Bicycle Mechanics - Freewheel compatability

My bike has an SIS 6 speed drivetrain with a 14-28 http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Shimano-Shimano-MF-TZ-06-6-Speed-Hyperglide-Freewheel-14-28-17874.htm I want to change the gearing. Will any shimano/suntour freewheel work as a suitable replacement? This is what I'm thinking about, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160362978006&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT or this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260478279116&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT. Will these freewheels fit and shift normally?

Thanks!

Standard 6s freewheels, all have the same spacing so there's no problem making the switch. (There is also a narrower 6s freewheel that uses 7s spacing to fit 6s onto hubs made for 5s. I tell you so you can avoid one of these if you find one).

Depending on the age of your chain, you should replace it at the same time. Running an old chain on a new freewheel will rapidly age the freewheel to the same relative age as the chain.

It'll fit, but you have several problems. The FW's listed are all 'used' and there's no way to tell how worn they are and the cogs appear to be non-index (not ramped) compatible...so shifting may be dodgy even if you use friction shifters. Then you need to buy the FW removal tool(s).

Better to buy one of IRD Defiant Freewheels (http://www.interlocracing.com/freewheels_steel.html). They're new and the gearing choices is similar to the ones you are interested in. IRD uses the Park Tool FR-1 removal tool. Suntour offers a 14-19 FW:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/freewheels.html

FBinNY, The reason I'm considering changing the freewheel is because I put a new SRAM chain on and it skips. I thought since I was changing the freewheel I would try different gearing. How do I differentiate between a standard 6s and a narrow 6s?

Sci-Fi, I was only using those as examples. I will be buying a new freewheel. Can you explain what I should look for so I would know that a freewheel is index compatible?

Thanks

The IRD Defiant Freewheels do look nice.

Can you explain what I should look for so I would know that a freewheel is index compatible?

Get a Shimano HyperGlide 6-speed freewheel. It will work much better than any other 6-speed freewheel.

You can no longer get new Shimano Uniglide or Suntour freewheels unless you can find them new-old-stock (NOS). I don't even know if Sachs still makes new 6-speed freewheels but years ago my brother bought a new 13-21 Sachs 6-speed for his Shimano equipped bike. Sunrace may still make some but they aren't as good as the Shimanos.

The narrow 6 was made by Suntour and called "Ultra-6". You cannot get new ones anymore.

edit: just saw those IRD Defiants - with their shifting ramps and profiled teeth, they should work as well as a Shimano HG and you can get something other than 14-28 or 14-34

http://www.loosescrews.com/index.cgi?c=Freewheel&sc=Complete%20Freewheels&id=15816715181

Sci-Fi, I was only using those as examples. I will be buying a new freewheel. Can you explain what I should look for so I would know that a freewheel is index compatible?

Thanks

You can tell by just looking at the cogs. The indexed cogs will be 'ramped'/beveled while the non-indexed cogs are straight cut. The item description 'should' be specific too. Usually see non-indexed FW's offered in Europe but almost non-existent stateside. Can see what I'm referring to by looking at the pictures of non and indexed FW's here:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-Freewheels--6-Speed-78.htm

Lot of inexpensive 6-speed FW's if you look around. Bikeman has this Shimano 14-34 for $14.00 USD:
http://www.bikeman.com/FW8110.html
Loosescrews can custom build one:
http://www.loosescrews.com/Products/LS-CFW613.html

The narrow 6 was made by Suntour and called "Ultra-6". You cannot get new ones anymore.


Yellow Jersey claims to still have some Ultra-6 freewheels:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/stfw.html
(Holy Cats, who does their web pages? :eek: )

but just about anything made since the early '90's will be compatible with "standard" 6-speed spacing. Those Regina freewheels on the SJS site are NOS from the '80's- I remember them and the neat tin cans they came in.

