5 speed freewheel question
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5 speed freewheel question
Hi all, so I have a Gitane from the early 70's, and i'd like to make it a little more relaxed gearing for easier hill climbing.
The stock crankset is really nice, and i don't know how easy it would be to find a smaller chain ring that would fit, but was wondering if anyone makes a 5-6 speed rear freewheel that has larger gearing for easier hill climbing? as my bike sits, i never use the front large chain ring as i'm not strong enough to constantly pedal in that gearing.
The stock crankset is really nice, and i don't know how easy it would be to find a smaller chain ring that would fit, but was wondering if anyone makes a 5-6 speed rear freewheel that has larger gearing for easier hill climbing? as my bike sits, i never use the front large chain ring as i'm not strong enough to constantly pedal in that gearing.
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What rear derailleur are you using?
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hi all, sorry, i'm not too familiar with bikes.
The hub is the screw on type, not the cassette type, so i'd need to replace the whole thing.
I believe the largest rear cog on there now is a 28t
My crankset is a Stronglight 93 set
rear derailleur is an unknown aged shimano SIS system
The hub is the screw on type, not the cassette type, so i'd need to replace the whole thing.
I believe the largest rear cog on there now is a 28t
My crankset is a Stronglight 93 set
rear derailleur is an unknown aged shimano SIS system
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hi all, sorry, i'm not too familiar with bikes.
The hub is the screw on type, not the cassette type, so i'd need to replace the whole thing.
I believe the largest rear cog on there now is a 28t
My crankset is a Stronglight 93 set
rear derailleur is an unknown aged shimano SIS system
The hub is the screw on type, not the cassette type, so i'd need to replace the whole thing.
I believe the largest rear cog on there now is a 28t
My crankset is a Stronglight 93 set
rear derailleur is an unknown aged shimano SIS system
If a 34-tooth cog doesn't get you low enough, you could replace your existing small chainring with a 37-tooth ring from Red Clover Components (Red Clover Components - Red Clover Components - Bicycle Triplizers and Chainrings). If that won't get you low enough, you can install a triplizer ring that will convert your Model 93 double to a triple, from the same source.
Full disclosure: Red Clover Components is my own business, so no one would accuse me of being impartial in recommending it.
By the way, I agree with others who have advised against painting the bike. Clean it thoroughly and give it a good coat of wax and it will look like a well-maintained 40-year-old bike is supposed to look.
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Last edited by jonwvara; 11-23-15 at 11:44 AM.
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Another thing to consider. Is your rear hub the original one to the bike? Be aware that it COULD be a French threaded hub. In which case, you would need to use a freewheel with French threading.
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Purchased this freewheel to use on my 1981 Trek. Had to also change the rear derailleur but it has really helped with the hills.
New Suntour 8 8 8 Multiple Free Wheel 5 Speed 14 18 22 28 34 for 1 2 x 3 32 CH | eBay
You just need to figure out the correct chain wrap your current RD can handle and go from there.
New Suntour 8 8 8 Multiple Free Wheel 5 Speed 14 18 22 28 34 for 1 2 x 3 32 CH | eBay
You just need to figure out the correct chain wrap your current RD can handle and go from there.
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When I was last at CAT in Eugene, there was a rather large looking freewheel on their wall. I didn't count the teeth, but it must have had 40 teeth on it. Those kinds of things usually cost $10 to $20 each.
Let me know if you want something that is truly HUGE.
As mentioned, it may exceed the capacity of many vintage derailleurs.
Let me know if you want something that is truly HUGE.
As mentioned, it may exceed the capacity of many vintage derailleurs.
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Your inner ring looks like it might be a 42T or even larger. The 93 crank takes rings down to 38T, I believe. Might be cheaper and easier to find one of these than to spring for a new freewheel and rear derailleur. Of course, this brings up other gearing issues, but if your only concern is a lower gear for hillclimbing consider a smaller inner ring.
