While not quite as good as the yet-to-be-realized FREE ENERGY, the
free fix involves the minimal amount of dexterity & skill which you probably learned in kindergarten-or-the-first-grade ...
The reason that the
rear derailleur is slipping is because the WASHER which is providing the friction is probably worn ...
YOU can cut a new, supplemental washer from the plastic cap from an empty milk jug (or, equivalent) --
- drill, slice or punch a SMALL hole in the middle of the cap ...
- then, cut away the excess to allow your supplemental washer to nest inside the shifter's recess ... insert ([COLOR= #808080]press over the "boss"[/COLOR]) & stack where the brass-or-plastic washer is located ...
- re-affix the shift lever & bolt ...
- tighten bolt, accordingly ...
- DONE.
SOME older front derailleurs flexed when new ... IMO, the worst (?) culprit was the original Shimano Deore (
circa 1983 +/-) which was unacceptable with a Triple crankset ([COLOR= #808080]i.e., it had trouble moving the chain efficiently between a Granny & the Middle chainring[/COLOR]), but acceptable ([COLOR= #808080]barely?!?[/COLOR]) with a Double.
Regardless, I would have to see the front derailleur to know it it was truly dodgy ...
And, if you are going to replace the current front derailleur then my recommendation is to go to eBay and buy a Shimano Ultegra
6500 or
6503 front derailleur + a 9-speed Shimano chain (e.g., HG-53).
FWIW. Although the only original component on the following bike are the two adjusters on the rear dropouts, you could theoretically update your FUJI with less changes but to something functionally equivalent to it ([COLOR= #808080]i.e., specifically, the shifters, derailleurs, chain, & new Freewheel[/COLOR]) for under $200 [COLOR= #0000ff]
if you are a wise shopper on eBay[/COLOR]... a little more, if you are less patient.
The first-or-last (!?!) things you may-or-may-not want to acquire are
9-speed Shimano derailleurs ...
- I prefer Ultegra 6503 which are designed for a Triple, but the 6500 front will do for most applications ... about $25+, used in good condition (mechanical & cosmetic) ... less if you are a wise shopper ... the front derailleur may be OPTIONAL with Campagnolo shifters -- I have matched a 6-speed Dura Ace front derailleur with a Campagnolo 10-speed shifter + 9-speed chain.
Using a 9-speed front derailleur will necessitate using a 9-speed Shimano chain (e.g., HG-53) and that will cost about $20 (there are more expensive models) ... this is less of a can-of- worms than it may seem to be ...
I think that a new
7-speed SunRace Freewheel (there are only a two-or-three cog combinations) will be about $20+, new (eBay). The cogs are
ramped ... that's a good thing & a change you will want to make if you opt for indexed shifting ...
If you want to opt for indexed shifting, you'll need to change to a more modern rear derailleur ... I recommend either an 8-or-9-speed LX or
XT (750) or XTR rear derailleur ... an 8-or-9-speed 105 or Ultegra rear derailleur would be okay, too ... figure on about $30+, used in good condition (mechanical & cosmetic).
Finally, a used set of
used 10-speed, non-QS Campagnolo shifters in good condition will cost between $100-to-$150 ...
You'll need some new derailleur cables & housing ...
Plus, some downtube cable guides -- allow $2 to $10.
FYI. The 10-speed Campagnolo shifters can index with 8-speed, 9-speed, and 10-speed Shimano drivetrains with zero to minimum effort. 7-speed cog spacing is close enough to 8-speed cog spacing so that you should be able to use the 10-speed Campagnolo shifters with the 7-speed SunRace Freewheel.
BTW. I changed the rear spacing on the Peugeot from 126mm to 130mm for the sake of continuity with my other bikes.