Don't worry about the difference between Uniglide twist tooth versus Hyperglide ramped-side cogs. There are differences in performance, such as being able to make a shift while stationary with Hyperglide (it'll pick up the chain better when you start moving again). But functionally there's minimal difference between Uniglide vs. Hyperglide; they'll both index just fine with 6-spd shifters.

You can tell by just looking at the cogs. The indexed cogs will be 'ramped'/beveled while the non-indexed cogs are straight cut. Got it, thanks.

The IRD Defiant Freewheels do look nice.

:thumb: Nice to see somebody, somewhere is stepping up to the plate and keeping "obsolete" technology alive. American-made and not outrageously priced. I've seen alot of old Peugeots and Raleighs that would benefit from these clusters.

:thumb: Nice to see somebody, somewhere is stepping up to the plate and keeping "obsolete" technology alive. American-made and not outrageously priced. I've seen alot of old Peugeots and Raleighs that would benefit from these clusters.

Obsolete technology is obsolete for a reason.

Obsolete technology is obsolete for a reason.

Obsolete only in obsolete minds :lol:


Freewheels and cassettes both do what they are supposed to do. I like freewheels so much I'm getting a new pair built up with Phil touring hubs.

Obsolete only in obsolete minds :lol:


Freewheels and cassettes both do what they are supposed to do. I like freewheels so much I'm getting a new pair built up with Phil touring hubs.

That's unfortunate. Could you please link a 9, 10 or 11 speed freewheel please?

That's unfortunate. Could you please link a 9, 10 or 11 speed freewheel please?

Not everyone wants or needs 8,9,10 or 11 speed clusters. Don't you get that yet! :lol:

But hey ... there are 9 speed freewheels if someone needs one . http://www.amazon.com/SunRace-9-Speed-Freewheel-13-32t/dp/B002MUIUXU

Not everyone wants or needs


The mantra of obsoleteness.

Obsolete only exists between the ears.

Obsolete in the american automotive industry means "we don't make it any more because we found a cheaper design ". Sometimes the design is an improvement but most of the time it is for money savings.

Obsolete only exists between the ears.

Oh please.

You're one of a very few vocal minority who thinks having to buy a phil wood hub to justify using retardely deprecated technology is a good thing. There is absolutely no advantage to using a freewheel on a modern road bike whatsoever. Do us a favour and stop posting completely backwards stone age thinking

Oh please.

You're one of a very few vocal minority who thinks having to buy a phil wood hub to justify using retardely deprecated technology is a good thing. There is absolutely no advantage to using a freewheel on a modern road bike whatsoever. Do us a favour and stop posting completely backwards stone age thinking


Stone age thinking? Hmmm ......when was the stone age again ? :lol: I didn't know they rode bikes back then. Let see ..... Freewheels and hubs are still made today ...... I can't say that for anything form the stone age.

I agree, there is no advantage for using a freewheel on a modern bike whatsoever . . . . for you. Speak for yourself Operator.

As long as you disparage people for using freewheels ..... I'll be here to shovel it back at 'ya. You think you can get away with it because it's an internet forum ..... what's the worst that can happen to you ..... ban you? :lol: You've already been banned how many times? ..... yet BF always lets you back. No wonder your comments are so rude.

Whoa...calm down people. Freewheels are still common (mainly 7-speed) on entry level bikes, so it's not a vintage or 'X-Box' only thing. Cyclists at this forum probably wouldn't buy or own a FW bike, but those that do may want to try a different cog/ratio cluster setup for the conditions they ride in and having 'options' other than 14-34 is nice. Would blame the bike companies for not using more modern components for their entry level or low priced models, but even 7-8 speed cassettes are becoming scarce or have limited upgrade options and 9-speed cassettes may be next on the endangered list.

I agree, there is no advantage for using a freewheel on a modern bike whatsoever . . . . for you. Speak for yourself Operator.

I'm honestly curious. What advantage do you personally get with a freewheel over a cassette?

I'm honestly curious. What advantage do you personally get with a freewheel over a cassette?

