Any point changing rear derailler

[simon the viking]

My Viking has a Shimano A050 (I think thats the official title) rear mech VERY entry level (and people moan about Sora)

I don't want to up the number of speeds as I have fitted 7 speed Flightdeck brifters recently and Friday had the chain and rear cassette changed (again still 7 speed) is there any point sourcing say a vintage 105 7speed mech (available off ebay at reasonable cost) or perhaps a Tourney (I know they are really an MTB mech but have read reviews where people have fitted them to road bikes) there's nothing wrong with current mech at present it just looks cheap and nasty and I know there are smoother ones available.

Should I be happy with what I've got and leave the better mech to a better bike (looking at a new one in about 12 months) or change the mech now.

I've done about 2500 miles on it so far what's the life of a cheap mech is it going to break soon and force the issue anyway and if it does should I go down a vintage route not knowing how many miles it had done as I do about 3000 miles a year (all weather commuting)

Phew... lots of questions, thoughts and dilemmas there! Any thoughts gratefully received

 

[Peteaud]

If it aint broke, dont fix it.

 

[simon the viking]

If it aint broke, dont fix it.

I understand what you are saying, my head head says the same but......

 

[cyberknight]

If it aint broke, dont fix it.

When it breaks then replace it, otherwise save your cash towards that shiny new bike you want .

Vintage parts are all very good but what leg do you stand on if you get a lemon off ebay ?

 

[simon the viking]

When it breaks then replace it, otherwise save your cash towards that shiny new bike you want .

Vintage parts are all very good but what leg do you stand on if you get a lemon off ebay ?

I struck lucky with brifters they work a treat, a rear mech might as you say be a different matter and I think new replacements at the right money may not be much better than original. two votes for leave it alone I will worry about it if it packs up I think. (but I cant save up too fast for the new bike or the missus will think I've got too much money and cut my pocket money)

thanks for the input guys

 

[HovR]

The number of speeds advertised on the rear derailleur is largely irrelevant, you could get a modern 105 rear derailleur (or any other) if you felt so inclined and it would still work. The number of speeds is dictated by the shifter, not the derailleur.

Best to stick with Shimano though, as otherwise cable pull ratios may differ.

 

[simon the viking]

The number of speeds advertised on the rear derailleur is largely irrelevant, you could get a modern 105 rear derailleur (or any other) if you felt so inclined and it would still work. The number of speeds is dictated by the shifter, not the derailleur.

Best to stick with Shimano though, as otherwise cable pull ratios may differ.

I thought 7 and 8 were same width between cogs but 9 and 10 were different and indexing would shift it too much or too little, is it the shifters that dictate how far the derailler moves then? so a new (or nearly new) 10 speed 105 mech would work with a 7 speed cassette and shifter..... interesting just when I thought I had made my mind up to stick with what I'd got!

 

[HovR]

is it the shifters that dictate how far the derailler moves then? so a new (or nearly new) 10 speed 105 mech would work with a 7 speed cassette and shifter.....

Yep, that's correct.

 

[cyberknight]

I thought 7 and 8 were same width between cogs but 9 and 10 were different and indexing would shift it too much or too little, is it the shifters that dictate how far the derailler moves then? so a new (or nearly new) 10 speed 105 mech would work with a 7 speed cassette and shifter..... interesting just when I thought I had made my mind up to stick with what I'd got!

The shifter not the mech decides on the pull, i am currently running a "9" speed sora mech on my "8" speed shifters and cassette with no issues.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

The number of speeds advertised on the rear derailleur is largely irrelevant, you could get a modern 105 rear derailleur (or any other) if you felt so inclined and it would still work. The number of speeds is dictated by the shifter, not the derailleur.

Best to stick with Shimano though, as otherwise cable pull ratios may differ.

Would it be possible to fit a 10 speed 105 rear derailleur while still using my 8 speed 2300 shifters then? My mate's selling one for cheap.

 

[simon the viking]

Yep, that's correct.

That has helped my decision a bit as I was tempted to change before used quality 7 speed mechs became extinct. by what you say i can wait until breaks then source a really nice 9 or 10 speed or I can wait until I spot a bargain instead of grabbing the first one I see

 

[Peteaud]

I think some of the 10 speed are different.

7,8 and 9 are all ok.

Some good 9 speed stuff is available very cheaply because its "so old" !!!!

 

[smokeysmoo]

FWIW a guy at work has a Raleigh Airlite 100, (2010 I think), and the gears need fettling every single time he rides it!

I can only put it down to the cheapness of the mech, so if it were mine I'd upgrade the mech just to save the hassle of constant tinkering.

 

[Peteaud]

FWIW a guy at work has a Raleigh Airlite 100, (2010 I think), and the gears need fettling every single time he rides it!

I can only put it down to the cheapness of the mech, so if it were mine I'd upgrade the mech just to save the hassle of constant tinkering.

Mrs Auds MTB has the cheapest rear mech ever, the 7 speed Tx55 and after the initial cable stretch it has never been adjusted in over 14 months, has been ridden in all weathers and been caked in gloop.

Cheap does not mean it wont work.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Cheap does not mean it wont work.

Fair enoughski. I didn't intend to upset anyone, and I wasn't slagging off low end stuff per se, (just his).

Perhaps it's the way he rides then, but he does nothing but moan about shifting performance every time he uses it TBH.