cassette/derailleur question

[Cal44]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to get a bit of advice regarding gear cassette and if I need a new derailleur. My current cassette has some broken teeth and only holds 5 cogs. I would like to have more gear choices and not sure If the derailleur i have can cope with the higher numbers. Can anyone advise as to whether it would be possible? The only info i have is that it is a Shimano sis system. Have had the bike for approx 15 years now and to update i would be looking to get new cassette, new shifters, chain and cables and derailleur if required.

Thanks for any help and advice in advance!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

If it is a 5 speed system with Shimano SIS of that age it is most likely to be a screw on freewheel rather than a cassette. For this set up it is very easy to get parts to upgrade it to seven speed: http://www.cyclelife.com/Range.aspx?pc=2&pt=95

You will of course need a new right hand shifter as it's an indexed system. Trigger and grip shifters are the styles currently available. Both work as well as each other and which you choose will really be down to personal preference. A new shifer will come with cables so no worries there.

The derailleur you have will probably cope but I'd suggest upgrading it would be worthwhile since it's had 15 years of wear & tear. Shimano Tourney works very well for not much money: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...1_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165694_langId_-1
Note that there are two different mounts available - make sure you get the right one.

EDIT: When choosing shifters make sure that they are compatible with your derailleur. Higher spec models by SRAM use a 1:1 actuation ratio not the 2:1 that Shimano use.

I hope this helps.

 

[Cal44]

Phil,

Thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated. I think, as you say, due to age etc I will be looking to upgrade the derailleur as a matter of course.

Having had a look at the first link you have posted this does look more like the system that I currently have and will be able to change quite easily so cheers for the heads up. As for the second I had no idea which derailleur to go for so a point in the right direction is again great for me.

I've ridden bikes all my life and never changed any of this stuff before. Only ever cleaned and ridden again! I'll let you know how I get on with it once I've tried to change it all and I've no doubt I'll probably come back on with other questions once I've started!

Cheers!

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to get a bit of advice regarding gear cassette and if I need a new derailleur. My current cassette has some broken teeth and only holds 5 cogs. I would like to have more gear choices and not sure If the derailleur i have can cope with the higher numbers. Can anyone advise as to whether it would be possible? The only info i have is that it is a Shimano sis system. Have had the bike for approx 15 years now and to update i would be looking to get new cassette, new shifters, chain and cables and derailleur if required.

Thanks for any help and advice in advance!

I agree with everything Phil said, but would like to offer additional words of caution, in that it is possible for the frame to have a 120mm rear dropout spacing, while anything beyond 5 speed today requires 126mm or more, and could therefore have implications not only on frame spacing but also on the dish of the rear wheel. You should measure it before committing any purchase. If it is not 126mm please also let us know whether the frame is alloy or steel (magnetic).

Is the existing shifter on the down tube or on the handlebars? If handelbars is it a flat or drop bar bike? If downtube how is it attached? Photos might help. 5/6/7 speed indexed shifters are still available, but no longer mainstream so a bit of care in choosing might be worthwhile.

Do come back and check before ordering if you wish. Good luck!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Ah, I see the things I didn't think about until after I logged off have been addressed. I must admit in my tired state last night I jumped to the conclusion that it was a flat barred bike of some sort, which of course it might not be (hangs head in shame ).

Hopefully with the age of the bike it will have the wider axle spacing. If not, it may be possible to adjust it (hence the question above about what the frame is made of)

What make/model is the bike?

 

[Cal44]

Thanks for the additional advice, haven't purchased anything yet! Not sure of spacing size so will need to check. Shifters are on the handle bars which are flat. Technically it's an MTB but I only ever ride on the road which is why I would like to gear up a bit for more speed. Frame is most definitely steel given the weight of it.

 

[Cal44]

Oh, its a Raleigh bike!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Right - if the frame is steel the rear dropouts can be respaced gently if required. It's not generally recommended for aluminium alloy frames as it can overstress the frame which may eventually lead to it cracking.

Spacing can be easily checked by dropping out the back wheel and measuring the internal spacing between the dropouts with a ruler or tape measure.

If your aim is to up the gearing you are slightly limited with freewheels as the smallest rear cog easily available on these is 13 tooth. It may be worth looking at your front gears as well. Count the teeth to see what you already have (24-34-42 teeth is currently common on cheaper mountain bikes but wasn't necessarily 15 years ago.)
A 28-38-48 tooth chainset with a 13 to 28 tooth rear gear cluster is what I've fitted to my knockabout bike and it has turned it into a reasonable tourer at the expense of effectively loosing a gear at the low end.

If you haven't already, changing tyres is good for improving speed. A slick would be fastest if you only ride on road or a touring tyre would work well if you still want to ride rough paths occasionally.

 

[Cal44]

And the measurement turns out to be.....132mm. So looks like I shall have plenty of space for the extra gears. Do you think I could go higher than 7 with this?

Phil I am currently running a set of semi slick Continental Double Fighters as I do tend to go down some loose gravel tracks around where I live. The closest cycle route I have is national route 7 and it takes you on some paths that I personally do not think should be part of the route given that some cyclists have certain setups and may be caught out by it. But thats another story. So back to the bike.

