schristi69

I have a late 80's Novara Strada that I am considering upgradingn as parts are hard to come by. Bike has a Shimano Exage Sport group, 6sp Uniglide hub and SIS/friction down tube shifters. My primary focus is I need new wheels. The current ones were "straightened" after an altercation with a van. The mechanic said they probably could not be trued many more times. I would like to upgrade to 7sp Hyperglide as these cassettes are easier to find. I would like recommendations on what components to upgrade to without having to spread my frame. I was looking at Shimano 105SC, but these seem to be just as rare. My shifters should work in friction mode with 7sp. Do I need to replace front and rear derailuers? Front chainring is a 42/52 combo. I ditched the Biopace a long time ago. I expect I will need a new chain also. I also prefer to stay with Shimano if possible. Product numbers would be a great help.

Torchy McFlux

Going from 6-speed to 7 will require a new cassette, rear hub, and shifter (if you want indexing). If your chain has much mileage put into it, it will likely need replacing too.
Have you considered just using a 6-speed Shimano freewheel with a threaded rear hub? Shimano freewheels are inexpensive and easy to get. A Tourney HG 13-28 can be had for about $20.

wrk101

What six speed stuff is hard to find? I wouldn't spend a lot to go from 6 to 7 speed. I would save up and eventually make the big jump to 8/9/10 speed. If I was going to buy new wheels, I would definitely go with the higher speed stuff.

It is almost always cheaper to just buy another newer used bike with the components you want.

schristi69

Any 6 pseed stuff is hard to find. I am finding even older 105 stuff hard to find. I do not want to spread my frame which leaves me with 6 or 7 speed with 126mm width. All newer gear is wider. 7 speed Hyperglide cassettes seem to be readily available. The Exage group was pretty much an entry level group for touring and shifting was never that great. 7 speeds will give me a greater range in both the low and high range. Since I have to have a new wheel built, the 105 group seems the best choice. This bike is primarily a trainer. I have a Trek 2300 for events. I am taking the Novara in for a tune up and I am wanting options if they tell me things are worn out. I have found a new set of shifters, a new 28-12 cassette, a used rear hub and a used derailluer. I was going with a full Ultegra 5500 group till I found out abut the frame spreading. My other option was to find a frame and put that group on it. Not many cheap used bikes out there. The Novara frame is still good and it is actuall cheaper to upgrade than to get a decent used bike with 9/10spd.

BCRider

As you say the 7 speed cassettes are still easy to find new. And the hubs turn up quite regular on older bikes. Don't turn up your nose at even an older 7 speed mountain bike hub either. With a change of some spacers and a chop saw to the axle you can convert it back to a 126mm axle. And from there a new back wheel is just a rim and some spokes away. If nothing else you'll want to keep shopping for good used components anyhow so you have a small stock of 7 speed hubs to canabalize for freehubs and cones or eventual hub swap if the bearing cups go bad. With a bit of careful hunting for NOS or good used parts you could set up a small storehouse of parts to keep that bike running for years as a 7 speed.

In line with that if it were me I'd be keeping my eyes open for some 7 speed indexed levers for the frame or maybe barcons to move the shifting up. Again none of this would cost the world and if you're happy with the bike it would keep it in service for years to come yet and do it for quite cheap if you shop carefully and frugally.