Originally Posted by Urban Shooter
Anyone have any experience with the Nashbar freewheels? I have an old Nishiki 10-Speed and want to go from the current 5 speed freewheel to a 7 speed and also replace the double crank with a triple crank. I figure 21 speeds is all I need for the moment and I am too cheap to buy a brand new road bike. Nashbar seems pretty legit but I have not ordered from them yet.
I use them quite a bit and bought quite a few of them. I decided to go the Nashbar route on these when I started seeing NOS Suntour New Winners on ebay going for $60 USD. Geez, they didn't cost that much when they were new.
Any 7 speed Regina that comes up on ebay is just nuts.
The only caution I will give you is that a bike set up for 5 speed is probably spaced at 120 mm across the inside of the rear dropouts.
6 and 7 speed freewheels were typically put on bikes with 126 mm dropout spacing. Not a ton but enough.
If you are going to use a triple chainring, in which case you only need to put a longer axle spindle on, you will no doubt have more than enough gear range, just put on a wide range 5 speed cluster and you'll be golden.