Originally Posted by
dddd
So I will recommend keeping the DT shifters firstly, if the OP isn't set on using integrated shift/brake levers!
I'm not too keen on the downtube shifting; I think my upgrade will include brifters, should I be able to find a pair at a reasonable price.
Originally Posted by
RoadGuy
An 11T top gear is a pretty stiff row, unless your big chainring is a 50T. When I was riding a lot, I seldom pushed the 12T top cog on on 7-speed cassettes. A 14T was more to my liking with a 52Tor 53T. I took the 12-28 cassettes off my bikes and usually sported 14-28, although I'm running 13-28 on a lot of my 8-speed bikes now.
A 7 speed Shimano freewheel should go right on your existing rear wheel.
Thanks for the info on the 11t vs 14t. I've got a 14t used with a Sugino 42/52 crankset now, and with my ride having many slightly downhill segments (lots of up/down on my commute ride), I find myself spinning out on those segments. I figure an 11t might help in those sections.
Since the threads are pretty standard, I think my plan of action will be to keep my existing rims/hubs, pick up a 7sp shimano freewheel and pick up a Shimano rx100 rder, fder, crankset (rebuild my current bracket) and pick up new brakes, as the springs on mine are pretty shot.
Looking around, the local craigslist is pretty sparse on donor bikes (with the exception of beat up mountain bikes), but ebay prospects don't look bad.
Hopefully I'm not doing anything too wrong with this approach?