Velo Orange Freewheel Rear Hub Spacing
11-25-14, 10:56 AM
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Velo Orange Freewheel Rear Hub Spacing
Grand Cru High Flange Freewheel Rear Hub 126mm
"Suitable for most 7-speed freewheels."
Just spun a 7-speed DNP Epoch freewheel onto the hub and the drive-side locknut is well below the face of the freewheel. So much for 46/30 front and 11-28 rear. I've been led to believe that they used a Shimano or SunTour freewheel when initially testing to see if they could fit a 7-speed freewheel successfully. I doubt these hubs will take a 7-speed freewheel without some modification after the fact.
"Suitable for most 7-speed freewheels."
Just spun a 7-speed DNP Epoch freewheel onto the hub and the drive-side locknut is well below the face of the freewheel. So much for 46/30 front and 11-28 rear. I've been led to believe that they used a Shimano or SunTour freewheel when initially testing to see if they could fit a 7-speed freewheel successfully. I doubt these hubs will take a 7-speed freewheel without some modification after the fact.
11-25-14, 11:12 AM
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Put a longer spacer (or additional spacer(s) on the drive side and re-dish the wheel?
11-25-14, 11:26 AM
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This was intended more as a PSA/callout to see which 7-speed freewheels, if any, are directly compatible with this hub.
11-25-14, 11:42 AM
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If the hubs are indeed spaced to 126mm, I wouldn't blame VO if a particular manufacturer's freewheels are too wide to fit. Some DNPs appear to have an extra spacer between the first cog and the lockring, for reasons unknown to me.
That said, adding 1-2mm of spacers to a 126mm hub to accommodate a 7-speed freewheel was common and not unreasonable.
That said, adding 1-2mm of spacers to a 126mm hub to accommodate a 7-speed freewheel was common and not unreasonable.
11-25-14, 04:19 PM
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There will need to be at least 3mm from the face of the smallest cog to the inside of the dropout, so your sample hub seems like it is way off for a 126mm hub that is intended even for a 6sp freewheel (and which would be only a couple of mm narrower than any normal 7sp freewheel).
Test-fit a Sunrace, Suntour or Shimano 7s freewheel, and make sure that it is threading on fully to the stop. Then check for an absolute minimum of 3mm that the knurled locknut surface protrudes out beyond the smallest cog.
Since the freewheel's lockring isn't 3mm thick it shouldn't be in the way of anything unless there is perhaps a protruding bolt/nut for a derailer mounting claw or axle stop. Sometimes such hardware needs to be "massaged" with a Dremel grinder to stay out of the way of rotating parts.
Nine-speed chain also sometimes helps with marginal clearance issues if it's still a close call with a good freewheel.
I have installed DNP 7s freewheels and never noticed any unusual dimensional issues, but I was never enamored of their appearance, in terms of perceived quality. I haven't had any problems with them that I can recall however.
At least these hubs appear to have easily-modified axle spacing using a standard threaded axle, but since it is a freewheel hub you'll want to keep the axle overhang to an absolute minimum, to prevent axle breakage.
Test-fit a Sunrace, Suntour or Shimano 7s freewheel, and make sure that it is threading on fully to the stop. Then check for an absolute minimum of 3mm that the knurled locknut surface protrudes out beyond the smallest cog.
Since the freewheel's lockring isn't 3mm thick it shouldn't be in the way of anything unless there is perhaps a protruding bolt/nut for a derailer mounting claw or axle stop. Sometimes such hardware needs to be "massaged" with a Dremel grinder to stay out of the way of rotating parts.
Nine-speed chain also sometimes helps with marginal clearance issues if it's still a close call with a good freewheel.
I have installed DNP 7s freewheels and never noticed any unusual dimensional issues, but I was never enamored of their appearance, in terms of perceived quality. I haven't had any problems with them that I can recall however.
At least these hubs appear to have easily-modified axle spacing using a standard threaded axle, but since it is a freewheel hub you'll want to keep the axle overhang to an absolute minimum, to prevent axle breakage.
