I agree about riding not displaying. If I could find a new wide range freewheel with the same ratios as my old one, I'd totally forget about the aesthetics. Are the quality freewheels you're referring to NOS suntour and shimano, or does someone currently make something similar to the old suntour and shimano wide range 5 and 6 speeds?
Don't like shimano mega-range 6 speed because the big jump from 24 to 34 really screws up my shift pattern with a 52/39 chainset. I like all the sort of half steps (more like 1/3 steps) that I get in the middle of my range now. IRD 14-34 or 13-32 6 speeds are
really close to what I'm used to, but like I said above, I've seen quite a few complaints about pawls failing to engage in those freewheels. It's a lot to pay for something that's not going to be reliable.
Definitely want a 32T or 34T big cog. I have some steep hills around here.
Originally Posted by
Wilfred Laurier
you can still find good quality 5 speed freewheels
if you look
maybe not with skip tooth cogs
but this is a bike to be ridden rather than display in a museum