Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
This is going to sound like retro-grouch resistance at first, but what is your goal in switching from 6-speed to 7-speed? New freewheels tend to come in 14-28 or 14-34 either way, so there isn't much of a gain in my book. The extra cog is added where it is least needed in the progression.
Now that your frame is already 130mm, you might as well upgrade a little further into 8+ speed cassette hubs.
I disagree about the "extra cog" being essentially unneeded. I can do most of what I want with a 2x6 setup, but 2x7 or 3x6 works out better for me, with good range and no gaps.
You are right about the benefit of an 8-speed cassette. My mountain bike started 3x6, was evidently upgraded to 3x7 by the first owner, and I have since upgraded to a 3x8 cassette, which gives me a delightful set of gears spanning almost a 4:1 range (26 to 100 gear-inches), with 6-7 percent progression most of the way up.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069