Jixr

Hi all, so I have a Gitane from the early 70's, and i'd like to make it a little more relaxed gearing for easier hill climbing.

The stock crankset is really nice, and i don't know how easy it would be to find a smaller chain ring that would fit, but was wondering if anyone makes a 5-6 speed rear freewheel that has larger gearing for easier hill climbing? as my bike sits, i never use the front large chain ring as i'm not strong enough to constantly pedal in that gearing.

3speedslow

What is the largest cog number on your freewheel?

icepick_trotsky 

What rear derailleur are you using?

Jixr

hi all, sorry, i'm not too familiar with bikes.

The hub is the screw on type, not the cassette type, so i'd need to replace the whole thing.

I believe the largest rear cog on there now is a 28t

My crankset is a Stronglight 93 set

rear derailleur is an unknown aged shimano SIS system

jonwvara 

You could significantly lower gearing by installing a freewheel with a 34-tooth large cog, although that would likely require you to replace the derailleur. If you post a clear photo of the rear derailleur and freewheel, people here can probably tell you if it will handle a 34-tooth cog.

If a 34-tooth cog doesn't get you low enough, you could replace your existing small chainring with a 37-tooth ring from Red Clover Components (Red Clover Components - Red Clover Components - Bicycle Triplizers and Chainrings). If that won't get you low enough, you can install a triplizer ring that will convert your Model 93 double to a triple, from the same source.

Full disclosure: Red Clover Components is my own business, so no one would accuse me of being impartial in recommending it.

By the way, I agree with others who have advised against painting the bike. Clean it thoroughly and give it a good coat of wax and it will look like a well-maintained 40-year-old bike is supposed to look.

rootboy 

Another thing to consider. Is your rear hub the original one to the bike? Be aware that it COULD be a French threaded hub. In which case, you would need to use a freewheel with French threading.

Jixr

i'm at work, this is the only pictures I have on hand atm.





That chain ring looks nice, but economically I don't want to throw too much into this bike.

Jixr

No, I've replaced the original 27" wheels with a more modern 700c set.

Bruce27

Purchased this freewheel to use on my 1981 Trek. Had to also change the rear derailleur but it has really helped with the hills.

New Suntour 8 8 8 Multiple Free Wheel 5 Speed 14 18 22 28 34 for 1 2 x 3 32 CH | eBay

You just need to figure out the correct chain wrap your current RD can handle and go from there.

CliffordK

When I was last at CAT in Eugene, there was a rather large looking freewheel on their wall. I didn't count the teeth, but it must have had 40 teeth on it. Those kinds of things usually cost $10 to $20 each.

Let me know if you want something that is truly HUGE.

As mentioned, it may exceed the capacity of many vintage derailleurs.

thumpism 

Your inner ring looks like it might be a 42T or even larger. The 93 crank takes rings down to 38T, I believe. Might be cheaper and easier to find one of these than to spring for a new freewheel and rear derailleur. Of course, this brings up other gearing issues, but if your only concern is a lower gear for hillclimbing consider a smaller inner ring.

pastorbobnlnh 

From my perspective that is not a 28T sprocket on your freewheel. Looks more like 24-26T.

I can see why you only use the small chain ring! Since it is missing the FD. Jus' saying!

John E

I agree w/ Bob. That sure looks like a 14-15-17-19-21 cluster to me -- a 14-28 or 13-28 cluster would make a huge difference.

You can probably keep your stock derailleur with something like 52-38 / 14-28, which would require changing only the inner chainring and the freewheel. For even better shifting, consider 49-38 or 48-38 / 13-28. The hardest part, I think, will be finding the 122mm BCD chainrings for this project.

You may also wish to consider using an ultra 6-speed freewheel, which will require only about 2-3mm of additional OLD width. 14-16-18-21-24-28 would preserve your tight progression up top while giving you two new lower gears on the bottom.

The Golden Boy 

No crap... I just was looking for some derailleur hanger pictures and stumbled on your blog post- I linked to it- and I even said "I think a forum member does this page."

The link is still on my clipboard.
Derailleur Hangers Demystified - Red Clover Components

rootboy 

Salamandrine 

I like your original idea to get a smaller inner chainring. Most likely it has 45/52 front chainrings now, which was pretty standard at the time, but pretty high for non racers. The rear does look like a 14-21 or maybe 14-23 racing cluster also. Swapping out the chainring in that size is a bit pricey, but probably still is not going to cost as much as a new freewheel, new chain, and new derailleur.

Search ebay for 122 BCD chainrings. If you're patient, you may be able to come up with a 40t or something for maybe ~$50ish. As already mentioned, Red Clover has those 122bcd 37T, which are fairly priced considering the custom machining and the small market for these things. In the interest of competition, Gebhardt sells a 38T for not too much, though they are hard to get. (i have one)

3alarmer 

...you can still buy 122 BCD chainrings for your crank brand new, but youi have to order them from France. The ones they have are of the sizes (in terms of teeth) that you are looking for, but IIRC, the last ones I bought were not countersunk for the chainring bolts. YOu can either just use them as is with a slightly different appearance, or go to the trouble of countersinking the bolt holes yourself.

XXcycle - Stronglight Chainring 122 mm second position - en

XXcycle - Stronglight Chainring 122 mm first position - en

eschlwc

a bigger rear cog will make more of a difference than a small ring.

if the hub threading is standard/english, and the current large rear cog is 26t or smaller, do buy a new 14-28t freewheel. i prefer the ird brand, but the less expensive sunrace freewheels as listed on ebay perform just fine.

jonwvara 

Thanks for making my day. I wasn't sure if anyone had ever read any of my blog postings.

Rocky Gravol

I read your blog postings.

They're quite informative, and easy reading.