Experimenting with drivetrain
#1
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
Experimenting with drivetrain
The suntour Vx-GT will do amazing stuff if 7 speeds is enough. I have odd tastes in cassettes and am experimenting for a future bike build. Current idea is
13-14-16-18-21-28-36. I was wondering what derailleur I would need. Since I have several Vx-GTs I thought I'd give it a shot. Man it just worked perfectly!

7 speeds and the truth right here.

No issue at all climbing this on a 1971 Raleigh professional.
13-14-16-18-21-28-36. I was wondering what derailleur I would need. Since I have several Vx-GTs I thought I'd give it a shot. Man it just worked perfectly!

7 speeds and the truth right here.

No issue at all climbing this on a 1971 Raleigh professional.

Likes For 52telecaster:
Likes For fender1:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Germany
Posts: 1,036
Bikes: 80s Alan Super Record, 79' Somec Special, 90s Rossin(?) Columbus Ego Triathlon, previously: Bianchi SBX Reparto Corse (stolen) and so on...
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 364 Post(s)
Liked 752 Times
in
578 Posts
So its like Shimano Megarange, just beats that? Cool experiment

Likes For Lattz:
#4
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 6,044
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1941 Post(s)
Liked 2,168 Times
in
1,434 Posts
There is no better cheap derailleur ever made to rival the shiny cheapness of the VXs.
Amazing little guys.
Amazing little guys.
__________________
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, 1996ish Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe (most not finished of course), 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba...I...am...done....
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, 1996ish Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe (most not finished of course), 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba...I...am...done....
Likes For jdawginsc:
#6
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
#7
Senior Member
What chain ring(s) do you have up front?
#8
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
Likes For 52telecaster:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,287
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1086 Post(s)
Liked 1,197 Times
in
696 Posts
So is your chainline inboard a little bit compared to what is considered normal? Curious for the details since your gearing experiments are consistently interesting and mirror what I need in the hills where I live. Thanks!
Likes For noobinsf:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Austin,Texas
Posts: 802
Bikes: 73 Super Sport, 86 Tempo, 86 Peloton, 87 Super Sport, 83 Peugeot PFN10, 76 Super Course MK IV, 94 Univega Alpina 5.5
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
33 Posts
I love this setup. Suntour VX-GT is the best. I would love to read more about how you built this freewheel.
Please show us your Crankset, Chainrings and FD also.
Please show us your Crankset, Chainrings and FD also.
Likes For vonfilm:
#11
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
Yeah the granny will be as close to the frame as possible.
#12
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
Just in the experimental stage but the cassette is cobbled together from a 7 speed cassette and spacers with cogs from other cassettes. Since it's friction shifting there is wide latitude for using different cogs.
Likes For 52telecaster:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,810
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 120 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4133 Post(s)
Liked 3,103 Times
in
2,019 Posts
The amazing thing is that my SunTour (and very Japanese; I presume JIS) Supberbe shifters work well with no modifications on a later, 9-speed Campagnolo (I resume ISO) drivetrain. I don't know how that happened but I'll take it.
Likes For 79pmooney:
#14
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 754
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes.
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 647 Times
in
306 Posts
The Suntour Vx-GT RD works really well with the Racheting Power Shifters. I put those together on one of my wife's bikes and she really likes the combo.
Likes For daverup:
#16
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
Likes For 52telecaster:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,507
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1056 Post(s)
Liked 387 Times
in
272 Posts
Huret Duopar with its unique 2 stage pulley cage could handle a spread like this I believe. I got rid of my eco-duopar since that upper pulley squealed for lack of lube and I could find no way to service it.
Likes For masi61:
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,744
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 571 Post(s)
Liked 918 Times
in
473 Posts
Good to know, Thanks!
Tim
Tim
Likes For tkamd73:
#19
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
I have an eco but it's a bit rarer so I'd rather not use it. Great derailleur though.
#20
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,387
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2503 Post(s)
Liked 1,396 Times
in
789 Posts
It's amazing how "right" Suntour got it 50 years ago.
We don't see a lot of the "show your favorite derailleur for touring" or whatever threads these days- but the V-GT Luxe was THE dominant RD for 15 or so years- up until the M730 XT units- and might even have more range than those SGS units.
We don't see a lot of the "show your favorite derailleur for touring" or whatever threads these days- but the V-GT Luxe was THE dominant RD for 15 or so years- up until the M730 XT units- and might even have more range than those SGS units.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Likes For The Golden Boy:
#21
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,366
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1270 Post(s)
Liked 985 Times
in
651 Posts
I am not surprised that this works well, since 14-34 was a very common Nishiki 5-speed freewheel during the 1970s, and the SunTour VGTs of the day handled it with aplomb.
What really surprised one of my coworkers was that the old VGT I gave him worked well on his daughter's indexed Shimano 7-speed setup, better than the original Shimano she had destroyed in a crash.
What really surprised one of my coworkers was that the old VGT I gave him worked well on his daughter's indexed Shimano 7-speed setup, better than the original Shimano she had destroyed in a crash.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Likes For John E:
#22
ambulatory senior
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,757
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1759 Post(s)
Liked 2,866 Times
in
1,340 Posts
I am not surprised that this works well, since 14-34 was a very common Nishiki 5-speed freewheel during the 1970s, and the SunTour VGTs of the day handled it with aplomb.
What really surprised one of my coworkers was that the old VGT I gave him worked well on his daughter's indexed Shimano 7-speed setup, better than the original Shimano she had destroyed in a crash.
What really surprised one of my coworkers was that the old VGT I gave him worked well on his daughter's indexed Shimano 7-speed setup, better than the original Shimano she had destroyed in a crash.
#23
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,387
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2503 Post(s)
Liked 1,396 Times
in
789 Posts
I am not surprised that this works well, since 14-34 was a very common Nishiki 5-speed freewheel during the 1970s, and the SunTour VGTs of the day handled it with aplomb.
What really surprised one of my coworkers was that the old VGT I gave him worked well on his daughter's indexed Shimano 7-speed setup, better than the original Shimano she had destroyed in a crash.
What really surprised one of my coworkers was that the old VGT I gave him worked well on his daughter's indexed Shimano 7-speed setup, better than the original Shimano she had destroyed in a crash.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Likes For The Golden Boy:
#24
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 6,044
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1941 Post(s)
Liked 2,168 Times
in
1,434 Posts
Get rid of effect of cable stretch?
__________________
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, 1996ish Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe (most not finished of course), 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba...I...am...done....
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1980s Vanni Losa Cassani thingy, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981? Faggin, 1996ish Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe (most not finished of course), 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba...I...am...done....
Likes For jdawginsc:
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 12,485
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 245 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3928 Post(s)
Liked 4,874 Times
in
2,856 Posts

Likes For merziac: