Originally Posted by cuda2k
I'm looking at upgrading the rims on my Schwinn Traveler to a set of alloy 27"ers that are 126mm spaced. I know that I will need to spead the rear triangle of the schwinn slightly to make the fit and that's not really a problem. What I'd like to know is if I'm going to have a problem with the current Shimano 400 series derailleur that is currently on the bike. I've tried to do some google searching but haven't turned up any resources that will tell me the tooth or cog number ability of this RD. I'm looking to put on a 6 or 7 speed freewheel with a 12-28t.
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!
Are you sure you need to spread the rear triangle. 126mm was standard for quite a while.
I have an older Cannondale touring bike with 126 spacing, 5 cog freewheel and Sachs Huret touring derailleur. Due to a problem with the tire/wheel interface, I had to quickly come up with another rear wheel; no time to change freewheels. I took a wheel with a SunTour 6 cog, 13-28 freewheel off an old Nishiki Olympic (same 27" x 1/ 1/8 wheel/tire size as Cannondale's) and simply adjusted the Cannondale's rear derailleur to cover the side to side travel range needed for the 6-speed. That took less than five minutes. No re-dishing the wheel, no fussing with the chain, no spreading the rear triangle (not possible on the aluminum C'dale), no new derailleurs. The set up shifted almost as well as the original 5-speed, just a little rougher, and that could have been due to the wear state of the 6-speed freewheel. But it didn't throw the chain or anything worse.
Try it.