6 speed to 7 speed
#1
Count Orlok Member
Thread Starter
6 speed to 7 speed
I have an early '80s Raleigh Wyoming. I converted to 700c and cold set the frame for 130mm. I tried a 7 speed freewheel, but there's not quite enough clearance for it. I'm using the 6 speed version now, but I gather that I could try a 1mm spacer on the axle and it may give just enough room to get it to work. I thought I'd give it a try, but I asked a couple of bikes shops if they had spacers but they said no, and the only ones I can find on-line come in a bag of 20. Anyone have a source for one? Will I need to redish?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, '78 Raleigh Comp GS, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 761 Post(s)
Liked 1,563 Times
in
757 Posts
I have an early '80s Raleigh Wyoming. I converted to 700c and cold set the frame for 130mm. I tried a 7 speed freewheel, but there's not quite enough clearance for it. I'm using the 6 speed version now, but I gather that I could try a 1mm spacer on the axle and it may give just enough room to get it to work. I thought I'd give it a try, but I asked a couple of bikes shops if they had spacers but they said no, and the only ones I can find on-line come in a bag of 20. Anyone have a source for one? Will I need to redish?
Likes For ehcoplex:
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 176
Bikes: 1969 Raleigh Twenty, 1975 Raleigh DL-1, 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport, 1989 Schwinn Voyageur
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 78 Times
in
43 Posts
I'd give Express Bike Shop a try. Just off Lexington on Selby. By far my favorite shop in the Cities.
They had spacers when I went in there this spring.
They had spacers when I went in there this spring.
#4
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
I have an early '80s Raleigh Wyoming. I converted to 700c and cold set the frame for 130mm. I tried a 7 speed freewheel, but there's not quite enough clearance for it. I'm using the 6 speed version now, but I gather that I could try a 1mm spacer on the axle and it may give just enough room to get it to work. I thought I'd give it a try, but I asked a couple of bikes shops if they had spacers but they said no, and the only ones I can find on-line come in a bag of 20. Anyone have a source for one? Will I need to redish?
Now that your frame is already 130mm, you might as well upgrade a little further into 8+ speed cassette hubs.
Likes For ThermionicScott:
#5
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
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.
Now that your frame is already 130mm, you might as well upgrade a little further into 8+ speed cassette hubs.
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.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
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
#6
Count Orlok Member
Thread Starter
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.
Now that your frame is already 130mm, you might as well upgrade a little further into 8+ speed cassette hubs.
The two I tried said they didn't have any. Didn't have, or didn't want to sell them, I guess.
Last edited by gna; 08-20-22 at 11:07 AM.
#7
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
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.
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.
With old-stock or custom freewheels, one could definitely get a lot more out of that extra cog, but that's a rabbit hole I doubt I'd go down in 2022 with a 130mm bike.
#8
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,193
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1565 Post(s)
Liked 1,295 Times
in
865 Posts
Common washers are all that is really needed to add 1-2mm to the right-side axle extension.
3/8" washers can be reamed or filed to fit in just a minute or two and are available in many thicknesses.
Often I just use a thicker locknut, from my parts bins.
If you put a lot of static and/or dynamic loading on your rear wheel, a cassette hub may spare you broken or bent rear axles and driveside dropouts.
3/8" washers can be reamed or filed to fit in just a minute or two and are available in many thicknesses.
Often I just use a thicker locknut, from my parts bins.
If you put a lot of static and/or dynamic loading on your rear wheel, a cassette hub may spare you broken or bent rear axles and driveside dropouts.
Likes For dddd:
#9
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,070
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 582 Times
in
336 Posts
What I mostly had in mind are the new-production Shimano freewheels. One can choose between 14-16-18-21-24-28 or 14-16-18-20-22-24-28, oh joy.
With old-stock or custom freewheels, one could definitely get a lot more out of that extra cog, but that's a rabbit hole I doubt I'd go down in 2022 with a 130mm bike.
With old-stock or custom freewheels, one could definitely get a lot more out of that extra cog, but that's a rabbit hole I doubt I'd go down in 2022 with a 130mm bike.
#10
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,619
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3880 Post(s)
Liked 6,468 Times
in
3,200 Posts
I needed a 5-speed a few years ago for a keeper, and found a good looking one in China, like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18534047304...temCondition=3
Not ramped, but works fine for my grocery getter.
#11
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
Not that I know of!
