What should I do with this derailleur?
08-11-09, 10:11 AM
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What should I do with this derailleur?
I recently bought a used bike (Motobecane Super Mirage) that has a screwed up rear derailleur. It looks like it was improperly installed, or bent, and the upper wheel (is this the correct term?) has been damaged by the chain. I just pulled it off the bike and took some pictures:
This is the first time I've ever looked closely at a derailleur so I'm hoping to get some advice on the best course of action. From what I've read, this derailleur (Suntour VX) is fairly decent and so I'd like to try to save it if possible. Looking at eBay, it seems I'd have to spend $25 or $30 to replace it and I'd rather not spend that much if I can avoid it.
The upper wheel is not completely immobilized but its teeth are pretty worn down and it doesn't spin as well as the lower wheel does. Can I buy and install a replacement derailleur wheel? Can you tell from the pictures whether the derailleur itself is bent out of shape? Should I throw this derailleur in the garbage or should I work on it?
This is the first time I've ever looked closely at a derailleur so I'm hoping to get some advice on the best course of action. From what I've read, this derailleur (Suntour VX) is fairly decent and so I'd like to try to save it if possible. Looking at eBay, it seems I'd have to spend $25 or $30 to replace it and I'd rather not spend that much if I can avoid it.
The upper wheel is not completely immobilized but its teeth are pretty worn down and it doesn't spin as well as the lower wheel does. Can I buy and install a replacement derailleur wheel? Can you tell from the pictures whether the derailleur itself is bent out of shape? Should I throw this derailleur in the garbage or should I work on it?
08-11-09, 10:44 AM
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replacement jockey wheels are available.
the damage on the jockey wheel was caused by the chain falling off it. this is probably due to the derailer being bent. you can see in the 4th pic that the cage is bent (not badly, and this can be straightened), and it is no longer parallel to the body of the derailer. my suggestion would be to replace the body.
if you have a LBS close by, bring it over to them: they might have the der you need. i know that at my shop, i have the exact same derailer with a bent cage. after getting replacement jockey wheels, you could straighten your cage (siince it's not terrible), and attach it to the body of another suntour vx. keep in mind that when these ders were being made, suntour was making them with the suntour brand on it, as well as raleigh and fuji, to name a few (the vx at my shop is branded fuji, but suntour's branding is clearly visible on the front knuckle)/
that being said, a brand new shimano acera or alivio rear der should set you back 25-35 bucks (not counting labour), and those perform so much better than what you have.
the damage on the jockey wheel was caused by the chain falling off it. this is probably due to the derailer being bent. you can see in the 4th pic that the cage is bent (not badly, and this can be straightened), and it is no longer parallel to the body of the derailer. my suggestion would be to replace the body.
if you have a LBS close by, bring it over to them: they might have the der you need. i know that at my shop, i have the exact same derailer with a bent cage. after getting replacement jockey wheels, you could straighten your cage (siince it's not terrible), and attach it to the body of another suntour vx. keep in mind that when these ders were being made, suntour was making them with the suntour brand on it, as well as raleigh and fuji, to name a few (the vx at my shop is branded fuji, but suntour's branding is clearly visible on the front knuckle)/
that being said, a brand new shimano acera or alivio rear der should set you back 25-35 bucks (not counting labour), and those perform so much better than what you have.
08-11-09, 11:04 AM
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Based on the 3rd and 4th pictures it looks like the cage is bent. You should be able to straighten it, if you are careful.
Al
Al
08-12-09, 01:50 PM
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Thanks for the advice, guys.
My LBS sold me an old jockey wheel from their parts bin for $2. I replaced the wheel and bent the hanger a little bit. The bike's running great!
My LBS sold me an old jockey wheel from their parts bin for $2. I replaced the wheel and bent the hanger a little bit. The bike's running great!
