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Altus - 105
#1
My new Trike has Altus rear Derailleur and Im not impressed. Im not a component snob but I want something that works nicely. Im thinking maybe 105. There are many different styles with different lengths of this or that. Can some one clue me in what I need to measure/know in order to get the correct derailleur? Its an 8 speed cassette with grip shift but those are also going bye bye soon. I want indexed bar end shifters. Maybe even non-indexed
Thanks
I watched myself crawlin' out as I was a-crawlin' in
Some of my bicycles
My Schwinns
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#2
Altus is MTB whereas 105 is road type.
105 is meant for no more than 27 tooth rear cassette.
Your Altus may be a long cage mech' so you will also need similar on the replacement.
I would suggest you look at Shimano MTB range of derailleurs.
What size and number of sprockets do you have?
Ride hard or ride home alone!
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#3
The rear is Sram 11-32 8sp and if it matters the front is 52/42/30 and may be getting a 56 big ring some day. The rear wheel is only a 20" so that may enter into it because Ive seen trikes with the rear derailleur only about 3/4" from the ground. I may just take it to the bike shop and let them figure it out.

Here are the specs http://www.sunbicycles.com/product_detail.php?short_code=T3+CX+Tadpole&cl1=RECUMBENT
I watched myself crawlin' out as I was a-crawlin' in
Some of my bicycles
My Schwinns
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#4
(05-18-2011, 04:20 PM)AL_BUNDY Wrote:  ..... I may just take it to the bike shop and let them figure it out......

It is your money.
Nigel
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#5
A 105 will not reach a 32T cassette cog. In fact I don't know of any Shimano road mech' that will.
Sram make one but that is 10 speed and won't match your changer etc.

Yes you will need a long cage mech' as you have a triple.
You could upgrade to Lx / XT or similar but you would have to check that it is suitable for your 8 speed system.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
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#6
I suspect that the shifter change will make a bigger difference than the derailleur. Makes sense to do both at the same time if you're going to change it anyway. But I'd try new shifters before der.
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#7
"I suspect that the shifter change will make a bigger difference than the derailleur"
I thought about that.My ole MTB was like a new bike after new shifters. I went pretty cheap with Alivio but the old shifters were shot.
I'm having a hard time finding bar ends in a 3-8 combo. I see 3-9 or 2-8. Im sure they are out there I just havnt seen them for a decent price yet.
I watched myself crawlin' out as I was a-crawlin' in
Some of my bicycles
My Schwinns
  Reply
#8
(05-19-2011, 01:31 PM)AL_BUNDY Wrote:  I'm having a hard time finding bar ends in a 3-8 combo. I see 3-9 or 2-8. Im sure they are out there I just haven't seen them for a decent price yet.

If your cassette is Shimano 8 speed then a 9 speed will fit. You could then have 3x9 shifters.
Another option is if the 3x9 bar end shifter will work as a friction shifter then this would work with the eight speed.
You might start by getting a 9 speed dérailleur (this will work with 8 speed as well). Get the 3x9 shifter and use the friction mode until the 8 speed cassette wears out. Then swap to 9 speed cassette and use the indexing.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
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#9
"" If your cassette is Shimano 8 speed then a 9 speed will fit""

Would I also need a new chain? I was thinking 9 speed chains were different. My chain is almost 3 time longer then a typical bike. That can get pricey also but might be worth it. 3 more speeds would be cool but like some one said shifters may be enough to make me happy.
I watched myself crawlin' out as I was a-crawlin' in
Some of my bicycles
My Schwinns
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#10
Just did some looking and if I do ebay it looks like I can do Cassette & LX 9 speed Derailleur for about $80. If I can find compatible bar ends for around $40. That would be acceptable if I dont have to sink another $80 for a chain. Im pretty confused about all this so correct me if Im thinking wrong.

I also gotta take into account I plan on trading up in a couple-3 years to a much more expensive trike that will already have top notch equipment.
I watched myself crawlin' out as I was a-crawlin' in
Some of my bicycles
My Schwinns
  Reply
#11
I can't advise on chain compatibility as I have never tried using a 9 speed chain on my 8 speed bikes.
The reports are that 9 speed chains are narrower due to the "rivets" protruding less outside the side plates. (same internal dimension). So my theory is that 8 speed chains, with their protruding rivets, may catch on the narrower gaps of a 9 speed cassette and give "ghost" shifts or a noisy drive.???
So I would budget for new chains if going to 9 speed. Sad
Ride hard or ride home alone!
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#12
(05-20-2011, 03:53 AM)cyclerUK Wrote:  ....9 speed chains are narrower due to the "rivets" protruding less outside the side plates. (same internal dimension). So my theory is that 8 speed chains, with their protruding rivets, may catch on the narrower gaps of a 9 speed cassette and give "ghost" shifts or a noisy drive.???
So I would budget for new chains if going to 9 speed. Sad

Correct.
Nigel
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