The MAX

So as seen in my post here, I just got an old Colnago Sport to do up. Most of the parts are in okay condition save for the brakes and levers, and the original rear derailleur was replaced with a Suntour AR II.

So, because I'd be much happier with an indexed drive train I'm looking to swap out the derailleurs, cassette/freewheel, and shifters for something a little newer, but still late 80's early 90's.

My main concern is 7 or 8 speed. The bike currently has a 6 speed cassette on it. This means that it would fit a 7 speed perfectly (126mm), but I would have to stretch the frame a bit to fit an 8 speed (130mm).

I was looking to get either a Shimano 600 or a Shimano 105 derailleur set with downtube shifters, but the 7 speed indexed shifters seem to be not very common.

First of all, will the Ultegra 600 (tricolor era) RD work for 7 and 8 speed? Same for the 105 of the same era? I know, however, a 8 speed shifter won't work great for 7 speed.

Should I go 7 or 8 speed? 7 seems easiest due to not having to alter the frame spacing, but 8 speed parts seem to be easier to come by on ebay.


If anyone has any of these parts let me know. I've got the original modolo brakes and levers, as well as Gipiemme downtube friction shifters and front derailleur, and a Suntour rear derailleur. I know all of it is not real desirable, but I've also got $$$, so just let me know if you have some Ultegra 600 or 105 RD, FD, or shifters you wouldn't mind parting with.

tugrul

Minus pre-1997 Dura Ace mechanisms, all of the Shimano rear derailleurs from indexing groups are interchangeable.

The MAX

so you mean to say that either of these RD's will work with 7 or 8 speed? That's what I thought but I just wanted to check.

The indexing of the shifter does matter though right?

I'm reading through that article but having trouble picking out the info I need

The MAX

And I've just read that it is near impossible to get 8-speed freewheels, and if you can get them, they are not recommended.

Looks like I will be going 7 speed as I have no desire to buy a new wheel set right now.


So if anyone has 7 speed shifters, let me know!

h.newman.iii at gmail.com (i don't have 50 posts to send or respond to PM's yet so have to go through email!)

bradtx

The MAX, If you're considering a Shimano 8S set up, then you're good to go with a 9S as the rear hubs are the same...10S hubs and cassettes are a bit different. Placing a 130 mm hub into a frame spacing of 126 mm is no big deal as many of us have done so.

Brad

Bianchigirll 

I think I have a few low mile 8spd FWs around here somewhere. I agree about the brakes, I ma not a huge Modolo fan. as for the drivetrain I have a mix (like most of us) have all types of shifting and I find the friction (actually mostly retrofriction type) works great.

assuming this bike was a midlevel bike I would not go wild on DA and Campi Record. find some nice Victory brakes and scour Ebay for some Suntour Cyclone or Sprint drivetrain kits.

does your bike have a Freewheel or Cassette?

Tugrul is saying you can mix and match Shimano 6 or 7 speed parts (provided the FW or Cassette and shifter match speeds) but DuraAce wil not work with other shimano parts.

if your desperate to get rid of those GipMe parts I know a girl who may be interested.

RobbieTunes 

Good luck with the build. Decide what you want by searching for availability of parts.
Make your decision based on parts availability and how they'll work on your bike.
Seek out the parts, and get all the advice you need from here, and have fun.

Can't wait to see the finished product.

BentLink

I just stuck 8 speed 105 brifters on 105 7-speed drive train...works fine. 7-sp downtube shifters sold on e-bay--check there for more.

The MAX

Thanks for the info guys.

I've decided to go 7 speed, as I wouldn't mind stretching the frame, but it's simpler not to. The main reason was due to having to change my wheel. F that. One of the big reasons I could afford this was because the wheels were in okay enough condition that I wouldn't have to buy a new wheelset.

I agree man, I'm not going crazy on the bike or anything. Shimano 600/105 from BITD seem to be pretty common and go for good prices so I think I'll go with that.

ugh I hate the naming of these things. It's the one with the freewheel built into the cassette, not the hub. I'm pretty sure anyway...haven't taken it off yet.

Not desperate, but was hoping to sell them to fund new parts. Send her the link to thread and she can make me an offer if she likes. I prefer to ship in North America (I'm in Canada).

Almost being the key word there. lol. If I can't get 7 speed then sure, but I'm going to try to get the correct SIS shifters first. Most of the ones I'm finding on ebay are 8 speed.

Thanks again guys!

SJX426 

7S should not be a problem. I did the "Upgrade"

sharpsandflatts

I wouldnt worry about using 8 speed shifters with a 7 speed freewheel. I've run this set up on a couple of bikes with no problems. The intercog spacing is nearly identical so they index just fine. 8 speed will give you a lot more options if you want to find sti or bar end shifters.

The MAX

yeah if I get a new wheel set I might upgrade to 8 down the road.

7 Speed for now

Thanks for the pics SJX426

wrk101

+1 Let the parts you find decide for you. Personally, I would be looking for a donor bike. Assuming it has a good wheelset, I would swap the entire drivetrain: wheels, derailleurs, shifters, etc.

The MAX

Well trying to do it on the cheap, and the wheels are in good condition. It's hard to find good bikes for a decent price where I am.

Chombi

Yes, 7 speed FWs are easier to find. Lots and lots of Regina and Maillard/sach NOS 7 speed FWs to be found at eBay with the Sachs usually selling for very reasonable prices. Interesting Suntour/Gipiemme (Simplex) mixed drivetrain, not the prettiest things, but very reliable stuff.
I agree with BG about Modolo brakes, The finish quality on them is very good, but the earliest models, like the ones you have, tend to be quite flexy at the arms, but they are certainly adequate for most people on the road, as long as you don't plan to regularly bomb down mountian roads at over 70MPH. Later model Modolos have stouter, much stiffer caliper arms, but you might still consider changing out the original "sintered" pads on them to maybe "Kool Stops" for best braking performance.

Chombi

The MAX

I've got shimano 105 front and rear dual pivots on the way

The MAX

Just bought a Shimano 600 RD-6401 rear derailleur on ebay for $23 after shipping! woot.

Just have to get my FD, shifters, freewheel, chain, cables, housing, saddle and this thing is ready to roll!

cs1

8 sp shifters work OK not great. The spacing is 5mm on 7 sp and 4.8mm on 8 sp. While it's close it doesn't always work perfectly. If you buy an 8 sp cassette and loose a cog then you'll have a 7 sp with proper spacing to index perfectly with an 8 sp shifter. Good luck

The MAX

Lot's more work done on this bike! Check out the blog!