Touring - Need a recommendation for 7spd rear derailleur

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badger_biker
10-31-09, 07:28 PM
Can anyone recommend a good middle of the road Shimano 7 speed index rear derailleur? It will be for a triple and the chainrings and freewheel need to be swapped for some lower gearing. Probably looking at something similar to a 13-32 rear and 48-38-24 front.
The bike is a 1986 Trek 300 which isn't ideal for touring but should be adequate for the 1 to 2 week trips anticipated.
I'm thinking of a Deore LX or 105 but am not sure on the capacities. Any comments on what has worked for you would be great.

NormanF
10-31-09, 07:47 PM
I recommend Shimano Deore front and rear derailleur. You'll want a 42-32-22 MTB crankset. With an 11-34 cassette that should give you a low of 16". Good enough for riding up hills with a full load.
semperfi1970
10-31-09, 07:56 PM
NormanF said it for me.

Wogster
10-31-09, 09:31 PM
Can anyone recommend a good middle of the road Shimano 7 speed index rear derailleur? It will be for a triple and the chainrings and freewheel need to be swapped for some lower gearing. Probably looking at something similar to a 13-32 rear and 48-38-24 front.
The bike is a 1986 Trek 300 which isn't ideal for touring but should be adequate for the 1 to 2 week trips anticipated.
I'm thinking of a Deore LX or 105 but am not sure on the capacities. Any comments on what has worked for you would be great.

It may be tough to find a decent new 7spd dérailleur however, any 8 speed or 9 speed dérailleur should work, they may be easier to find and cheaper then a 7 speed these days. If your looking specifically at Shimano, check their website, capacities should be there.
caotropheus
10-31-09, 10:32 PM
Any long cage dérailleur will do. Shifting depends on the shifter, not the dérailleur. The dérailleur is nothing but a spring with a couple of jockeys. If you cannot find a 7 speed indexed shifter, get a friction shifter. You will be surprised with the plasticity and reliability of a friction shifter!
oldride
11-01-09, 08:25 AM
I run a 7sp setup on one of my bikes. It has a triple crankset (48-36-26) and a 12-28 cassette with 105 triple FD and 105-GS (mid cage) RD and 9sp chain. Works great. Shimano says the 105 RD will only handle a 27t cog but I have heard of folks using a 32t cog with no problems.