Bicycle Mechanics - Uniglide 7 speed cassette question.

I purchased a Dura-Ace wheel off of ebay that has a 126mm rear hub that is designed for a UniGlide 7 speed cassette. The wheel does not include the cassette. I'm trying to determine if I have to get the Dura-Ace version of the Uniglide cassette or am I okay with any 7speed uniglide cassette. I seem to remember that early Dura Ace cassette hubs had some incompatibilities with other, similar cassettes, but I think it might only apply if trying to use a 12 tooth locking cog. Am I O.K. so long as I stick to a 13 tooth cog?
Thanks for your help- I'm actually excited about this wheel since its a 28 spoke, takes a tubular tire and has the 126mm spacing I need for my 1978 masi and if it can hold up my #230 pounds for occasional use for special events, and index as well, I'll be thrilled. Here's a link to the wheel by the way: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7247008150&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT .
And here's a link to the cassette I'm considering using: http://cgi.ebay.com/Very-Rare-Original-Uniglide-Twist-Tooth-7-Spd-Cassette_W0QQitemZ7249141623QQcategoryZ42332QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem .
Let me know what you think, thanks.

From Loose Screws (www.loosescrews.com): "The two smallest (1st and 2nd postiton) Dura Ace cogs are unique; only Dura Ace cogs can be used in these positions on a Dura Ace uniglide cassette hub."

Any idea where I might obtain the elusive Dura Ace uniglide cluster other than watching ebay like a hawk?

Try Loose Screws as above. They have all kinds of obsolete parts.

i'm not sure if dura-ace is an exception to this, but the outer threads on the cassette body are for the 'locking' outer cog. the cassette you are looking at wasn't designed for your DA hub. my guess if you don't want to search for for NOS stuff you can easily change out the cassette body with a new HG body by inserting a 10mm hex key straight down the middle and unscrewing it. This would let you get a modern 7sp cassette body, leave better upgrade options for the future when the cassette wears out, and lets you more easily upgrade. HG shifts miles better that UG anyway. oh and i have that exact UG cassette on my commuter.

The bad news is that uniglide cassettes aren't made any more and the chances of finding them are slim.


You can change out the cassette body with a new Hyperglide one, a one of a kind DA part, but the part and a new cassette will cost around a $100.

Talk to your local bikeshop. Personally, I'd just buy a new wheelset.

i'm not sure if dura-ace is an exception to this, but the outer threads on the cassette body are for the 'locking' outer cog. the cassette you are looking at wasn't designed for your DA hub. my guess if you don't want to search for for NOS stuff you can easily change out the cassette body with a new HG body by inserting a 10mm hex key straight down the middle and unscrewing it. This would let you get a modern 7sp cassette body, leave better upgrade options for the future when the cassette wears out, and lets you more easily upgrade. HG shifts miles better that UG anyway. oh and i have that exact UG cassette on my commuter.

Dura-Ace is an exception. Before the move to 9-speed in 1997, there were a number of interchangeability issues with Dura-Ace hubs, derailers and shifters.

I have a detailed article on this at http://sheldonbrown.com/dura-ace

The Dura-Ace Uniglide threaded (top) sprocket is a different thread from other Uniglides (smaller to permit use of an 11 tooth sprocket.)

The Dura-Ace Freehub body does not attach with a separate bolt, and doesn't use a 10 mm Allen wrench. The body has a built-on male thread, and requires a special splined tool. (We will lend you the tool if you buy a replacement body from us.)

There was never a 7-speed Hyperglide body for Dura-Ace, but we have the 8-speed Hyperglide body (which also works for 9- and 10-speed cassettes) but it means going to 130 mm spacing.

http://harriscyclery.com/k7

You are not the first to discover that a "bargain" old Dura-Ace item is not such a "bargain" after all.

Sheldon "May Not Be Worth It" Brown