nuke_diver

Title says it. I went to remove my rear cassette today to fix a broken spoke and the axle broke. I guess 33 years of riding was too much and it was held together by the friction (honestly don't know long it has been broken). I've looked online and 27 1x1/8 wheels don't seem to exist anymore. If I went with a 1/4 in wheel would everything else still fit? Would I need to get a new cassette/chain front ring as well?
If so I'm not sure it would be worth doing since I could probably pick up a new bike (used) for not much more. The bike in question is 33 years old and has seen a lot of miles so it might be time to move on.

Just trying to figure out what options there are


Thanks

Retro Grouch 

Broken axles on freewheel bikes aren't all that uncommon. If your wheel is fine otherwise, you should be able to replace just the broken axle for a lot less money.

fietsbob

The Tires width is getting referenced to wheel width I suspect .

There are repair wheels sold still on 27" , a Bike shop needs them to keep customers with older bikes On the road .

Yes Freewheel hub axles Do Break .. when there are 5 or 6 speeds on one side its quite common.

Bill Kapaun

You state cassette, but most hubs from the 27" era are Free Wheels.
Look here to tell the difference.

Freewheel or Cassette?

leob1

Where are you located?

nuke_diver

Sorry to me the cassette is the gears themselves. Yes it is a freewheel, 6 speed bike. Looks like it is a SunTour freewheel. Yes I'm referencing the tire size since that's the only thing I know it by. It seems that fixing the axle would be cheapest but with a bunch of unknowns it might be easier to replace the wheel itself.

I would like to know if because the rest of the drivetrain is very old, that replacing the freewheel would require that I end up replacing the whole drivetrain. If that is the case it might be better just to get a new bike since this bike is not used heavily but just for commuting about 50 miles/week

RoadLight

Hi nuke_diver,

You've got some good advice already---just replace the broken axle. But I want to address your comment about 27 1-1/8" wheels not existing anymore and your question about switching to a 1-1/4" rim width.

You're right, 27" rims with a 1-1/8" width aren't as easy to find. However, if you're patient you can still find good used ones---sometimes even new ones---on eBay. There are a pair of used Araya 27 1-1/8" wheels with Sansin and Suzue hubs for sale there right now as I write. They don't look like they're in the best shape---but I mention them to show that they still come up for sale regularly. I bought a set of new 27 1-1/8" wheels on eBay two years ago for one of my family's vintage bikes. They were NOS (new old stock) that a bike shop was getting rid of. They matched the bike perfectly (Ukai 27 1-1/8" alloy rims, Suntour alloy hubs, 36 spokes). I bought them primarily for spares. It took a couple of months to find them---I created a search on eBay and configured it to email me whenever a new ad appeared that met my search criteria.

As far as I know, WheelMaster is still making 27 x 1" and 27 x 1-1/4" wheels. You can find them for sale on Amazon.com and some online bike shops like NiagaraCycle.com.

Can you or should you switch to a 1-1/4" rim width since they are still being made? The answer depends on the size tires you prefer to run. If you want to stay with a 27 x 1-1/8" tire size, then I would probably choose a 1" rim width instead (which also appears to still be in production). If your bike has the clearance for 1-1/4" tires (they are surprisingly bigger than 1-1/8") and you would like to use them (they can give you a softer ride), then a 1-1/4" rim width should work great.

I've used 1-1/4" tires on a couple of my family's vintage 1985 Fuji road bikes. The tires were the Vredestein Perfect Moiree---an excellent model. However, both of the Fuji bikes were designed with 27 1-1/8" tires in mind and, in our case, the fit of the 1-1/4" tires was tight. For example, the top of the tires were very close to the center of the brake calipers (within 2 mm or less) and clearing the fenders that were added to one of the bikes was a difficult challenge. So we switched back to 27 1-1/8". If your bike doesn't have fenders and/or you have plenty of clearance around your brake calipers and frame, then you may have no trouble with the 1-1/4" wide tires and the 27 x 1-1/4" rims should work fine.

Kind regards, RoadLight

bhchdh 

I have these on my Trek 610, they needed a little work with the spoke wrench when new but have held up well since then.
WEINMANN LP18 SILVER 27 126mm ROAD 5/6/7 speed wheelset [72774716654] - $99.00 Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike

ironwood

Bent and broken axles on freewheel hubs are common, which is one of the reasons cassette hubs have taken over. A good bike shop should have replacement axles. Wheels mfg makes them, or did the last time I needed one. Check the cones to see if they are still good. Relacement cones for some brands are hard to find.

The width of the tire does not necessarily indicate the width of the rim width.

The bike I ride most is 33 years old. 1983 had some great bikes, Treks, Miyatas and Specialized, especially the Sequoia.

SkyDog75

Assuming the broken axle is your only problem, replacing the axle is likely the cheapest, easiest, and simplest course of action. Replacement axles can be purchased for around $15-20 and it's pretty trivial for a mechanic (or anyone with basic mechanical inclination and tools) to make the swap.

If you choose to buy a replacement axle yourself without going through a shop, they're easy to find online, but you'll need to know the length and diameter/threading of your current one to order the right replacement. Assuming it's a hollow axle for a quick-release skewer, it's likely (but not certain) to be 10mm in diameter with a 1 mm thread pitch. If that's the case, THIS is the axle you're looking for. You'll also need a set of cone wrenches (or similar thin metric wrenches) to remove, transfer, and adjust the bearing cones and locknuts.

