Hub/Spacing Recommendations for Early 80's Schwinn MTB
06-19-12, 07:57 PM
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Hub/Spacing Recommendations for Early 80's Schwinn MTB
I was given a 1984 Schwinn Mesa Runner and plan to build it up as a bad weather commuter and hopefully trailer duty one day. It will be built and ridden as is but will eventually try dirt drops and bar end shifters. A paint job is will be in order as well.
I haven't measured the hub spacing since it's stored in an attic at the moment, but am convinced it is 120mm since it a 5 speed according to Mombat. The original hubs are steel and the plating seems to be flaking off, don't think they're salvageable aesthetically.
Going with worst case, they're going to replaced (steel rims need replacing too). Should I coldset the frame to 126mm and use a threaded freewheel or try spacing it at 130mm? If there are vintage mountain bike hubs spaced at 120mm I'll consider that too.
Another idea...thinking of adding canti mounts before painting and seat stay braze-ons for a rack
Thoughts?
I haven't measured the hub spacing since it's stored in an attic at the moment, but am convinced it is 120mm since it a 5 speed according to Mombat. The original hubs are steel and the plating seems to be flaking off, don't think they're salvageable aesthetically.
Going with worst case, they're going to replaced (steel rims need replacing too). Should I coldset the frame to 126mm and use a threaded freewheel or try spacing it at 130mm? If there are vintage mountain bike hubs spaced at 120mm I'll consider that too.
Another idea...thinking of adding canti mounts before painting and seat stay braze-ons for a rack
Thoughts?
06-19-12, 08:14 PM
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feros ferio
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My 1988 Schwinn takes 130mm (was originally a 6-speed, bought as a 7-speed freewheel, now 8-speed cassette).
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
06-19-12, 08:21 PM
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Yeah I have an 1987 Schwinn Sierra that is 6 speed and 130mm. With the 5 speed I was going off of Sheldon's site regarding the spacing
06-19-12, 08:34 PM
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)) <> ((
spread it all the way to 132.5 or 135 if you want to use modern wheels. i spread an 83 stumpjumper to 135. the only "catch" is that i am running it with a 7 speed cassette and a 4.5mm spacer on the outside. some bikes will not allow you to use 8 or 9 speeds because the outer cogs are so close to the chainstay.
06-19-12, 08:40 PM
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spread it all the way to 132.5 or 135 if you want to use modern wheels. i spread an 83 stumpjumper to 135. the only "catch" is that i am running it with a 7 speed cassette and a 4.5mm spacer on the outside. some bikes will not allow you to use 8 or 9 speeds because the outer cogs are so close to the chainstay.
06-19-12, 08:50 PM
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Phyllo-buster
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Maybe that bike's not worth all the investment...cantis, brakes, wheels, paint, bar cons, spreading, time etc. You can buy some sweet arse mtbs for not a lot of money. To be fair, I'm not familiar with that model but it seems entry level from the pics.
Ride it as is or just upgrade to alloy rims if you get them cheap.
Ride it as is or just upgrade to alloy rims if you get them cheap.
06-20-12, 04:54 AM
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Maybe that bike's not worth all the investment...cantis, brakes, wheels, paint, bar cons, spreading, time etc. You can buy some sweet arse mtbs for not a lot of money. To be fair, I'm not familiar with that model but it seems entry level from the pics.
Ride it as is or just upgrade to alloy rims if you get them cheap.
Ride it as is or just upgrade to alloy rims if you get them cheap.
06-20-12, 01:43 PM
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06-20-12, 01:47 PM
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Thrifty Bill
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Realize MTB spacing tends to be wider. Now if you build a wheel, sure, a 7 speed cassette road hub will get you there. I am considering that on my 1988 Univega (did not come with wheels). The MTB wheels I have laying around are all 135mm spacing, and that Univega is just 126mm. Squeezing in 130? No problem. Squeezing in 135? Not without cold set first.
06-20-12, 01:54 PM
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Realize MTB spacing tends to be wider. Now if you build a wheel, sure, a 7 speed cassette road hub will get you there. I am considering that on my 1988 Univega (did not come with wheels). The MTB wheels I have laying around are all 135mm spacing, and that Univega is just 126mm. Squeezing in 130? No problem. Squeezing in 135? Not without cold set first.
Another option would be to build it up as a single-speed/fixed-gear, in which case that 120mm spacing is perfect.
06-20-12, 05:46 PM
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Chainstay Brake Mafia
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some late 80s/early 90s Shimano mtb hubs can be converted from 135mm to 130mm.. they have a 5mm spacer
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=130+135
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=130+135
