Old Dura Ace Freewheel
10-19-19, 08:39 PM
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Old Dura Ace Freewheel
I was loooking through some used freewheels yesterday and noticed 2 I hadn't seen before. The first was a Dura Ace and the second was Shimano 600. They both pre date the hyperglides.
My question, Are they any better than the standard Shimano freewheels of that era and if so how?
In this case I went with a 7 speed Suntour unit, the one with 4 notches for the removal tool . This unit was the same height as a 6 speed freewheel , A compact version with smaller spacing?
It fits in the 126mm Dropouts of the bike I am fixing without having to stretch the stays apart.
My question, Are they any better than the standard Shimano freewheels of that era and if so how?
In this case I went with a 7 speed Suntour unit, the one with 4 notches for the removal tool . This unit was the same height as a 6 speed freewheel , A compact version with smaller spacing?
It fits in the 126mm Dropouts of the bike I am fixing without having to stretch the stays apart.
10-19-19, 08:48 PM
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In this case I went with a 7 speed Suntour unit, the one with 4 notches for the removal tool . This unit was the same height as a 6 speed freewheel , A compact version with smaller spacing?
It fits in the 126mm Dropouts of the bike I am fixing without having to stretch the stays apart.
It fits in the 126mm Dropouts of the bike I am fixing without having to stretch the stays apart.
10-19-19, 08:55 PM
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I've come to dislike freewheels with the notches for removal tools. I probably still have a couple around somewhere.
Make sure you clamp the tool down in the quick release tightly before trying to remove.
Make sure you clamp the tool down in the quick release tightly before trying to remove.
10-19-19, 09:10 PM
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Dura Ace was the "best" level of manufacturing that Shimano offered. The best materials, most precise and accurate fabrication and nicest finish. So that DA freewheel might have longer lasting bearings and/or cogs, might weigh a tad less for the same cog range and might be smoother in function. "might" because the differences are not major ones and steel still wears over time.
The 600 (now Ultegra) level uses many of the design elements that DA does but at a lower cost then DA is. Still regarded as a better then average part. Andy
The 600 (now Ultegra) level uses many of the design elements that DA does but at a lower cost then DA is. Still regarded as a better then average part. Andy
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AndrewRStewart
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10-19-19, 09:28 PM
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Just take the slop out and concentrate on keeping your rotating force on the proper plane and centered.
I'm not a fan of the 2/4 prong tools either, but you have to do what you have to do.
I won't put those FW's on a bike I expect to see again.
10-19-19, 10:17 PM
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I actually compared 3 seven speed freewheels to a six speed. Two of them , chinese hyperglide copies , were about 2-3 mm wider. The Suntour 7 speed was virtually the same width.
10-20-19, 05:59 AM
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I agree. I use the skewer (leaving it a tiny bit loose) to make sure the tool doesn't slip out and then put the tool in a vise. It's a lot easier to the use the wheel as a lever as opposed to a wrench. Once it breaks, loosen the skewer so it doesn't get jammed on the wheel.
10-20-19, 07:51 AM
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Dura-Ace freewheels, IMHO, are among the best ever made. My favorites are the later models with the Uniglide tooth profile and splined remover tool. Earlier Dura-Ace freewheels were mechanically excellent, but had standard tooth profiles that didn't shift as easily as the Uniglide teeth. The early freewheels also used a two-prong remover (compatible with the Regina/Everest/etc. two prong standard) that is not as sturdy as the later splined remover.
