KDB

I bet this has been asked many times before, but doing a search of the forums didn't produce any solid/clear answers...so, what is the difference between a short cage and long cage (or, I guess triple) RD? I am looking for a new RD for my Schwinn Traveler, but need to know this info before I can make a purchse. Also, how does this RD choice impact the FD and shifters?

Thanks,
KDB

silversmith

What cogs are you running on the rear?

If you have a 12-21 cogspread then you don't need a long cage reach both ends of the freewheel/cartride.

If you are running a 13 -34 like me, then you need a long cage rear deraileur.

KDB

Hi Silversmith, How do I tell what kind of cogspred I have? I bought the new flywheel with the new 700c wheels with the understanding from the supplier that it would work on my traveler, which it does. But no matter how I adjust the RD (Shimano "Schwinn Approved" GT120), it won't shift more than 5 cogs. BTW, I finally got the FD to work perfectly, I just need to ignore the smallest and largest of the flywheel cogs. All in all it appears that the GT120 will only work with five cogs, out of the seven on the new flywheel.

Thanks,
Kevin

pastorbobnlnh 

Kevin,

Have you adjusted the H(igh) and L(ow) screws on the RD? They are limit stops to keep the chain from jumping off and onto either your spokes or rear drop outs. Do you now have 7 cogs? Do you know the tooth counts on the largest and smallest cogs? Are you still using the stem shifters?

Yesterday I installed a first generation Shimano 600 long cage RD on my Traveler. I'm still using the orginal "tubular" Schwinn rims with the Shimano 5 cog freewheel (13-28 tooth) while it's on the trainer for the winter. In warm weather I use lightweight alloy rims off a same vintage Le Tour which has a Shimano 6 cog free wheel (12-28) tooth. All I have to do when I change rims is readjust the H and L screws.

The reason I changed from the original was to make it work with a triple crankset I also installed. The long arm can handle larger differences in cog size and take care of the chain.

How cold is it on the far side of NY? It's -1 here in NH.

Bob

KDB

Hmm, I counted the teeth on the smallest cog and there are 14 (unless I miscounted and there are 13, as with Bob's 13-28...the flywheel is Shimano). On the largest cog there are 28. So, I'm not sure where that leaves me. I've adjusted the H and L screws a dozen times. I just don't think this Derailleur has enough "reach" to move across 7 cogs. I hope I haven't boxed myself in with this flywheel. It seemed like a good purchase--2 new 700c wheels and the flywheel, tubes and tires for about $50.00 delivered from an ebay vendor.

I did get a new chain, which I installed today. It runs well and once I had it installed the FD adjusted w/o problem. The RD actually adjusts and runs well if I leave out the largest and smallest of the cogs on the freewheel. So, I guess I am making progress

The weather here in Buffalo/Niagara Falls is cold! We're in the low 20s for the high and in the teens for the lows and that's the forecast for the week. We did have a spring like 5 days and I got out 3 times, twice for decent rides of 30 miles each...Hey Bob, do you know much about Colby-Sawyer College? They have a faculty opening that looks interesting, especially given the location.

USAZorro

Have you unhooked the cable at the RD and positioned the rear shifter as far to the high position as possible, and then re-attached the cable? If it doesn't reach the smallest cog, it might be that you need to add a spacer (but this could also mean that you would need to re-dish the rear wheel), or it could be that you have a RD that just doesn't have the amount of travel that you need.

cuda2k

KDB - what rear derailleur do you have again? Shimano 400 right? If it is, it should handle a 14-28 range just fine as that was the original range of the freewheel (5 or 6 speed). If you don't have enough swing range, I suggest picking up a slightly newer rear derailleur off ebay for $10-15.

KDB

Thanks everyone! Learning all of this stuff entirely on my own would be quite frustrating.

The Rd is labeled: Schwinn Approved GT120; the FD is labeled; Le Tour (and has no other markings). I have placed the chain onto the smallest cog and largest chainring and then disconnected the cable. I then try to get the jockey pulley to align witht the smallest cog (per Sidwell's instructions), but the jockey pulley cannot move into the desired position. It just barely aligns with the second smallest cog. So, taking the second smallest cog as my starting point, I reconnect the cable, shift smoothly through the gears, but it stops shifting when I get to the second largest of the cogs. It seems like there is enough cable/pull left in the shifter to move further, but the RD won't move anymore. Adjusting the H screw does not enable the RD to reach the largest cog. So, it seems to me--unless my technique as described above is wrong--that this RD just won't do 7 cogs.

I don't plan to change the chainrings, cranks, etc. (Yea, right--I can hear you all saying--he didn't plan to change the RD either )So it seems that a short cage RD will be fine? There are plenty of the Shimano 105s on ebay at very reasonable prices. How does all of this sound?

Thanks,
Kevin

cuda2k

A 7 or 8 speed 105 derailleur will function wonderfully for you.



Here's the 7speed 105 that I used briefly on my Schwinn and will be going on a Gazelle soon. Depending on the design of your drop-out you may need to get the hanger claw that is also pictured. I got mine from loosescrews.com I think it was for like $3.00. You'll be amazed at the improvement in shifting I'd be willing to bet.