Classic & Vintage - Vintage Alloy freewheels

Hey all...

I'm building up my '73 Paramount and I want to keep it somewhat era-correct but as light as possible (I'm running mostly late 70's Super Record stuff) Stock freewheel was a steel Regina 6-speed that weighs a ton.....so I'm gonna pass on that. Besides vintage Campy Alloy or Regina Record freewheels (too expensive right now) are there any good, light alloy freewheels from the 70's or early 80's that I can look for?

Did Regina make any other alloy freewheels? Gipiemme? Miche? Ofmega?

Thanx!

Zues, Everest, Suntour all made alloy freewheels. the Suntour was only relatively light in the wider ratios, straight blocks were almost the same weight as steel.

I usta be heavily invested into zeus 2000 freewheels. Had two bodies and about a thousand cogs (well, maybe fifteen or so, really). They are very light, and cool looking if you keep 'em clean. But they are expensive and, well, made of aluminum. I swear I could feel the chain grinding 'em down as I rode. I finally couldn't stand it any more and sold 'em all on eBay a couple of years ago.

I still have an alloy suntour microlite, but as number6 says, it is no big weight saving. I think it has exactly the same body as a regular suntour, just alloy cogs.

The America SL from Regina can be purchased reasonably sometimes on eBay (people don't know what they are, I think). The vintage is too new for a proper build of a '73 paramount, but you'd have to have it on the concours before anyone would notice ("Um...six speed alloy freewheel. Minus 15, don't you think?")

Don't forget the Maillard with the aluminum body and cogs. Model was 700 Pro but if the box if missing the cover plates usually say Course like other Maillard freewheels. However, there's no confusing what you've got, once you pick one up! Very light! My straight block weighs in at 135g. However, the durability leaves a LOT to be desired.

Wow,they were going to 6 speeds that early?I was heavily into bikes then,and 6 speed freewheels didn't seem to become much until about 1979-80 where I was-New Orleans.Of course NO wasn't and isn't the center of the bike universe,and there wasn't any internet-just maybe 1-2 monthly mags.

This Regina Extra Record(slightly beat up removal notches)5 speed-alloy cogs,partially alloy body- 13-22 is 198 grams-the Suntour Winner alloy cogs 13-17 is 230 grams.A Zeus 2000 5 speed 14-23 weighed 254 grams-all alloy cogs except the 14t.A standard regina extra 14-26 5 speed weighs 405 grams.Thanks,Charlie
Too bad you aren't looking for a 5 speed

Phoebesis...

I could throw on a 5-speed, why not? I really like Regina Records so I'd compromise on that. Do you want to sell it or trade for something?

T-Mar: Don't Maillard freewheels have french threading?

Lurker: Regina America SL is good option albeit era incorrect. I'll look for one. The regular Regina America works well as barbell freeweights at the gym.

Wow,they were going to 6 speeds that early?I was heavily into bikes then,and 6 speed freewheels didn't seem to become much until about 1979-80 where I was-New Orleans.Of course NO wasn't and isn't the center of the bike universe,and there wasn't any internet-just maybe 1-2 monthly mags.

This Regina Extra Record(slightly beat up removal notches)5 speed-alloy cogs,partially alloy body- 13-22 is 198 grams-the Suntour Winner alloy cogs 13-17 is 230 grams.A Zeus 2000 5 speed 14-23 weighed 254 grams-all alloy cogs except the 14t.A standard regina extra 14-26 5 speed weighs 405 grams.Thanks,Charlie
Too bad you aren't looking for a 5 speed

1969 Raleigh Professional was one of the earlier production models with 6 speed freewheel.

USAZORRO-wow,we were really behind the times here in NO.In 1974 I bought a Bottechia Pro(mis-spelled??-2 c's?).It was "full Campy" except for the brakes-Universal 61- and was close to state of the art for New Orleans in 1974-and it was a 5 speed.6 speeds didn't come on the scene until 79-80.Of course,NO is very flat(and low unfortunately),so 10 speeds were plenty-12 seemed absurd.
M-theory-I just sold the near twin of the alloy(13-21) Regina on ebay($71),and had sorta planned on keeping this one since the removal notch is kinda chewed up.This one might have just a couple of take offs left on it before it becomes a permanent part of a wheel.This one actually has slightly nicer cogs,but crummy removal slots(twice normal size).Thanks.Charlie

T-Mar: Don't Maillard freewheels have french threading?

Like most manufacturers of the era, Maillard offered their freewheels in various threading to increase their market base. I wish my 700 Pro was French, as I have a set of superlight wheels with French threaded hubs that are waiting for a good French frame. Unfortunately, it's English threaded. Maillard's later, English threaded freewheels have the thread standard stamped on the collar of the freewheel removal ring, while the earlier English models have a rectangular punch mark on the back of the body. The early French models are unmarked. I'm not sure about the later French models.