gnrboyd

I'm overhauling an early 80s Raleigh Rapide 10 speed road bike (2 chain rings x 5 ring freewheel) and need to install a new chain. I'm new to bike repairs and don't really know if there is a special chain I need or if any will work. I was in a local sporting goods store and they had a Shimano IG70. The clerk thought it would work but I could tell he really didn't know for sure. I bought it and thought I'd check with the forum before I took it out of the package. I looked at the description of this chain on a couple of on-line retailers and they said it was an 8 speed chain. I presume this is meaning 8 rings on the cassette/freewheel. I would also presume that having fewer rings (in my case 5) wouldn't hurt anything since they are probably farther apart than on an 8 ring cassette. Am I correct? If this isn't a good choice of chains for my purpose, could you please explain why and what other chain you might recommend ?

Thank you

DOS

The 8 speed chain should work fine. I have a SRAM 870 on my 5 speed; no problems.

Sturmcrow

The only reason it wouldn't be a good chain is economy. You might be able to get a 5-speed specific chain for less money, but riding around town to find the best deal would probably cost you more time than the money you'd save.

HillRider

Shimano IG chains work very well and are usually reasonably priced. I used IG90 chains (same chain but a bit prettier) for years and many, many thousands of miles on 6, 7 and 8-speed drivetrains and paid $15 or less for them.

One problem you may run into with your overhaul. If the current freewheel cogs are worn, a new chain of any type or make will skip under load and it won't be the chain's fault. Unless the freewheel has VERY low miles, plan on changing it too.

gnrboyd

Ok, thanks for the info. The chain was 14.99. Some of the cheap ones I saw on-line were anywhere from 7-10 dollars but I questioned the quality. I'm sure they would have been fine for my purpose.

I really hadn't thought about replacing the freewheel. It looks pretty good to me but then again I don't really know much about bike repair. Here is a photo....what do you think? (.... and yes, I do know how ugly and dirty it is.) Thanks

Freewheel-2.jpg

Panthers007

A 6,7,8 speed chain is also the "new" 5-spd. chain. Only when you get to 9-spd. do you need something different, marked specifically for a 9-spd. cassette.

If any teeth on the freewheel are broken, or look like ocean-waves coming towards a beach, or are ground way down compared to others - you need a new freewheel. But you should get it cleaned and greased. Take it to a LBS for that. Even us bike-mechanics hate that job!

Happy Trails!

HillRider

Well, base on your picture, the freewheel is dirty and a bit rusty but it doesn't tell me if it's worn enough to skip with a new chain. Install the chain and try it. If the chain skips on any of the cogs, get a new freewheel immediately.

Bill Kapaun

I get the KMC Z-51? at my local "outdoor store" for $6. Plenty good enough for a 5 speed. I use them on my 7 & 8 speeds.
I just put a new one on each Spring. I flip enough bikes that I can alway use up the old ones. If I didn't, I'd probably wait until I had 3-4 and then do a "mass inspection/cleaning/oiling" at a convenient time and then "rotate" through them.

gnrboyd

It looks like rust in the photo but I think it's just 28 years worth of road grundge. I am going to clean it off after I get it off the wheel. (I have to buy the tool before I can get it off.) Now I'm starting to wonder if I should just replace it just to be sure. I guess that brings up more questions ... Do they even make 5 speed freewheels? Will a 6 or 7 work with my current derailleurs ? My chain rings look pretty good (to me away) and I read somewhere that you replace the freewheel more often than the chainrings so I hope I'm ok with those.

This is kind of starting to feel like the time I gutted my kitchen and replaced everything. You start off thinking you will do a face lift and end up with a gut job. One thing just leads to another.

6.00 for a chain at a local outdoor store sounds like a bargain. Is that chain store (no pun intended) or just a local mom and pop?

Thanks again everyone for your input.

Panthers007

A 6-spd. freewheel should work in the same spacing as your 5-spd. It was common back then for people to switch to 6-spd. as these became popular. But I can't say for certain. Here's a link to 5, 6, 7...freewheels. Even NOS (new, old-stock) SunTours:

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/freewheels.html#5

Oh yes - your RD may need a bit of adjustment if you do so. Perhaps the FD as well.

Bill Kapaun

It's a PNW area franchise. Joe's, formerly known as GI Joes.