HandsomeRyan

I'm trying to figure out what type of hub I have on my 1994 Schwinn CrissCross. I read Sheldon Brown's website but it offered so much info I think I'm more confused now than I was when I started. As I understand it there are 2 main types of hubs that my bike could possibly have- A cassette hub or a multi-speed freewheel hub. The cassette hub will have splines vs. the freewheel hub that will be threaded. From: https://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html

In the pictures on his website I can plainly see the difference but on my bike, with the gears still on the hub, I'm not sure which type I have. A helpful BF.netter was able to link me to the 'stats' about my bike but it might as well be written in russian since I don't know what I'm looking at. The hub is listed as a Hypergear 7 speed if that means anything? Full stats @ https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1..._Sport_23.html (right-most column)

What am I looking for when taking the complete rear wheel off to determmine which type of hub I have?

Thanks in advance.

earleybird

if you posted a pic it would help.
I would suggest you take it to a local bike shop. They will tell you what you have and either remove it for you or sell you the correct tool

Sheldon Brown

Sorry you didn't find the right page. The page that is devoted to answering this question is https://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7

That's a cassette Freehub, but an off-brand, not genuine Shimano. Most likely interchangeable with Shimano though.

Sheldon "K7" Brown

HillRider

The catalog listing is a bit ambiguous. By 1994 most new bikes, particularly higher quality ones, came with cassettes and freehubs but "Hypergear" isn't a trademark I'm familiar with and yours may still have a freewheel. Some low-line bikes still use them. In the Schwinn catalog page you reference the models that use cassettes are specifically listed as having "Shimano HG50 cassettes" and yours isn't so I wouldn't be surprised if it's a freewheel.

Sorry for the "maybe" reply but I recommend you take the bike, or at least the wheel, to an experienced rider or bike shop for a definitive answer.

HandsomeRyan

Thanks to everyone who replied for their help. I don't know how I missed that webpage about how to tell the difference between the two types but it was very helpful.

Sheldon Brown

It's listed as 12-28. This is a VERY common cassette, but I have never heard of a freewheel in those sizes.

Old Regina and a very few Sun Tour freewheels were available with 12 tooth sprockets, but 12s are super uncommon in freewheels. No way Schwinn would have spec'ed such a freewheel.

Sheldon "Douze" Brown

HillRider

Very good information. From Schwinn's description it wasn't clear to me what he had but that's a good way to tell.