Boring questions about old Shimano components

I am an uncompetitive recreational rider, nothing more.  I have a battered (but functional) old Centurion LeMans, seven-speed.  Based on the purple fade paint scheme, it's probably one of the last ones they made.  It's odd in that it seems to have been constructed from odds and ends, although decent ones:  Shimano 105 brake levers, 600 shifters, Exage Sport derailleurs and brakes, and a Suntour Cyclone crankset.  With those Biopace chainwheels, too.  Maybe they were just trying to use up their miscellaneous parts inventory at the end.

My friend is a huge Shimano 105 fan, which I totally understand.  Inspired by him, I went on eBay and picked up some age-appropriate (the bike, not me) front and rear 105 derailleurs, in excellent shape.  I have never had a problem with the Exage Sport stuff already on the bike.

So, since I'm not having any problems, should I go ahead and make the effort to swap the 105s for the Exage Sports?  I can do it, but since I'm no derailleur whisperer, it will take some doing. Would there be a point to that?

Also, my other bike is a 1996 Trek 730 Multitrack.  It has Alivio derailleurs, also seven-speed, that could be swapped out interchangeably with either the 105s or the Exages.  Never had a problem with the Alivios, either.  Still, I was thinking that maybe swapping the 105s for the Exages, and then the Exages for the Alivios, would be a bit of an upgrade.

Does anyone have an opinion?  Thanks!   

 

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 10, 2015 at 2:45am

I have a used 105 rear hub right now from the same era and it's smooth as butter.

I think the 105 components might be a little lighter since they were made for competitive racing.  As far as function, I don't think there is any difference between the three.  On the rear derailleur however, do check to see if there is a angle adjuster or b-tension screw on the non-105 components.  Without that screw, your chain could slip quite a lot on small cogs if the b-pivot spring has worn out.  I've had this experience on an old 1980's Shimano Deore XT (Deerhead) derailleur after taking hours to clean and install it.

The fix for me was to switch to an early 1990's Shimano Deore DX long cage derailleur which has the b-tension screw.  The DX line was extremely solid and it's working perfectly right now on the 105 hub.

Permalink Reply by OLB 0.1 on May 10, 2015 at 3:05am
I wouldn't touch anything if it was working fine.
Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on May 10, 2015 at 5:06am

Thanks for the responses!

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 10, 2015 at 5:32am

Matt, I think there is a second hole in the b-pivot assembly of the old Deerhead Deore derailleurs to account for weakening pivot springs.  But even if not, it's not too difficult to bend-adjust the springs to tighten them up a little.   You could just put the spring into a vise with a bolt though it and use an adjustable wrench to twist it tighter.

I actually made a tool for working on Eggbeater pedal springs to do the same thing and get the tension just right. When those get loose (due to them unbending a little or wear on the tabs) they rattle a bit and feel a bit vague clicking in and can unclick too easily at times before the cleat wears out.  If you tighten them too much the sleeves will wear excessively and they get harder to click and in out.  So they need to be "just right" to keep the pedal performing like new.  The tool makes adjusting them a snap.  I'm sure a similar but smaller tool sized for b-pivot springs could be fabricated without much effort.  This tool took me about a half hour to make.   

Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 10, 2015 at 3:07pm

That's neat!  If you'd like a crack at it, be my guest.  It also has the Centeron pulley system, so getting a new top pulley means heading to a machinist.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 10, 2015 at 4:34pm
There is always a way.
Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 11, 2015 at 4:23am
Seriously, make me an offer.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 11, 2015 at 6:09am
While it would be an interesting project to repair, I have plenty of interesting projects in my backlog. My garage is full of bike junk that needs to be sorted, fixed/restored and sold off.

About the only new acquisitions I'm willing to make at this point are those which would be applicable to a personal bike build, and I don't ride junk that old with regards to derailleur drivetrains.

My current bikes are running Shimano 5500 on my CX bike and 6600/6700 on my road bike (on a 6400 cassette and bar-end shifters because 8-speed chains last longer and are cheaper). I really dont want to ride any drive train below that level or any older than that. The old Deerhead stuff is neat, but not anything I would want to ride again, and I dont have room to collect any more obsolete curiosities.

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