I think the 6/7 speed transition came around in 85/86, but I beleive that the 7 speeds did not stay around too long as 8 speeds and 130+mm rear hub spacing came up with indexed shifting very shortly after. Both my bikes have 126mm spacing and I'm trying to get them both up to 14 speeds with Maillard 7 speed freewheels for non indexed systems are getting harder to find (lots of Maillard/Sachs 7 speeds out there yet though, for indexed Sachs based systems). Most out there are well used and sometimes just too worn out already. Lots of them are also 12-18 tooth "corn cobs" which makes for crazy (non existant) climbing ratios with my 52-53/42 rings. My 13/21 6 speed Spidel 700 FW cogset is hard enough to push these days.......what the heck am I thinking with these 7 speeds??!...... I guess I have to find a good source for bigger cogs for my 7 speed FWs. It does not help when trying to stay "Tout French" with my French 80's bike is also making it harder to get the right freewheels.

Chombi