daveinfuleffect

I have an 80's Cinelli 6 speed bike and I want to put on a new wheelset to change from Tubular to Clincher but being a bit of a novice with tech stuff I have some questions, maybe someone out there can help. The rear spacing is 127mm, can I still use a new 130mm wheelset and just force it in a bit? Also, the original gears are thread on freewheel but all the new wheelsets are cassette type compatible, how do I find a modern six speed cassette to fit the modern wheelset? Or can I get a 9 speed cassette and just use 6 cogs? Any info would help.... Thanks!!

BLACK BIKE

Most modern rear road hubs use a 130mm spacing. You can probably just shove it in there without problems, but the correct method would be to to respace your frame through cold setting.

Do it yourself instructions can be found here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing

It's really not very difficult, but since you say you are a novice you may want to have your LBS do it.

Little Darwin

If you have indexed shifting and want to retain it, then you need to find a set of wheels that would accomodate a 6 speed freewheel or cassette.

For friction shifting, put on an 8 speed cassette, adjust the upper and lower limit screws and you are golden (assuming your derailleur is capable).

Check out the C&V forum for additional advice, and if your tubular wheels are in good shape, you might get some help by someone swapping you for a good set of clinchers. And they'll want to see pictures of your bike.

daveinfuleffect

Cool, thanks for that. Then for the gears, assuming I get the wheelset on ok then I have also switched to to switch to a Cassette rather than thread on. If I throw a 10 speed cassette on there will it just work? Can I keep it a 6 by just using 6 cogs?

BCRider

Depends on the old indexing spacing of the freewheel. If it's the same as a 7 to 8 speed then it'll work. If it's Suntour or something else it won't match the spacing.

Also if this is to work without a lot of fussing over spacers then it'll be with an old style 7 or 8 speed. The 9 and 10 speed stuff uses a narrower spacing than the older stuff to fit in the extra cogs. The 7/8 speed stuff is iffy but the 9/10 is a non starter without a huge amount of fussing.

The other thought would be to change out the derraileur and shifter to more modern options. Or just go friction.

Flying Merkel

I recently did the same thing on my old Univega Super Strada. I had new rims laced to the old hubs. No problem, except the brake pads don't hit the rim at the same angle. For now, I'm just squeezing harder.