Classic & Vintage - Raleigh Record and Suntour U Rear Derailleur questions!

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.



PDA
dukes909
11-17-11, 09:33 AM
Hello!

I have recently inherited a 1983 Raleigh Record, all original parts that I can tell. It's in decent shape and my wife would like it as a second bike. First off is this rear derailleur:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/dukes909/Suntour%20U/th_suntourU-front.jpg (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/dukes909/Suntour%20U/?action=view&current=suntourU-front.jpg)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/dukes909/Suntour%20U/th_suntourU-side.jpg (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/dukes909/Suntour%20U/?action=view&current=suntourU-side.jpg)

A Suntour U? I can't seem to find any information on the Velobase page about it. Anyone know? Is it worth keeping, or switching to something like a Shimano Deore? (I have an extra one is why I ask).

More general question:
When fixing up old bikes like this, is there a good guide to knowing what can (er, should) and can't be replaced? Should I replace the bottom bracket with something like a new cartridge unit? How does one know what to keep and what to trash?

Cheers!

Bianchigirll
11-17-11, 10:10 AM
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a6/dukes909/Suntour%20U/suntourU-front.jpg
ctmullins
11-17-11, 10:26 AM
Weird. I built up a Raleigh for my wife last year, and it came with a (Raleigh-branded) Suntour V. Never seen a U, but the venerable Disraeli Gears site lists one: http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/SunTour_U_derailleur_%282nd_style%29.html

Pretty pedestrian derailleur, but also pretty sturdy, I'd wager. Try it and see how well it works - you might be surprised!

(Incidentally, the Suntour V on my wife's Raleigh indexes perfectly with 7-speed stuff, and your U looks like it might do the same, if that sort of thing interests you....)

Alan Edwards
11-17-11, 12:51 PM
Suntour made great RDs, steel or aluminum. The Deore will wiegh less and take up more chain but not work that much better. Rebuilding a bike is a job in cleaning and greasing. The BB that came with the bike just needs to be cleaned and greased/adjusted. I think that cup and ball BBs are better then cartridge BBs, but it depends on quality and money. For your BB buy some new ball bearings 1/4", check the cones for pits. If the cups are pitted then you get to look for a new BB.
Oldpeddaller
11-17-11, 01:36 PM
Weird. I built up a Raleigh for my wife last year, and it came with a (Raleigh-branded) Suntour V. Never seen a U, but the venerable Disraeli Gears site lists one: http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/SunTour_U_derailleur_%282nd_style%29.html

Pretty pedestrian derailleur, but also pretty sturdy, I'd wager. Try it and see how well it works - you might be surprised!

(Incidentally, the Suntour V on my wife's Raleigh indexes perfectly with 7-speed stuff, and your U looks like it might do the same, if that sort of thing interests you....)

I fitted a Raleigh branded Suntour V from a Raleigh Record in place of the old steel Sh*tm*no Tourney that was fitted to it. Awesome shifting, even with a wide range freewheel and cross-over drive with half step and granny chainwheel. DT Suntour friction ratchet band-on shifters in place of the original flat bar thumb shifters with longer cables give a really positive and smooth gear change. essential when both riders are inexperienced in tandem riding and plain un co-ordinated in pedalling together!