Teon

Going to be yanking off my original freewheel and servicing the rear hub, if it needs it, so figured I would get a newer freewheel since they aren't very expensive....plus, my freewheel is acting like it needs to be replaced or serviced anyways, so I might as well replace the thing.

Curious as to any recommendations for a good quality 7 speed freewheel. Fairly certain I have a 126mm spacing, so a 7 speed 130mm should work, if needed. (At least from everything I have read). Figured I would go with a Shimano Hyperglide.....but are there any others out there that I should look at? I currently have friction shifters, and a 2 speed crank. Bike is originally a 6 speed freewheel, suntour x-5000 components, on a Mallard sealed bearing hub. Was curious about the IRD 13-15-18-21-24-28-32 freewheel from Harris Cyclery, as there are a lot of hills around here as you get into the foothills, but nothing that I'll be needing an 'alpine range'.....at least not until I get on some very lengthy rides, which I imagine will be at least a year+ down the road....this freewheel seems like it might be a nice compromise between the standard road gearing and the 'alpine' geared version.

And yes, I'll be getting a new chain, too. Plus I will doublecheck the spacing on the rear before ordering. It's an '87 12 speed Schwinn, so it should have 126mm spacing, at least from everything I have read and researched.

Thanks for help and/or suggestions!

Edit: Never mind about the IRD freewheel.....just read a ton about durability issues with that particular freewheel. So, anything else that anyone would recommend that I look at besides Shimano?

gyozadude

If weight or finish isn't important, I've used and serviced dirt cheap shimano hyperglide freewheels for a few years now. Got the same unit as at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shimano-Freewheel/13012509

LesterOfPuppets

Some road rear derailers might balk at running bigger than 28 tooth cogs. Something to look out for.

I've a Sunrace 7-sp. freewheel that works pretty well. Not as happy about shifting on my Sunrace 8-sp cassette, but that's another story. Haven't put enough miles on the 7-sp to comment on durability.

sillygolem

Sunlite also sells Falcon 7 speed freewheels. I haven't had experience with this particular part, but I like their 5 speed model.

If you want to go wide range, Shimano Tourney Megarange derailleurs are cheap and will handle up to 34t.

caintuck

I've been using an IRD 6-speed M3-series freewheel for about a year now; daily (well almost) 20-mile round-trip commute. The freewheel has performed flawlessly and is very very quiet. I've heard the M3 solves the problems of the M1 and M2 series, but I dunno. I got a good one and am very happy with it. Just food for thought.

Teon

Thanks for the responses! Looks like I need to do a bit more research.

Sounds like the Harris Cyclery IRD 7 speeds are the newest Mark IV. With cain saying that the M3s have done good so far, yea, I definitely need to do some more research. The stuff that I read about lack of durability in the IRDs was a little dated, and the price is way more......I obviously need to weigh a few more options than I thought.....

Teon

Holy crap!!! That's a hyperglide for 10 bucks???? I thought 20 bucks was cheap from the bike places.....Walmart has freewheels???? Who knew??? (I don't normally shop the 'Evil Empire'.....but......every once in awhile......lol)

LesterOfPuppets

If you're in Portland, Universal Cycles has 'em for $16.00, 6-speed for $10. Just gotta weigh the instant gratification, shipping cost factors. Then you've got to worry about the possibility of buying the whole store if you step into a bike shop

I've gotten good used ones in town for about $5. Community Cycling Center, City Bikes, Bad Monkey (well, that's in my town, not Portland, but...)

Teon

Thanks, Lester! I'm not in Portland, but about 50 miles southwest. Probably is a good thing, as if I was in Portland, I would probably go crazy at the bike shops and warehouses up there. I already am a fan of bicycyletiresdirect.com, and I know they certainly can't be the best that Portland has to offer..........lol.

I'm closer to Corvallis, and have been checking CL and such here and in Salem and Eugene with no success.....there are a couple of noteworthy lbs's in Corvallis that I know of, but they would probably have to order the part anyways, so I might as well do it myself online.

top506

I've also had good luck with the Sunrace freewheels. They offer a 13-30 7 speed that works well with all the Shimano road RDs I've tried it with.

Top

wrk101

That's where I usually get my six and seven speed freewheels, and my 7 speed cassettes. Cassettes are $16, seven speed FW is $10, and six speed FW is $9. The freewheels are shipped by a third party, so you have to pay shipping. The cassettes are site to store, no shipping.