I am starting to think that in the long term I may be better simply to fix this bike back to it's original standard with the 5 gears on the back and keeping it as the bike I use for taking my little girl out on for slow cruising, this means no new shifters etc and it would be good as a knockabout. The bike doesn't owe me anything given what I've put it through in the past. Possibility of upgrading to a bike that suits my needs as I now go for 20-30 mile cycles regularly and have in the past and intend to go on charity cycles again in the future that are 50-80 miles. I like to do it in a day as I'm not so keen to get back on and do another day in the saddle consecutively!!

This could also serve a purpose as becoming a bike that I learn things from (the old one I mean) so if I do make mistakes it's not so bad! I'm mostly thinking as I write here so apologies if I'm rambling a little as I am still a little undecided as to how I should proceed. This is mostly down to cost as I'm a bit of a tight bugger sometimes!

I'm thinking a hybrid would be best for me if I do upgrade.

 

[simon.r]

You could, in theory, go up to 10 speed on a 135mm spaced frame (which yours probably is - 3mm on a steel frame is neither here or there).

However, as you've hinted at yourself, I'd question whether it's worth spending significant money on a whole new drivetrain for a 15 year old bike that sounds as if it was at the lower end of the range when it was new.

In your position I'd be very tempted to make your existing bike serviceable as cheaply as possible and to treat myself to a new bike. You can spend pretty much what you want on a new bike, but £300 ish will get you a pretty decent one.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

132mm - excellent! That gives you a lot of options if you do decide to upgrade the bike. Simplest would be the 7 speed upgrade which will easily fit with that axle spacing. It is possible to go higher than that and 8 and 9 speed screw on freewheels do exist BUT they are a specialist item which isn't available widely and they have a reputation for bad reliability.

If you upgraded your back wheel to one with a nice reliable freehub it gives you the option of going for 8, 9 or 10 speed as Simon.r mentions. A 135mm freehub would fit in your frame with minimal adjustment - the only downside is that it would cost substantially more.

The decision over what to do is down to you. It depends how much you like the current bike and how much tinkering you like to do. Financially the old bike won't be worth any more but the experience and pleasure gained can't be measured in £.s.d.

If it was my choice, personally I'd get the new bike for best and upgrade the old one for the fun of it.

 

[Cal44]

So given all that we have discussed here I went to a local bike shop today and explained what sort of riding I would like to do and the predicament of the older bike. After a quick look around it was clear that cost wise I would be looking at £300-£400 for a hybrid bike so I can ride mainly on the road with a little gentle off. The two main contenders at this time are a Forme at £399 or a Dawes xo 3 at I think £449. Does any one have any thoughts on these? Both have v brakes, front lockable suspension, lightweight aluminium frames, adjustable handlebars, the forme has a suspension seat. Both are 700 wheels and very comfortable positions. Both seem reasonable on price seeing as they have decent spec and if I do get a new bike id rahmther buy from a local shop than online.

Does anyone know if forme are decent? From what I've seen online their higher end bikes get good reviews but not sure of the hybrids. Just that the shop owner said for his money the forme is a better bike for less cost.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I'm not familiar with Forme but the bikes on their website look good - not much detail on the full spec though.

I have a soft spot for Dawes as I've had good bikes from them in the past but I can't say anything in the spec list particularly says "buy me" instead of the Forme though. Dawes RRP on their website is £399 so price should be the same.

Which one takes your fancy?

 

[Cal44]

It may have been the XO2 and not 3 then as he def said it was more. Any way I think I actually prefer the Forme from sitting on them both today and the feel of it. Thing is I know Dawes are good as friends have had them in the past and always been strong reliable bikes.

I think a second viewing is on the cards and a quick scout round a couple of other shops. I dont want to rush in to buying one without doing proper homework as to what is available. I would end up thinking what if.....

I'm pretty sure that I will repair the old bike though so that I have the two available to me in case I want to go more off road one day. I've got a soft spot for it so don't want to get rid of it. And as you say Phil it will be a bit of fun to tinker about with it and see what I can do with it. Good to learn from.

Either way on the choice of bike I want to get something sorted sooner rather than later....dont want to miss out on another June only summer up here!

 

[Cal44]

Quick update,

After receiving great advice on here and also having a good chat and with the local bike store owner, who took the time to show me all the different setups and how they work etc after me explaining to him what I would like to use the bike for I have today purchased a new Forme Peaktrail 3.0. I have ridden it for approx 10 miles this afternoon, as sadly this was all I could fit in before having to collect me daughter from nursery. First impressions are great, everyone always said how much faster this would be and how easily it would roll without pedalling but even still its more than I thought. Comfortable, easy to handle and climbs very well in the hills round my area. I don't want to go on about it too much in here due to this being the wrong section for a review but glad I have made the upgrade and look forward to many miles over the coming months!

Thanks to all those who replied to my original question. I shall still be putting most of the advice in to practice as want to keep the old bike running and it seems it will be relatively inexpensive and easy enough to do so.

Happy riding folks!