If you elect to replace the whole wheel or wheelset, there are a few unknowns there as well. You've got a SunTour freewheel, so it's probably safe to assume ISO threading for the hub/freewheel. That's one variable out of the way. The other to worry about is the hub's "OLD" (over locknut distance) width, which should match the distance between the inner faces of the frame's dropouts. Being a six-speed, it's probably 126 mm, but I'd personally measure to be certain. If that's the case, Velomine stocks a few replacement options. There's the Weinmann LP18 option bhchdh mentioned above, which are pretty decent. I own a set myself, even. Be aware that the LP18's are pretty narrow rims, though, and are best suited for tires up to 1 1/8" wide. If you want to go wider, Velomine also stocks this wheelset built from Sun CR-18 rims and it sells for $115. You'll also need the appropriate freewheel tool for your specific freewheel ($10-15) to remove it and transfer to the new wheel.

CliffordK

If your rim is good, you can even relace it to a new hub. But first see if you can repair the one you have. Axles (often with cones) are cheap. If you get one with enough threads, but too long, just cut it off.

Our local bike co-op gets a few 27" wheels in from time to time.

Velo Orange makes narrow 27" wheels.
Grand Cru PBP Rear Wheel (High Flange Freewheel Hub 27", 126mm) - 27 inch - Complete Wheels - Wheels, Rims, Hubs & Accessories - Components

nuke_diver

Thanks again for all the advice. I may also have lost a ball bearing. I count 16 between the 2 sides (should be the same right?) but when the axle fell out (as I was not expecting this and I was looking at what tool I would need to remove the freewheel) I thought I heard a BB hit the ground but I cannot find one. All that makes me think that for the few dollars I might save it would be safer to get a new wheel (less chance of something else being not compatible)

This all started as as simple spoke replacement and is ballooning into much more. I am getting concerned that there might be a whole host of problems upcoming. I'll go to my LBS to see if they have an axle (they don't have a rim since I already called them about that) but I'd like the bike back up and running soon.

ironwood

Where are you located?

nuke_diver

California

CliffordK

Did you get the freewheel removed? If it takes a 2-prong freewheel tool, make sure you have an axle in the hub when removing. For splined tools, it isn't necessary.

I think it is commonly 9 - 1/4" balls on each side (18 total). You should know if you have too many. Bearings are commonly replaced when re-greasing a hub.

Do you have a local bike co-op? You could take your wheel in. Rent some space. Hopefully buy a whole new set of bearings plus axle, and cones if needed. Cones should be pit-free. And, hopefully someone will help you assemble everything and adjust the cones.

squirtdad

not real helpful....california is big but if you are at all close to San Jose, check out Good Karma bikes. it is a non-profit and they get tons of old wheels.

nuke_diver

No I didn't get the freewheel removed because I stopped in at a bike shop initially and they showed me the tool I needed but they did not have one for sale. I bought that tool (online) and it is the wrong one (shimano-splined vs suntour 2 pronged). So I need to buy another one online if I'm going to try and keep this rim/freewheel. We don't seem to have a local co-op. There is sort of one in the area but it is a charity org only and not for fixing your own bike but they fix bikes for less fortunate folks

Sounds like I'm missing 2 BB Sounds easier and easier to replace the wheel

CliffordK

You could always volunteer some time. Perhaps learn a bit about mechanics, and they may allow you to use their toys.

There is a lot of good info and videos on the internet.

Of course, many of use just plunged in and learned on our own, so there are many ways to skin a cat.

Bill Kapaun

Just buy an axle and new 18 Bearing Balls at your LBS.
OR
Take the loose parts to the LBS and explain you apparently lost some bearings and need a new axle.
You can have them inspect the cones & races to see if the hub is otherwise good.
They might allow you to watch if they aren't busy and you are polite and seem eager to learn how to do it yourself.

SkyDog75

It's no big deal if you're missing a few balls. Just bring a few more pennies to the bike shop when you drop in for a new axle. They're cheap.

davidad

27 Inch ISO 630 Bicycle Wheels from Harris Cyclery

nuke_diver

Thanks again for all the help and a special shoutout to squirtdad. I do live in the South Bay so I went to GoodKarma Bikes and found a wheel that was new but not very expensive that would work. I then went to another bike store and they had the right tool (FR-2) so I pulled the freewheel off today (came off rather easily in fact), cleaned it all up and put it on the new wheel. Everything seems to be working fine though the back brake still needs some adjustment (and it also could stand to be replaced but that's another job). I did not true the wheel (I'm sure that will be shocking to some) but I don't have a truing stand and I cannot imagine that the wheel is worse than the one that was on there (and it seems better). The real test will be a regular 18 mile ride tomorrow.

I haven't decided what to do with the old rim yet. I still might see if I can find the parts online to rebuild the axle as a longer term project

JohnDThompson 

The vast majority or rear hubs of that era use 9 1/4" balls on each side of the hub. Since you've lost at least one ball at this point, you may as well replace them all with new balls; they're cheap enough -- you could probably get them all new for just a few bucks.