But if I were in the market for freewheels at all, I've considered masking off the smaller cogs and spraying or brushing some kind of copper/brass-colored paint on the biggest cog. That way, even if not an exact match, it would look way better. The cogs on SunTour freewheels didn't always match exactly either.
Interesting! Are these NOS from [checks vintage-trek.com...] 1995, or recent production?
But if I were in the market for freewheels at all, I've considered masking off the smaller cogs and spraying or brushing some kind of copper/brass-colored paint on the biggest cog. That way, even if not an exact match, it would look way better. The cogs on SunTour freewheels didn't always match exactly either.
I needed a 5-speed a few years ago for a keeper, and found a good looking one in China, like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18534047304...temCondition=3
Not ramped, but works fine for my grocery getter.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18534047304...temCondition=3
Not ramped, but works fine for my grocery getter.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,702
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1947 Post(s)
Liked 2,008 Times
in
1,107 Posts
Wait a minute.
You cold set to 130mm? I did that once so I could use a 7 speed cassette with a spacer on a 130mm OLD freehub. If you put the OG wheel back in your 130 drop outs, they will come back to 126 and you are back to square one.
get a longer axle or a new hub.
edit: the spacer is behind the cassette
You cold set to 130mm? I did that once so I could use a 7 speed cassette with a spacer on a 130mm OLD freehub. If you put the OG wheel back in your 130 drop outs, they will come back to 126 and you are back to square one.
get a longer axle or a new hub.
edit: the spacer is behind the cassette
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
Last edited by Classtime; 08-20-22 at 04:21 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
If you went to 130 I think you can go 8, 9 or 10 in back.
Likes For seypat:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,153
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2363 Post(s)
Liked 1,749 Times
in
1,191 Posts
Thicker locknut as mentioned, or check the spacer stack on each side, see if you can swap them around to give you 1mm more on the drive side. Whatever you do, you'll need to have 1mm less on the NDS anyway. And yes, you'll have to re-center the rim between the locknuts.
#15
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,619
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3880 Post(s)
Liked 6,468 Times
in
3,200 Posts
Likes For SurferRosa:
#16
Count Orlok Member
Thread Starter
Wait a minute.
You cold set to 130mm? I did that once so I could use a 7 speed cassette with a spacer on a 130mm OLD freehub. If you put the OG wheel back in your 130 drop outs, they will come back to 126 and you are back to square one.
get a longer axle or a new hub.
edit: the spacer is behind the cassette
You cold set to 130mm? I did that once so I could use a 7 speed cassette with a spacer on a 130mm OLD freehub. If you put the OG wheel back in your 130 drop outs, they will come back to 126 and you are back to square one.
get a longer axle or a new hub.
edit: the spacer is behind the cassette
#17
Wheelman
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Putney, London UK
Posts: 843
Bikes: 1982 Holdsworth Avanti (531), 1961 Holdsworth Cyclone
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 295 Post(s)
Liked 673 Times
in
339 Posts
Another vote for the Sunrace 7 speed freewheel (13-15-17-19-21-24-28) MFM30 7CS,
which is all chrome finish and I've fitted it on 127mm OLD (Campag nuovo tipo hub).
It's £21 on ebay (UK).
which is all chrome finish and I've fitted it on 127mm OLD (Campag nuovo tipo hub).
It's £21 on ebay (UK).
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,484
Mentioned: 102 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1639 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 828 Times
in
537 Posts
Some bikes with 126mm OLD at the rear triangle cannot readily accommodate 7 speed FW's.
I found that out when I tried to install a 7 speed freewheel on my 1984 Peugeot PY19FC. The smallest cog could not clear the drive side seat stay bottom end.
It turns out that the frameset was designed by Peugeot to have seatstays are a bit closer together, above the dropouts, compared to other bikes with 126mm OLD spacing. So I'm stuck with just a 6 speed FW on the bike.
I found that out when I tried to install a 7 speed freewheel on my 1984 Peugeot PY19FC. The smallest cog could not clear the drive side seat stay bottom end.
It turns out that the frameset was designed by Peugeot to have seatstays are a bit closer together, above the dropouts, compared to other bikes with 126mm OLD spacing. So I'm stuck with just a 6 speed FW on the bike.
#19
Count Orlok Member
Thread Starter
As an update, I dropped By Express Bike Shop. They sold me four spacers for a dollar, in a variety of thicknesses from .8mm to 3mm. Then I checked my 7 speed freewheel, and it also jumps from 24T to 34T. I could have sworn it had a 28T cog on it. So there's really no need to replace my 6 speed now, but if I find a suitable freewheel I can give it a try.