Hi all, I am currently looking for a retro bike to refurbish and make it a gravel bike. I have found this steel bike that I am planning to convert to a 10 speed. But I am not sure if it will be compatible with GRX RX-400 rear derailleur? Because this derailleur hanger looks like nothing I have seen before.
by uwe35
4 Comments
Read this
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/upgrade.html
You will definitely have frame spacing issues, as your frame likely uses 120mm rear dropouts.
You would need a Sunrace claw hanger
That frame is fairly cheap and low quality; not necessarily the best candidate for a resto mod nor investing time and energy into
I wouldn’t bother. That bike has thin, stamped rear dropouts and uses a separate claw to attach the rear derailleur. If you’re looking at old frames from before the advent of replaceable derailleur hangers, the dropout should be thick, forged steel with an integral hanger. Those are maybe worth putting modern parts on.
Personally, I’d consider this for a tracklocross build. Track hub and gravel tires! Maybe a flat bar.
>planning to convert to a 10 speed.
Yes, it’s possible. But requires bending the frame (aka cold setting) to fit a modern 130mm spaced rear wheel (the only kind that will take a 10-speed cassette), and getting an adapter for your rear derailleur.
But it’d be silly. That was a low-end bike when it came out 50 years ago; it’s worth probably $50 now. Why would you slap nearly $600 to $1000 in wheels, tires, brakes, bars, drivetrain, and other parts on a shitty $50 bike. What’s the goal here?
>make it a gravel bike.
Even with all your upgrades, biggest tire you can fit is 28mm due to the brake caliper limitations. It will never be a gravel bike.