Spinz

Will they function with an older Shimano STI 6 speed freewheel? I'd really like to loose the downtube shifters.
Thanks in advance. Lp

cs1

Yes, provided you use the correct freewheel for the brifter. Example, you need an 8 sp cassette for 8 sp brifters. Good luck

Tim

Calli46

I know, I know, its different but, anyway... This morning, I put an old 5 speed freewheel Mavic wheel in place of my 9 spd Ultegra Elite rear wheel. I had to add some washers to get to 130 mm width instead of the 120 mm of the old wheel. Then, I tried the bike on a trainer. I could get to some cogs ok but 3 out of 5 could not be reached with the Ultegra shifters. Those are indexed for narrower cogs and spaces between them. If the Sora brifters are 7-8 speeds, I think you will have the same problems I encountered. And if you try adjusting the rd, it will eventually work for some cogs but not for others.

Others can confirm (?) if the STI 6 spd downtube shifter is indexed for the same width as the Sora ?

JiveTurkey

See here for spacing: https://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#spacing

Normal 6-speed freewheels are spaced 5.3 mm from one cog to the next. However, if you have an "Ultra" 6-speed freewheel, it is spaced 5.0 mm, which is the same as 7- & 8-speed and should work with the Sora brifter.

Edit: Must have misread the chart. Campagnolo 8-speed spacing is 5.0 mm, but Shimano 8-speed is 4.8 mm. So, I don't think Sora 8-speed will index well to any 6-speed freewheel.

Little Darwin

Are you looking to use existing Sora brifters, or buying a set.

If you are looking to buy, buy a 7 speed set of brifters, and use a 7 speed freewheel.

I have seen new 7 speed Soras still available.