Originally Posted by
cyclotoine
Your best option is to try a 1980s 110BCD triple and you can use it as a compact double. There are lots of these out there (bins full of them at the used bike places around here).
First pick up a shimano HG 6 speed freewheel in the appropriate range desired and a shimano HG chain 6/7/8 speed chain. Just changing the chain and freewheel will blow you away in how smooth your shifting becomes.
Something like these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sugino-LP-Triple...mZ150283801267
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sugino-Super-Max...mZ120296114609
And how would I make it a compact double? Is it possible to dump the middle ring? That would be perfect. The first auction there could be perfect - it's even got the BB and it's in the same county as I am.
I changed out for the Suntour VGT that came with the bike, and it seems to shift better. But the thing is still REAL LOUD, and takes a lot of effort to get it in gear properly.
Ideal would be a <35 gear inch low gear, and then three usable high gears of from 80-100+ gear inches. THat is not possible on what I have. Indexed shifting would be sweet, too. I've been looking aNOS Accushift stuff on eBay and thinking of making that work, but it's tough since it only handles 23T in back.