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6-speed freewheel suggestions

Old 06-10-15, 03:25 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
Mechanically, SunTour are also quite nice, but I prefer the splined remover the Shimanos used.
I agree, the spined remover is a better design. I actually sheared a tab off of a very tight ST winner freewheel with the four tab remover design.
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Old 06-10-15, 03:58 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by DOS
I agree, the spined remover is a better design. I actually sheared a tab off of a very tight ST winner freewheel with the four tab remover design.
To help from breaking off the tabs on the FW puller (tool) always use the nut on the axle or the QR to hold the tool in place and one the freewheel break free then back off the nut or QR ,then remove the freewheel .
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Old 06-10-15, 04:02 PM
  #28  
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i just built a wheel for my 1986 bianchi strada in order to change from a 6 speed freewheel to 7 speed freehub. i your case you could lace in a 126mm 7 speed freehub to your current rim. your dropouts look like a 126 will fit.
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Old 06-10-15, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 70sSanO
Well I found out your Super Galaxy is a Dawes touring bike. If you can fit a 7 speed freewheel in there instead of a 6 speed you will have more of a selection and get hyperglide. As mentioned above you need to measure the overall dimension between the locknuts on the hub or the distance between the dropouts on the frame.

As also mentioned Shimano Dura Ace and 600 are my first choices in a 6 speed uniglide freewheel. The same for 7 speed and I would add a Sachs Aris that indexes fine with Shimano. You can go with more range (32t/34t) if you swap out the rear derailleur to one with a longer cage. It doesn't have to be a 6 speed derailleur to work with a 6 speed freewheel. I don't know if an 8 or 9 speed with narrow pulleys will have enough room between the cage side plates for a wider 6 speed chain, but indexing should not be a problem. I run 7 speed chains with 9 speed derailleurs with no issues. I'm sure someone can provide better info on whether a 6 speed chain will run through an 8/9 speed derailleur.

John


I have no problems with my 6 speed freewheel on this Trek with a 6 speed chain and a modern derailleur.
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Old 06-10-15, 04:53 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by bikeman715
To help from breaking off the tabs on the FW puller (tool) always use the nut on the axle or the QR to hold the tool in place and one the freewheel break free then back off the nut or QR ,then remove the freewheel .
Also helps to go back in time and make sure the freewheel was installed with plenty of grease.

Originally Posted by dr1445
i just built a wheel for my 1986 bianchi strada in order to change from a 6 speed freewheel to 7 speed freehub. i your case you could lace in a 126mm 7 speed freehub to your current rim. your dropouts look like a 126 will fit.
Hey, that's my line!
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Old 06-10-15, 05:27 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by bikeman715
To help from breaking off the tabs on the FW puller (tool) always use the nut on the axle or the QR to hold the tool in place and one the freewheel break free then back off the nut or QR ,then remove the freewheel .
I did this but didnt shear the tool, I sheard the freewheel notches. Because I had used antiseize on the threads, I was still able to get 4 notch freewheel off by usung two notch tool engaged in the remaining undamaged notches.
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Old 06-10-15, 05:38 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by bikeman715
To help from breaking off the tabs on the FW puller (tool) always use the nut on the axle or the QR to hold the tool in place and one the freewheel break free then back off the nut or QR ,then remove the freewheel .
Been there, done that, sheared the notches anyways. Had to basically destroy the freewheel to get it off.
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Old 06-11-15, 03:27 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Grand Bois
The SA 8 speed is made for a bike with 20" wheels. It has a 1:1 first gear ratio. To get usable gearing with 700c wheels, you have to use a tiny chain ring. I've seen it done, but it looks ridiculous and it puts a lot of stress on the hub.
Good to know this. My wife has an SA hub on her Dutch-style town bike, but I think it's 7 speed.
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Old 06-11-15, 03:32 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by dr1445
i just built a wheel for my 1986 bianchi strada in order to change from a 6 speed freewheel to 7 speed freehub. i your case you could lace in a 126mm 7 speed freehub to your current rim. your dropouts look like a 126 will fit.
Thanks. This is really interesting, because I think the rear spokes also need some attention, maybe some replacements. They're a little bit creaky at times. Do you have any specific 7-sp freehub favorites to recommend? Or ones to avoid?
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Old 06-11-15, 03:44 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
8th cog on a freewheel is a bridge to far.. have to tear down the last 2 cogs to grip the freewheel tool.
+ the axle is even more likely to Break
I agree that anything past 7 warrants a freehub unless you have a hub that is designed for 8 speed freewheels, for those rarer 8 speed freewheels there is a longer splined tool that will make removing them easier.

There are even 9 speed freewheels (Bionx used them) and their rates of axle breakage were obscene, now they have moved to a cassette hub.

