Bicycle Mechanics - Replacing my rear derailleur, need assistance!! =)

So, I'm looking to replace the original rear derailleur that's on my 1989 Schwinn World Sport. The one that's on there now is the SunTour 3040 AccuShift rear derailleur.

On the bike I have a 6-speed freewheel (14, 15, 17, 20, 24, 28T). The rear shifter is indexed (an old stem mounted SunTour 3040 AccuShift shifter) and on the crankset the chain rings are 40 and 52T.

For front derailleur, on the bike I have a Shimano Sora FD-3400 double (the stem mount shifter for the front derailleur is non-indexed).

With that info, can anyone point me in the direction of a compatible rear derailleur? I'm not really looking to spend more than 30 bucks.

All the help is much appreciated. Thanks guys and gals!

ebay. You could try a Shimano replacement, but Shimano derailleurs do not always play nice with Suntour indexing. I currently have Suntour indexed bar cons with a Shimano Light Action RD on my Miyata, but I would not recommend it. An Accushift RD sold on ebay a couple of days ago for $7.50 plus $5 shipping. That was a great deal!

You will need to be patient if you are looking for a Suntour Accushift at a low price. Or if you are like me, I would pull out a Shimano RD and try it (I have a box of RDs). But I would not spend money on a Shimano RD as it probably is not going to cooperate with the Suntour levers.

Yeah, I think I would actually rather upgrade to a newer rear derailleur anyway. Just not sure which one will work well with the old SunTour shifters. But, if I could tweak one out to have them work nicely together, it'd be better than the old SunTour derailleur!

If i was you i would turn the key of the indexing and i would leave that as friction, suntour friction rocks big time, that will allow you to put any RD you want in there. Campagnolo, shimano... road, mtb.

Real man uses friction! :p

If i was you i would turn the key of the indexing and i would leave that as friction, suntour friction rocks big time, that will allow you to put any RD you want in there. Campagnolo, shimano... road, mtb.

Real man uses friction! :p

haha, i've actually thought about doing that. but, as MANLY as i am, friction shifting with a 6 speed freewheel is hairy for me. if i do decide to do that, i'll just have to buy a spoke guard as big as my rim. :P

If you properly adjust the limiting screws on the RD, you won't need a spoke guard of any size/kind. Friction shifting takes little getting used to.

Jon Z.

If you properly adjust the limiting screws on the RD, you won't need a spoke guard of any size/kind. Friction shifting takes little getting used to.

Jon Z.

Haha, I know that. It was just a corny joke. Any suggestions on RDs that will work without having to use friction shifting?

There are no newer deraileurs that index to Sun Tour except Sun Tour. The 3040 was one of the better Sun Tour indexed ones out there so if it works don't change it. It was also one of the last Sun Tour designs. Newer is not always better. . Roger

Only a 6 speed Suntour will work reliably in index mode. It will need to have capacity for 28 teeth and if used (most likely) will need to be in good shape, not overly worn or damaged/bent.

thanks everything for the info! I think I'll just end up keeping the SunTour derailleur. I'll just take it off, give it a good cleaning and it'll be like new! =)