A choice of components. Cyclone vs Shimano
08-29-06, 04:14 PM
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A choice of components. Cyclone vs Shimano
I'm building up a new bike for my brother, mostly from components i have in the parts bin, and I'm trying to decide which deraileurs to use. My choices are either suntour cyclone, or shimano light action. I haven't ridden a bike with either of them, as the suntour came on a frame I bought and they were replaced in the build-up, and the shimano are on a bike that I'm getting to strip into a fixed gear. I've heard good things about the cyclones and that some people prefer them to superbe. But how are the light action shimanos? The shimanos appear to be newer, but with a bit of cleaning, i think the cyclones would look pretty nice too.
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08-29-06, 05:35 PM
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I think the cyclone is much better than the newer light action.
IIRC light action were shimano's first attempts at indexing?
I had cyclone on one of my bikes, wonderful components.
Suntour gets way too little buzz around here.
Keep the suntour, flip the shimano light action.
marty
IIRC light action were shimano's first attempts at indexing?
I had cyclone on one of my bikes, wonderful components.
Suntour gets way too little buzz around here.
Keep the suntour, flip the shimano light action.
marty
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08-29-06, 05:58 PM
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I know the shimanos are friction. But you're probably right about the suntour.
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08-29-06, 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by sivat
I know the shimanos are friction. But you're probably right about the suntour.
08-29-06, 06:14 PM
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Cyclone...the older models are my preference. Basically a stripped down Superbe. Like their looks.
08-29-06, 06:23 PM
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IIRC light action were shimano's first attempts at indexing?
I'd go with Light Action over Cyclone, or a mix of the two.
Shimano Light Action RDs are not high, high-end, but are very nice in one respect - the RD pinch-bolt is mounted on a spring, allowing for a complete pull of the shifter lever to be done while stopped (very convinent when you're using indexed Shimano shifters instead of Light Action shifters) or when shifting from the small cog to the large. The spring takes up the tension in the cable until the chain is able to shift up the cluster.
Personally, I'd outfit the machine with the Light Action RD if he'll be running with Shimano indexed shifters, or Suntour Cyclone if he'll be running friction. I would suggest using Shimano Light Action racheting levers if he'll be running a Cyclone in friction though - the original Cyclone friction levers are garbage.
-Kurt
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08-29-06, 07:35 PM
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In my opinion, the Light Action were very nice shifting derailleurs, comparable to Cyclone in friction mode. Their advantage is a sprung upper pivot and indexed shifting capability. Their disadvantage is weight (about 100g more than Cyclone) and reliability. The rear parallelogram arm often fails at the notch cut into it. The notch houses the pivot for a link that is attached to the return spring and provides the light action. Light Action were upper, entry level derailleurs, while Cyclone was mid range.
If you prefer indexed shifting, definitely stick with the Light Action. Of course, you'll also need the appropriate SIS shifters and freewheel. If you prefer friction shifting, go with the Cyclone.
If you prefer indexed shifting, definitely stick with the Light Action. Of course, you'll also need the appropriate SIS shifters and freewheel. If you prefer friction shifting, go with the Cyclone.
08-29-06, 09:30 PM
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The Cyclone II which graces my lowly UO-8 is the best rear derailleur I have ever owned. The Cyclone fronts I have owned are in the same league as Campagnolo.
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08-29-06, 11:11 PM
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I don't think Suntour gets too little mention; I just think that what's common among their stuff is most often the low-end garbage or mediocre mid-low level stuff. I've come across more quality vintage Campy and Shimano derailers than Suntours. I think Suntour has some very faithful owners among the vintage set, so coming across their good stuff is just a challenge.
PS How are the ARX vs. LePree (derailers), and what's the difference?
PS How are the ARX vs. LePree (derailers), and what's the difference?
08-30-06, 12:23 AM
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and reliability. The rear parallelogram arm often fails at the notch cut into it. The notch houses the pivot for a link that is attached to the return spring and provides the light action. Light Action were upper, entry level derailleurs, while Cyclone was mid range.
Last year I had a failure just like T-Mar described with the light action.
Still, the Light Actions shift so nice that I put another one on. That one failed me too just last month!
I'm back to running my standbys now - Suntour VGts and ARs (I really like the VGts abilities to deal with large cogs.)
I kept the Light Action shifters.
08-30-06, 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by sivat
I'm building up a new bike for my brother, mostly from components i have in the parts bin, and I'm trying to decide which deraileurs to use. My choices are either suntour cyclone, or shimano light action. I haven't ridden a bike with either of them, as the suntour came on a frame I bought and they were replaced in the build-up, and the shimano are on a bike that I'm getting to strip into a fixed gear. I've heard good things about the cyclones and that some people prefer them to superbe. But how are the light action shimanos? The shimanos appear to be newer, but with a bit of cleaning, i think the cyclones would look pretty nice too.
Also the Shimano has this cool "overload spring" in the cable anchorage that permits you to "preselect" downshifts, a very nice feature shared by several older Shimano models, but unfortunately no longer available.
If the Cyclone is the short cage model, it will only work with tight, close ratio clusters. The Cyclone GT would handle wide range gearing.
The Light Action's range capacity is somewhere between those two.
Sheldon "Function Over Form" Brown
08-30-06, 09:42 PM
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I've had great experience with my Suntour Cyclone F&R derailleurs (original series) for many years. They are simple, light weight and easy to adjust. However, as stated above, the Cyclone short cage needs to be matched to a small cogset. I'm currently using a 13-24 (6 gears) and it works fine. They are paired with Campy downtube frction shifters. Of course, the spring on the Shimano RD sounds like a very useful idea, too, so I doubt you'll go wrong with either pick.
Which set looks best on the bike?
Best wishes,
Drew
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P.S. to Mr. Sheldon Brown - Many, many thanks for all of your helpful info posted on your website!
Which set looks best on the bike?
Best wishes,
Drew
1976 Austro-Daimler Ultima
P.S. to Mr. Sheldon Brown - Many, many thanks for all of your helpful info posted on your website!