He must sell rear axles :D

Freewheels are still made sot hat people with VINTAGE bikes can keep them VINTAGE. Really, no reason to fight over it. Its so simple you all get angry.

I have one bike with a freewheel, an old Schwinn MTB 10 speed...beater bike. If the freewheel locks up or something I will buy a new one for it. Im not gonna pour $300 into converting a $30 bike to 9 speed.

Those IRD Freewheels look great! Would be perfect for a nice vintage bike, of any flavor.

8 speed cassettes hard to find? NO WAY! I see them everywhere online, from low end to higher end, Mostly SRAM though (which I like better).

So, lets try to all get along, and quit acting like 2nd graders when somone took a crayon.

This freewheel bashing has gotten out of hand. The purpose of a forum is to air opinions, and while freewheels are passe, they are by no means obsolete. The fact that freehub/cassette designs have taken over has more to do with manufacturing and marketing considerations than technical ones and/or obsolescence.

If you want a reason to continue using freewheels here are three.

1- broader selection of sizes and the ability to custom build gearing of the users choice, free of the restrictions imposed by gated (hyperglide, by any other name) shifting.

2- the ability to easily respace a rear wheel, for example to achieve a dishless world with 6, or 7s. The marketing driven increase to ever more, and often non-beneficial gearing, has come at the cost of rear wheel durability, especially for bikes intended for rough service.

3- virtually bulletproof indestructibility, not that freehubs aren't durable, but if planning to ride in the third wheel, freewheel durability and availability more than offset any drawbacks.

I'm not a retro grouch claiming freewheels are a better design, or pushing them for all riders, but for some folks their advantages outweigh their disadvantages, and it's inappropriate to describe them as "obsolete".

I'm honestly curious. What advantage do you personally get with a freewheel over a cassette?


There's pros and cons to each. The "advantages" for myself are ....
1. Phil Wood FW hubs are bomb proof, and considerably less investment cost than a cassette hub. I don't consider Shimano hubs to be worthwhile, as I've used cartridge bearing hubs since the 80's, and won't be going back to cup/cones.
2. I have a stock of usable FW's, and if I need more, those currently produced are perfect for me. (13-24,13-28,13-32)
3. Overhauling FW's is quick and easy for me.. . and I prefer the hub and freewheel to be separate.
4. My wheels are built with a lower dish, and I have a better chainline than I do with cassette wheels for my cranksets. This means less wear on the cogs. I'm getting fantastic life out of Sachs FW cogs.
5. If I did want to use a 7 speed cassette, I'd have to use a spacer, which is silly to dish the wheel that much then not need it. And 7 speed cassettes? Show me a quality one in 12 or 13 to 28 or 32. Not Black.... in like 13,15,17,20,24,28 pattern? I've not seen any. I could make my own custom ones ..... at a fair expense I suppose...... but I'd still be wasting that 4.5mm space.
6. I friction shift, so I could care less about all the "shift aids" built into cassette cogs. No wonder cassette cogs don't last that long, they shave off half the cog! If if used FW's , you know what I'm talking about.
7. A good FW is still less $$ than a quality cassette, in many cases much less. As I said, FW cogs last a long long time too.

Yes, I've tried cassette wheels, but found I actually lost usable gears with more cogs. Live and learn.

I use FW's for no other reason than they work for me. Superior/inferior talk is just ego nonsense. Both systems work, and work well. Cassettes my be great for most , but not everyone. If I grew up in todays time I would likely use cassettes also as kids usually want what most other people are using.. But, I grew up when FW's were standard and find them perfect for my modest needs.

On the wholesale front, freewheel+hub tends to cost about 1/10th the cost of a basic freehub+cassette combo. When you're talking about selling billions of bikes, that adds up.

I don't consider cassettes Clasic or Vintage! IMHO. Oops wrong forum!
Compare what you get with a freewheel - cogs and ratchet mechanism for <$20. Now compare a cassette - no ratchet mechanism and a lot more $ for just teeth.

Flame me.

The only index shifting I have in on my mountain bike and I am not impressed.