aidanpringle

Hi I'm currently in the slow process of rebuilding a steel frame bike with modern-ish stuff on it, I'm looking to purchase a new rear and front derailluer for the bike but I'm unsure of what would be compatible with the derailluer hangar and gears, the bike has a 7 speed free-wheel with shimano SL-A400 down tube shifters and a 2 speed regular crankset, if anyone could point me in the direction of the sort of RD and FD i need it would be greatley appreciated, also as this isn't my main bike and is a sort of project i don't want to spend lots on it, thanks

i hope the hanger picture helps



the bike frame is a 700c giant road steel frame

demoncyclist

Any current Shimano road derailleurs would work fine. I would probably try to find some NOS 105 derailleurs just for the flash. Tricolor 600 would be really cool too, but probably pricey.

aidanpringle

Would this be suitable https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-To...item3376978eb0 ? Thanks for the reply.

demoncyclist

That is really low end- usually a replacement for a department store bike. Look for Sora, Tiagra or 105- they will go up in price in that order. If you find a well stocked old shop, sometimes they have leftover older stuff hanging around the back room on a shelf, or something that they took off another bike because the owner really wanted Dura Ace on an older frame, and the used stuff is still in great shape.

ThermionicScott 

An old Exage MTB derailleur might be a good match, and cheaper.

FastJake

Do you have the original parts? If so, just use those. Especially the FD (FD needs to be the right clamp diameter, made for the right ring sizes, etc.)

joetheun

I have modernized a number of old bikes. As mentioned before most new stuff will work fine. Just be sure to check you tube diameters a steel frame will have skinny tubes compared to new Al & Carbon bikes. Most lower end FDs can be found with the right clamp. Or go with a braze on FD and clamp adapter to fit your bike like this https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=49306&category=530

neurocop

[QUOTE=ThermionicScott;15213409]An old Exage MTB derailleur might be a good match, and cheaper.[/QUOTE

That Exage won't work on the OP's bike, which doesn't need the RD "claw" of the Exage. His bike has a rear forged
DO/RD hanger. Any of the clawless Shimano RD's would work.

aidanpringle

this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/shimano-23...item257a00d78a ?

TugaDude

Agree that Shimano 2300 is a good option. Many are sitting out there due to being upgraded. They work fine but don't have the appeal of higher end kit. Does Scotland have Craigslist? You might put a message on there asking for good used RD's.

ThermionicScott 

It would -- the RD claw isn't a part of the derailleur. I used one of the below in order to mount the Exage to my girlfriend's Peugeot.


(not my picture)

Myosmith

Don't overlook the MTB line of Shimano derailleurs for a low cost project bike. Alivio and Deore are moderately priced with decent performance and are very reliable. My old road bike came with a short cage 105 RD so when I put an NOS DuraAce triple on it I needed a long cage RD. I found a used Deore DX at a bike co-op and it works perfectly.

aidanpringle

I have 2300 on one of my other bikes and can't fault it, especially for its price, so I will probably go with that. It does have craiglist but never seems to have bikes, let alone bike parts