1990 Raleigh Reynolds 501 gear fault

Moominman2

Hello!

I think the rear Derailleur hanger is bent. I've come off it twice so is very possible.

The gears have always been slow and sticky and if I'm in the lowest gear, hits the spokes majorly. But now, there is no highest gear!

A local bike shop quoted £70 ish for a full service and the part and fitting. Do I bother? Or should I buy a new bike on finance such as a Trek 1.1 or Giant Defy? Would it be a major upgrade? I'm getting more serious about riding lately. Love it.

Or what part do I need to do it myself?

Thanks
Luke

centimani

Many older Raleighs have an integral hanger thats part of the frame, not a bolt on hanger as with new bikes...

A good old fashioned LBS should be able to re-align an old style integral hanger.
TBF, a bolt on hanger for my modern bianchi was £25....
Sticky in a few gears...its an old bike, have any of the cables and outers been replaced ? They will get corroded etc internally...that would make shifting quite 'difficult'
New cables and outers, re-aligning an old hanger or replacing a new one...labour...£70, probably about right TBF.

Replace it ?..there is a certain cudos in older bikes (IMO) and when well maintained, they won't hold you back much at all.
But then, bling, new bike...you decide.

Monty Dog

Old steel frame = use a big adjustable spanner to re-align the mech hanger.

ugo.santalucia

If you live local, I will fix your hanger free of charge, it literally takes 5 minutes with the right tool

Moominman2

Thanks for the replies folks. I think I'll get it fixed instead of getting a new bike then.

I live in Kent if that's anywhere near

Cheers again
Luke

Moominman2

Just an update...I know this was a couple weeks ago now but I sorted it myself. It was so easy took me 5-10 minutes and cleaned the bike up a bit and rides very nicely now.

I'm still hoping to buy a new bike around christmas though!

Thanks for the help

Luke