6spd to 5spd on 126mm hub - what spacers do I need?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Great Southern Land
Posts: 173
Bikes: ’71 Cinelli SC;‘ 72 Cinelli SC ; 2011 Baum Corretto Ti; 2007 BMC SLC01; 1986 Pinarello Team Bike; 1983 De Rosa Professional; 1959 Bianchi TdF; ’78 Masi GC Ca
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
6spd to 5spd on 126mm hub - what spacers do I need?
I would like to put a Regina 5spd freewheel on a 126mm Campy rear hub (that presently has a Regina standard 6spd freewheel on it). I assume this is possible with spacers of some kind. Could anyone help me with the size and thickness of spacer I need to be getting and which side of the freewheel they are normally put?
#2
Cat 6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Mountain Brook, AL
Posts: 7,489
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 492 Post(s)
Liked 161 Times
in
107 Posts
No spacers are needed, you'll just end up with a lot of space between the small cog and the chainstay/dropout. Be sure to adjust your rear derailleur so that you won't drop the chain off into that gap.
Now if you really want to go all-out, you could shift some axle spacers from the drive side to the non-drive side, and redish the wheel to reduce the dish. Don't think I'd bother.
Now if you really want to go all-out, you could shift some axle spacers from the drive side to the non-drive side, and redish the wheel to reduce the dish. Don't think I'd bother.
#3
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,437
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1219 Post(s)
Liked 580 Times
in
219 Posts
'Zactly what Ex Pres said. Shifting some spacers to reduce wheel dish might let you improve the chainline too but I probably wouldn't bother with that either unless it was problematic to start with.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#5
verktyg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,008
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1990 Bianchi Mondiale, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA Team Pro, 1973 Holdsworth
Mentioned: 202 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 1,159 Times
in
625 Posts
+1 Zero!
verktyg
Chas.
verktyg

Chas.
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
#6
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,052
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1226 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4330 Post(s)
Liked 4,419 Times
in
1,876 Posts
That's something I'd do, but I often can't leave well enough alone.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#7
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,188
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3690 Post(s)
Liked 2,177 Times
in
1,372 Posts
#10
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,052
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1226 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4330 Post(s)
Liked 4,419 Times
in
1,876 Posts
I dunno, 400k<24 hrs, that'd be enough for me!
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#11
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,188
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3690 Post(s)
Liked 2,177 Times
in
1,372 Posts
Right? Yet, my rando bike has gone back to a pile of parts, because the urge to tinker is too strong.

#12
incazzare.
Everyone's explained how, but my question is: Why? Not trying to be a snot, just wondering why you wouldn't want one more cog back there if you can have it?
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,319
Mentioned: 216 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17209 Post(s)
Liked 3,962 Times
in
2,942 Posts
Perhaps the 5 spd was cheap.
I'd just use it as-is, so there is less work reversing it later if you choose to go with more gears.
Most 5 speed setups had some extra space to the right of the freewheel where one could drop the chain. But, it also gave a little extra spring tension to the derailleur.
With my current 9 speed (126mm), there is absolutely no space to drop the chain.
I'd just use it as-is, so there is less work reversing it later if you choose to go with more gears.
Most 5 speed setups had some extra space to the right of the freewheel where one could drop the chain. But, it also gave a little extra spring tension to the derailleur.
With my current 9 speed (126mm), there is absolutely no space to drop the chain.
#14
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,052
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1226 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4330 Post(s)
Liked 4,419 Times
in
1,876 Posts
Well, that's one way to stop you!
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,445
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1815 Post(s)
Liked 1,960 Times
in
1,202 Posts
The reason I ask is in answer to the above question. A friend rides a SS 29er. He doesn't want to mess with all the speeds in a normal cassette, but he would like to have a set up where he could get some more top end and also a bail out gear. Obviously he would need a hanger for his SS to make it work.
It is funny, I have ridden with him on road bikes and I have never seem anyone shift as few times as he does.
John
#16
Wood
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Beaumont, Tx
Posts: 2,304
Bikes: Raleigh Sports: hers. Vianelli Professional & Bridgestone 300: mine
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
8 Posts
I would like to find a narrow body freewheel and load it with 16-20-24t cogs for my flatland rides. It is all that I need around here. I'm doing it mechanically now by screwing in the adjuster screws to catch the inner 3 cogs of a 5 speed freewheel.
Time on my hands and a desire to futz.
Time on my hands and a desire to futz.
#17
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,188
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3690 Post(s)
Liked 2,177 Times
in
1,372 Posts
I would like to find a narrow body freewheel and load it with 16-20-24t cogs for my flatland rides. It is all that I need around here. I'm doing it mechanically now by screwing in the adjuster screws to catch the inner 3 cogs of a 5 speed freewheel.
Time on my hands and a desire to futz.
Time on my hands and a desire to futz.

