scale

I just scored a nice old vintage Raleigh Reliant 10 speed. It is in great shape. I have pulled it all apart to clean it up and grease. I have a question. How do you know what angle the rear derailleur hanger is suppose to be at?

Im at a loss here. It appears you can i have it at all most any angle you choose. I should have paid better attention when i popped it off the rear axel. It does have the hole for the bolt that is suppose to go into the frame but my frame doesnt have that hole.

Does anyone have a picture they could post? THis particular derailleur is a Shimano 515

sorry for my ignorance here but i cant wait to get it back together and take it for a spin. It cleaned up really well.

USAZorro

This isn't a Shimano SIS derailleur, but it is a claw style derailleur, and the information about how to mount it should be rather comparable. Note how the chain routes and the position of the geared jockey wheels.

Note that this illustrates a position where the chain would be on the large ring on the front. In a more relaxed position, the bottom jockey wheel would be angled father to the rear.

scale

Thanks...that looks like it ....or at least how it should attach. I dont have that bolt that goes through the hole in the hanger. My frame doesnt have a spot for it. Do i just clamp it down with the force of the rear axle nut? That would appear to be the case. I sure wish i would have taken a picture before pulling it apart. IM afraid of not getting the angle correct with the derailer hanger while clamping it down.

Would it be a safe bet just to line up the frame drop out with the derailer drop out and tighten it up?

USAZorro

That's exactly how it should go. The only other consideration would be the line the chain would take through the pulleys.

scale

The dropouts on the freewheel side look to be spread further apart than the other side. I assume that this is normal?

If it ever warms up ill run out and clamp it down snug and run the chain back through it and see how it lines up.

Is the Raleigh Reliant a decent bike? It sure looks neat. I guess as long as i enjoy riding it ..that is all that matters. This will be my first road bike. This one sure is Vintage

For $15 i cant imagine it being a bad bike. My rear wheel is a bit out of true as well. That will be my next project.

sailorbenjamin

I don't think raleigh made any bad bikes. It's kind of important to get one the right size. check www.retroraleighs.com, there's also an article there on derailler adjusting.

scale

that is a neat old site. I dont see any Reliants on there but those sales brouches are cool. It almost makes me want to find another bike

Picchio Special

This is when you should expect to get your visit from the Ghost of Collecting Future, with it's hideous visions of maxed credit cards, bikes with stem shifters living in parts of the house intended for humans, the look on your wife's face when you explain that you just bought another one. You can stop. Right now. You can. You don't have to swerve dangerously to the side of the road at every yard sale sign accompanied by a glimmer of spokes in the Memorial Day weekend sunlight. The "need help" in your subject line need not be a prophecy. But you're not going to stop, and we both know it. Welcome.

USAZorro

I have enough competition already in Cumberland County. Make sure you stick to your home turf.

scale

hehe you guys are too much. I hear you on the collecting...ive got BMX bikes in the house.......and 3 or 4 mountain bikes. This Raleigh is my first road bike. I hope i hate it completely so i dont have to buy it a brother or a sister or both

Gotta love bikes

I think this one must be a late 70s to early 80s. It has a registration sticker from '81 on it. IM trying to figure out what year it might be or what size according to the serial number but havent been very lucky so far. Time to start hunting down that info.
Ill post back once i get the proper hanger dealy and get it off the stand and out for a spin...

10speed

I know this is an old thread but let me tell you how true it is. I bought a classic looking 10speed off a guy at work and now 5years later Ijust got rid of 35 bikes to get back to under 35 bikes (yes I've owned 70 bikes at one time). Why this threads prediction for scale is possible,if insane, that beautiful 10speed that started my addiction
a raleigh reliant. and try to find anther one

scale

not quite that bad for me yet. Ive got about 15 and try to keep it under 20

I still have my raleigh!