A new Shimano 6 speed freewheel is probably the best bang for the buck, and they don't cost much.
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Old 06-11-15, 03:46 AM
  #36  
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Mechanically, I have found that Suntour freewheels are among the best and custom build these for my own applications... the shifting is not quite as good as Shimano but I can live with that.
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Old 06-11-15, 05:58 AM
  #37  
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i went with a shimano hg-50 14-32. my reason for changing to the cassette type hub was to add a grandfather cog, not many offerings in the freewheel arena. i also had 126mm hub in stock, they are somewhat elusive to find at a friendly price.
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Old 06-11-15, 03:22 PM
  #38  
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Yes, I've seen pretty limited range in most freewheels for sale these days. A great big granny cog would be good, though just getting up to 28t and smoother rolling might keep me happy for a while, for flattish touring.
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Old 06-11-15, 03:26 PM
  #39  
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Also, this looks like the right tool for my current freewheel--can anyone confirm, from experience?
Attached Images
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maillard tool.jpg (91.7 KB, 244 views)
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Old 06-11-15, 03:27 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by mfcity
Yes, I've seen pretty limited range in most freewheels for sale these days. A great big granny cog would be good, though just getting up to 28t and smoother rolling might keep me happy for a while, for flattish touring.
Yeah, the shift between the 24T and 34T cogs on those MegaRange freewheels isn't always the quickest. If you find that the 28T still isn't low enough, see if you can put a smaller granny ring on that triple.
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Old 07-27-15, 09:01 AM
  #41  
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I've been away, but am now looking to buy the replacement freewheel, based on everyone's input. I can order either the 6-speed or 7-speed version of the Shimano TZ-20, so I wanted to ask whether anyone knows how much these are likely to differ in width. The 105 derailleur I installed was from a 7-speed drivetrain, so that should work, but I'm wondering whether the dropout width might be a problem if I go with the 7-speed one. I'm happy to change the chain if needed, and I'm sure I can pick up a 7-speed indexed shifter to replace the current 6-speed one, for a little more flexibility.

Thanks for all the detailed tips--they've been a big help already.
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Old 07-27-15, 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by mfcity
I've been away, but am now looking to buy the replacement freewheel, based on everyone's input. I can order either the 6-speed or 7-speed version of the Shimano TZ-20, so I wanted to ask whether anyone knows how much these are likely to differ in width. The 105 derailleur I installed was from a 7-speed drivetrain, so that should work, but I'm wondering whether the dropout width might be a problem if I go with the 7-speed one. I'm happy to change the chain if needed, and I'm sure I can pick up a 7-speed indexed shifter to replace the current 6-speed one, for a little more flexibility.

Thanks for all the detailed tips--they've been a big help already.
The 7-speed will be slightly wider, maybe a mm or two, and the "bonus" gear ratio is added at the bottom end of the range, where it's pointless (18-20-22-24-28 instead of 18-21-24-28). My recommendation would be to stick with the 6-speed unit.
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Old 07-27-15, 09:15 AM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by otg


I have no problems with my 6 speed freewheel on this Trek with a 6 speed chain and a modern derailleur.
Nice shiny bike! You almost have as many bikes as posts!!!

I can see through your wood pile. Are you sure you have enough? Haha
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Old 07-27-15, 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
The 7-speed will be slightly wider, maybe a mm or two, and the "bonus" gear ratio is added at the bottom end of the range, where it's pointless (18-20-22-24-28 instead of 18-21-24-28). My recommendation would be to stick with the 6-speed unit.
This is useful to know, thank you. A 6-speed would be the simplest solution, in any case.
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Old 09-19-19, 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
My favorite freewheels are Shimano's Dura-Ace and 600 models from the mid-80s. They're getting harder to find, though, and the cost is going up.
+1, On my 1986 Tempo I upgraded from the 14-26 or 14-28 to a Shimano 600 6-speed freewheel... it's been a while since I did that but I believe it's a 13-33. Paid $50 for the freewheel. Worth every penny.
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Old 09-19-19, 04:08 PM
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Did you happen to notice that this thread is 4 years old? It is long past time where you could help the OP. These threads need to have an expiry date
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Old 09-20-19, 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by alcjphil
Did you happen to notice that this thread is 4 years old? It is long past time where you could help the OP. These threads need to have an expiry date
Sometimes new information on a Zombie thread helps someone else with the same or similar problem.

Cheers
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Old 05-25-22, 09:24 PM
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Useless

Originally Posted by alcjphil
Did you happen to notice that this thread is 4 years old? It is long past time where you could help the OP.
Who cares?

Last edited by cb400bill; 05-27-22 at 08:39 AM.
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