Front mech for curved seat tube.

[nic elf]

Hi All,

I'm hoping I can pick your collective brains for an upgrade to an old part...

I have a Claude Butler ultra-short wheelbase tandem. Built as a custom job in the late 70's and with some generally nice parts. I'm currently building the bike up with some more up to date components to take it on tour. The one troubling part is the front mech. The seatpost is curved around the rear wheel meaning that all modern derailleurs I have looked at are at the wrong angle for the chainring. It was originally fitted with a Simplex Prestige mech which allowed adjustment of the chain guide angle. This mech was broken and I would like to put a more reliable component in its place. Does anyone know of a front derailler with a 14+ tooth capacity with adjustable angle for the chain guide?

any advice much appreciated!

Nick.

[Bill]

(04-30-2010, 11:39 PM)nic elf Wrote:  Hi All,

I'm hoping I can pick your collective brains for an upgrade to an old part...

I have a Claude Butler ultra-short wheelbase tandem. Built as a custom job in the late 70's and with some generally nice parts. I'm currently building the bike up with some more up to date components to take it on tour. The one troubling part is the front mech. The seatpost is curved around the rear wheel meaning that all modern derailleurs I have looked at are at the wrong angle for the chainring. It was originally fitted with a Simplex Prestige mech which allowed adjustment of the chain guide angle. This mech was broken and I would like to put a more reliable component in its place. Does anyone know of a front derailler with a 14+ tooth capacity with adjustable angle for the chain guide?


any advice much appreciated!

Nick.

Maybe the others can assist me in this idea to which I am guessing blindly without a picture of your bicycle. If you knew a metal worker that could possibly tac weld some sort of brace allowing maybe a modern "mech" to fit. That would be pretty cool. If possible can you upload a picture of your bike part?

Thanks,
Bill

EDIT - Here is the company website which could offer some better advice then I.....
http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/Corporate/CB/index.shtml