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5 speed freewheel question
From my perspective that is not a 28T sprocket on your freewheel. Looks more like 24-26T.
I can see why you only use the small chain ring! Since it is missing the FD. Jus' saying!
I can see why you only use the small chain ring! Since it is missing the FD. Jus' saying!
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I agree w/ Bob. That sure looks like a 14-15-17-19-21 cluster to me -- a 14-28 or 13-28 cluster would make a huge difference.
You can probably keep your stock derailleur with something like 52-38 / 14-28, which would require changing only the inner chainring and the freewheel. For even better shifting, consider 49-38 or 48-38 / 13-28. The hardest part, I think, will be finding the 122mm BCD chainrings for this project.
You may also wish to consider using an ultra 6-speed freewheel, which will require only about 2-3mm of additional OLD width. 14-16-18-21-24-28 would preserve your tight progression up top while giving you two new lower gears on the bottom.
You can probably keep your stock derailleur with something like 52-38 / 14-28, which would require changing only the inner chainring and the freewheel. For even better shifting, consider 49-38 or 48-38 / 13-28. The hardest part, I think, will be finding the 122mm BCD chainrings for this project.
You may also wish to consider using an ultra 6-speed freewheel, which will require only about 2-3mm of additional OLD width. 14-16-18-21-24-28 would preserve your tight progression up top while giving you two new lower gears on the bottom.
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The link is still on my clipboard.
Derailleur Hangers Demystified - Red Clover Components
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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#16
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Hi all, so I have a Gitane from the early 70's, and i'd like to make it a little more relaxed gearing for easier hill climbing.
The stock crankset is really nice, and i don't know how easy it would be to find a smaller chain ring that would fit, but was wondering if anyone makes a 5-6 speed rear freewheel that has larger gearing for easier hill climbing? as my bike sits, i never use the front large chain ring as i'm not strong enough to constantly pedal in that gearing.
The stock crankset is really nice, and i don't know how easy it would be to find a smaller chain ring that would fit, but was wondering if anyone makes a 5-6 speed rear freewheel that has larger gearing for easier hill climbing? as my bike sits, i never use the front large chain ring as i'm not strong enough to constantly pedal in that gearing.
Search ebay for 122 BCD chainrings. If you're patient, you may be able to come up with a 40t or something for maybe ~$50ish. As already mentioned, Red Clover has those 122bcd 37T, which are fairly priced considering the custom machining and the small market for these things. In the interest of competition, Gebhardt sells a 38T for not too much, though they are hard to get. (i have one)
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...you can still buy 122 BCD chainrings for your crank brand new, but youi have to order them from France. The ones they have are of the sizes (in terms of teeth) that you are looking for, but IIRC, the last ones I bought were not countersunk for the chainring bolts. YOu can either just use them as is with a slightly different appearance, or go to the trouble of countersinking the bolt holes yourself.
XXcycle - Stronglight Chainring 122 mm second position - en
XXcycle - Stronglight Chainring 122 mm first position - en
XXcycle - Stronglight Chainring 122 mm second position - en
XXcycle - Stronglight Chainring 122 mm first position - en
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a bigger rear cog will make more of a difference than a small ring.
if the hub threading is standard/english, and the current large rear cog is 26t or smaller, do buy a new 14-28t freewheel. i prefer the ird brand, but the less expensive sunrace freewheels as listed on ebay perform just fine.
if the hub threading is standard/english, and the current large rear cog is 26t or smaller, do buy a new 14-28t freewheel. i prefer the ird brand, but the less expensive sunrace freewheels as listed on ebay perform just fine.
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No crap... I just was looking for some derailleur hanger pictures and stumbled on your blog post- I linked to it- and I even said "I think a forum member does this page."
The link is still on my clipboard.
Derailleur Hangers Demystified - Red Clover Components
The link is still on my clipboard.
Derailleur Hangers Demystified - Red Clover Components
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