loll8capital

I have a 1989 Schwinn Circuit with the Sante group. Really like it but I take it on some long climbs in the Rockies and the (tri/time-trial?) oriented gearing is a bit too high. I switched out the 42t biopace inner chainring, and that helps, but I'd still like to get a bit of an easier gear.

Looking at Sheldon - Shimano Cassettes & Freehubs - seems like my best option, if I don't want to replace essentially the entire drivetrain, is to convert the freehub from Uniglide to Hyperglide, then switch the cassettes.

Can anyone confirm that the Sante freehub can be converted in this way? Sheldon lists some exceptions, like pre-1997 Dura Ace, and I've seen people say that some of the Sante components are basically Dura Ace. If this works, can I just get something like this - https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-STX-RC.../dp/B001GSKU0U and then a cassette like this - Shimano Cassette 7 Speed CS HG50 Bike 13 26 T Bicycle Road Racing 14 21 Speed | eBay (Sante is 13-23, this would give 3 extra teeth)?

Bianchigirll 

I think you can but I would get a NOS (like a take off hub) hub like a RX100, STX, or 105 and just use the whole axle set with the left Sante cone. The HG hub body will take a different seal so buying a whole hub is the simplest way to get all the parts. I did this with an old 600 6spd hub.


Depending on the quality of the wheel you may want to consider upgrading to 8spd and using a 4.5mm spacer to run the 7spd cassettes.

Triple check the derailleur for Max tooth size and check and see if VeloBase.com has any info on max tooth and max wrap. Make sure that RD can handle a 13-26 and 52/39

ThermionicScott 

Yep, transplanting the freehub body will be super-easy. Just need a 10mm allen bit for your torque wrench (30 ft-lbs when you install the new one).

But ACK! Don't pay $36 + $7 S&H for a cassette when you can get it much cheaper (and in silver): https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...30&category=42


Another thought: if your threaded 13T cog is still in good shape, you don't even need to swap the freehub body to use modern cassettes -- just put the new HG50 cassette on, and use the threaded 13T cog to hold it on rather than the 13T cog and lockring that come with the cassette. Easy!

loll8capital

Thanks for the advice - seems like there are plenty of NOS freehubs floating around so that looks like a good option. Bianchigirl, you're right, somehow I missed on the velobase page that the max cog size the derailleur will accept is 24t, only 1 tooth more. Still seems like it might be worth it, looking at the gearing ratios; but looks like I would have to get a cassette that matches that original one (13-14-15-17-19-21-23) and then replace the 23 with a 24t one like this 24T AC AF Shimano Silver Cassette Sprocket - £3.99.

Or just replace last cog with a NOS uniglide 24t...

Bianchigirll 

I know it is a very cool art deco design but you could consider shelving the Sante and put a early RX100 or 105 long cage and wider cassette.

Be sure to double check the cone and seal if you just buy a freehub body. Sheldon Brown's website might have some information on this.

Dave Mayer

Or go to your local bike co-op and find the bin with loose Hyperglide cassette cogs. Pick a 28, a 24, and a 21. Replace your top 3 cogs with these; use your old spacers. It takes a few minutes of filing with a flat file to remove the one wider spline that will allow these to fit on the Uniglide freehub.

Wilfred Laurier

I would go for a triple crankset if I were you - you need only change the crank (get a new one that comes with rings) and a triple-compatible front derailleur (an old MTB one would work fine).

pastorbobnlnh 

I also recommend keeping the original UG freehub body and converting a new HG cassette.

If your original is a 6 speed, buy a 9 speed HG cassette which has the little screw holding the entire assembly together. Now using the 9 speed spacers, you can build a 7 speed HG cassette once you file or dremel the large HG tab. Use the original 13T UG threaded cog to secure your hybrid.

Bianchigirll 

Check post 4 the Sante' will not handle anything bigger than a 24T cog.

Dave Mayer

I know. In the day, I rode a Sante RD with a 26 when the chainrings were 42-52 and with careful chain length selection. This derailleur, like old Dura-Ace, is a well-made paper-weight and not much else.

The OP wants lower gearing. My recommendation was to modify and install 3 Hyperglide cassette cogs on his Uniglide freehub. Cost: around $3 in my parts. The obvious next step was to add another $25 or so for an inexpensive Shimano indexing RD like Sora. Or Deore MTB if you want to go with an even bigger cassette.

Do I have to specify the new longer chain as well?