#18
incazzare.
Actually I would like to find out what the fewest number of cogs that can be run... 3? 4? Will a RD limit screws adjust to 3 or 4 cogs?
The reason I ask is in answer to the above question. A friend rides a SS 29er. He doesn't want to mess with all the speeds in a normal cassette, but he would like to have a set up where he could get some more top end and also a bail out gear. Obviously he would need a hanger for his SS to make it work.
It is funny, I have ridden with him on road bikes and I have never seem anyone shift as few times as he does.
John
The reason I ask is in answer to the above question. A friend rides a SS 29er. He doesn't want to mess with all the speeds in a normal cassette, but he would like to have a set up where he could get some more top end and also a bail out gear. Obviously he would need a hanger for his SS to make it work.
It is funny, I have ridden with him on road bikes and I have never seem anyone shift as few times as he does.
John
Sounds like a good project for an IGH?
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,445
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1815 Post(s)
Liked 1,960 Times
in
1,202 Posts
#20
verktyg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,008
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1990 Bianchi Mondiale, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA Team Pro, 1973 Holdsworth
Mentioned: 202 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 1,159 Times
in
625 Posts
Most 3 speed and some 4 speed freewheels used 1/8" wide chains which may not play nice with your derailleurs and chainrings...
@70sSanO Your ludite friend my have a fear of mechanical things....
Back in the 70's there was a lot of animosity??? between runners and bikies. A lot of runners seemed to be technophobic!
If you only want 3 speed than go to an internal hub... (better yet, a Torpedo or Bendix 2 speed...) Then you could get an adapter to install a 3 speed freewheel plus a rear derailleur and that would give you 9 speeds... And then....
I bought my 1st 10 speed in Japan in 1964. It was a Bridgestone in the French randonneur style with Weinmann brakes, a Wright leather saddle an Huret derailleurs.

The Japanese Shinkansen "bullet train" past through the outskirts of our town. It ran at 200+ Kph (130 Mph). The local express trains were no slouches either - they past by at 120 Kph (80 Mph). I had to cross those tracks in several places on my regular rides.

The Huret derailleurs were hard to shift... On several occasions I found myself trying to get across the tracks with a train coming... The bell would start ringing as the gate dropped and about 30 seconds later (or so it seemed) the train would come rolling through.
High pucker factor!
I had the shop where I bought my bike put in a Shimano 3 speed internal gear hub. That gave me a 30 speed bike with about a 19" low gear and 120" high gear!
I could pop wheelies with it low/low gear plus with the 3 speed thumb shifter I could shift without worrying about jamming or dropping a chain! (old Huret derailleurs)
verktyg
Chas.
@70sSanO Your ludite friend my have a fear of mechanical things....

Back in the 70's there was a lot of animosity??? between runners and bikies. A lot of runners seemed to be technophobic!
If you only want 3 speed than go to an internal hub... (better yet, a Torpedo or Bendix 2 speed...) Then you could get an adapter to install a 3 speed freewheel plus a rear derailleur and that would give you 9 speeds... And then....

