Originally Posted by
bicyclridr4life
if you get a new freewheel why not upgrade to a 6 or 7 speed? with friction shifters you would not have to change them, ans your RD should have enough adjustment to cover 6, possibly 7 gears in back
Because the spacing will be wrong. Those old 5 speed Schwinn hubs are not spaced for 6/7 speed freewheels. You could always squeeze in a wider rear wheel, but that means additional $$.
Yes, to below, while Suntour Ultra 6 is an option, they tend to go high, really high. Even nice used ones go pretty high. And gearing is pretty limited due to a lack of supply.