Mom and Pop happy with new 700 series bikes
09-04-18, 05:47 PM
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Mom and Pop happy with new 700 series bikes
Hi folks, nice being here! 
We bought these bikes and are of the 7 speed with twist handle shifting.
They are great bikes and we both like them. Right away(I'm a tinkerer at heart) I noted that the fist gear shifting starts at a ratio that is slightly smaller on 1st gear than the older single speed was on the pre 60's one speed bikes. It would appear that the seven gear design idea for this particular model 27" bike was simply to increase the speed capability from a common base single speed bike of the 60's. I think the priority should have been for a design to make it easier to climb hills. The 7 rear gears have the standard derailer and the shifting only affects these gears.
My question to you all is it is possible to remove the smallest gear(frame side) on the rear cassette and add a larger 7th gear next to the original?. This way the number of teeth on the chain would not vary and the derailer would not "sense" any changes other than the larger circumferance, which would possibly need an adjustment to it to open it's travel a bit so it can grab the chain. The width of the whole set would not change, and so the chain alignment wouldn't change.
It is a heavy bike out of the store, as the lady bike comes with a 5/16 solid steel front basket. I removed it and we are now on the lookout for a 50's wire cage basket, or whicker. Both bikes have the platform on the back of the same steel, but the mens has a second in the front which I removed. These too used to be wire mousetrap contraptions. I suspect these were designed for saddle bags.
Great bikes all the same. Thanks for the help..
We bought these bikes and are of the 7 speed with twist handle shifting.
They are great bikes and we both like them. Right away(I'm a tinkerer at heart) I noted that the fist gear shifting starts at a ratio that is slightly smaller on 1st gear than the older single speed was on the pre 60's one speed bikes. It would appear that the seven gear design idea for this particular model 27" bike was simply to increase the speed capability from a common base single speed bike of the 60's. I think the priority should have been for a design to make it easier to climb hills. The 7 rear gears have the standard derailer and the shifting only affects these gears.
My question to you all is it is possible to remove the smallest gear(frame side) on the rear cassette and add a larger 7th gear next to the original?. This way the number of teeth on the chain would not vary and the derailer would not "sense" any changes other than the larger circumferance, which would possibly need an adjustment to it to open it's travel a bit so it can grab the chain. The width of the whole set would not change, and so the chain alignment wouldn't change.
It is a heavy bike out of the store, as the lady bike comes with a 5/16 solid steel front basket. I removed it and we are now on the lookout for a 50's wire cage basket, or whicker. Both bikes have the platform on the back of the same steel, but the mens has a second in the front which I removed. These too used to be wire mousetrap contraptions. I suspect these were designed for saddle bags.
Great bikes all the same. Thanks for the help..
09-04-18, 06:35 PM
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Hi, PennyFarth! Welcome!
Glad you have found us and congrats on your new bikes!
This is the introduction section so unfortunately, the ones who are able to help you may not see this. Please post your question in our Bike Mechanics section https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/ I'm sure you will get your answers sooner than later!
Glad you have found us and congrats on your new bikes!
This is the introduction section so unfortunately, the ones who are able to help you may not see this. Please post your question in our Bike Mechanics section https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/ I'm sure you will get your answers sooner than later!
09-04-18, 08:24 PM
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Welcome to Bike Forums. Many of us on here like to tinker with our bikes. But the members in the Mechanics section should give you the best advice!
09-05-18, 09:24 AM
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Welcome! Enjoy!
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