I bought my 1st 10 speed in Japan in 1964. It was a Bridgestone in the French randonneur style with Weinmann brakes, a Wright leather saddle an Huret derailleurs.
The Japanese Shinkansen "bullet train" past through the outskirts of our town. It ran at 200+ Kph (130 Mph). The local express trains were no slouches either - they past by at 120 Kph (80 Mph). I had to cross those tracks in several places on my regular rides.
The Huret derailleurs were hard to shift... On several occasions I found myself trying to get across the tracks with a train coming... The bell would start ringing as the gate dropped and about 30 seconds later (or so it seemed) the train would come rolling through.
High pucker factor!
I had the shop where I bought my bike put in a Shimano 3 speed internal gear hub. That gave me a 30 speed bike with about a 19" low gear and 120" high gear!
I could pop wheelies with it low/low gear plus with the 3 speed thumb shifter I could shift without worrying about jamming or dropping a chain! (old Huret derailleurs)

verktyg

Chas.
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 09-14-15 at 06:01 PM.
#21
spondylitis.org
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Fleetwood, PA, USA
Posts: 956
Bikes: '84 Colnago Super; '90 Bridgestone MB-1; '81 Trek 930; '01 Cinelli Supercorsa; '62 Ideor Asso; '87 Tommasini Super Prestige; '13 Lynskey R2300; '84 Serotta Nova Special; '94 Litespeed Catalyst; etc.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 72 Times
in
48 Posts
FYI - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_%28train%29
N700 (Nozomi-chan) does about 185 MPH between Kyoto and Shin-Yokohama on the Tokaido line.
JRWest won't let you cross in front of it, though. And you wouldn't want to.
N700 (Nozomi-chan) does about 185 MPH between Kyoto and Shin-Yokohama on the Tokaido line.
JRWest won't let you cross in front of it, though. And you wouldn't want to.
#22
verktyg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,008
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1990 Bianchi Mondiale, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA Team Pro, 1973 Holdsworth
Mentioned: 202 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 1,159 Times
in
625 Posts
FYI - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_%28train%29
N700 (Nozomi-chan) does about 185 MPH between Kyoto and Shin-Yokohama on the Tokaido line.
JRWest won't let you cross in front of it, though. And you wouldn't want to.
N700 (Nozomi-chan) does about 185 MPH between Kyoto and Shin-Yokohama on the Tokaido line.
JRWest won't let you cross in front of it, though. And you wouldn't want to.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...001_Table1.png
They used the Shinkansen Series 0 trains:
"The first Shinkansen trains ran at speeds of up to 200 km/h (125 mph), later increased to 220 km/h (135 mph)."
SHINKANSEN HISTORY - Go Japan Go
I could never understand why they had RR crossings on those fast train lines???
verktyg san

Chas.
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
#23
verktyg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,008
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1990 Bianchi Mondiale, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA Team Pro, 1973 Holdsworth
Mentioned: 202 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 1,159 Times
in
625 Posts
I would like to put a Regina 5spd freewheel on a 126mm Campy rear hub (that presently has a Regina standard 6spd freewheel on it). I assume this is possible with spacers of some kind. Could anyone help me with the size and thickness of spacer I need to be getting and which side of the freewheel they are normally put?
It was quite common to mount 5 speed freewheels on 126mm hubs... For example, when 126mm hubs became popular, 14-34T freewheels were only readily available in 5 speed versions... Or if someone had a box of freewheels and wanted to change to a bigger or smaller one.
There shouldn't be any problems. What I'd recommend is putting a 1mm or 1.5mm STEEL spacer behind the freewheel when you screw it onto the hub. This gives you a little insurance from sucking a derailleur into the spokes.
It may be hard to find one today. They were used on SA 3 speed hubs and for re-spacing the fixed cup on BBs and of course for spacing FWs.
I don't recommend aluminum spacers because I've squished them out from behind the FW several times honking up a steep hill!
I'm such an animal!!!

Verktyg

Chas.
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)