you finally admit to riding that PX-10 of yours? ;)

-Kurt

I've ridden it some. The sloppy NR shifting takes the fun out of it. I want to try one of the late model Campagnolo mid-cage derailers. It only needs to handle a 30 tooth difference.

I've ridden it some. The sloppy NR shifting takes the fun out of it.

If you can borrow one to try out, give a first-gen Campagnolo Rally a try.

-Kurt

If you can borrow one to try out, give a first-gen Campagnolo Rally a try.

-Kurt

They don't have a reputation for shifting well, but if you say so I'd be willing to try it.

What I have in mind is an indexing derailer that shifts like an indexing derailer does when run in friction mode. I bid on a couple of Campagnolo Racing Triples recently. The Chorus with the a/b setting looks good, too. I also bid on a gorgeous Euclid. I'll keep trying.

The Suntour Mountech was a worthy replacement for the Huret Duopar. I found it to be as smooth-shifting as the much-touted Huret. Too bad their top pulley-wheel had a nasty tendency to burst apart - sending machine & rider flying instead of biking.

Still have the (unexploded) Mountech in near-new condition.

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp323/nagognog/IMG_0445.jpg

I would vote for almost any wide-range SunTour unit.

What I have in mind is an indexing derailer that shifts like an indexing derailer does when run in friction mode.

Suntour Superbe with a long cage added to it.

-Kurt