Indexing for 5 / 6 speed freewheels?
07-06-16 | 05:56 AM
#1
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Bikes: 1974 Copper Raleigh International, 1975 Olive Green Raleigh Grand Prix, 1974 Raleigh Europa Custom
Indexing for 5 / 6 speed freewheels?
There are some gaps in my knowledge of bikes around the time when friction gears became indexed.
Was thinking of building a Frankenbike for my brother I have some 27" wheels handy and was wondering if there were index shifters made for 5 or 6 speed freewheels?
Was thinking of building a Frankenbike for my brother I have some 27" wheels handy and was wondering if there were index shifters made for 5 or 6 speed freewheels?
07-06-16 | 06:06 AM
#2
Catching Smallmouth
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From: In a boat
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Shimano and Suntour both had indexed 6 speed setups from about 1986ish up until 7 speed caught on.
07-06-16 | 06:07 AM
#3
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Yes, with Shimano it's going to be used parts for the shifter, but I know SRAM makes a 6 speed grip shifter that works well (and it's Shimano compatible). Shimano still makes a "6/7" speed derailleur in its Tourney line that's like $13 and works great. Good luck.
07-06-16 | 06:21 AM
#4
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Bikes: 1974 Copper Raleigh International, 1975 Olive Green Raleigh Grand Prix, 1974 Raleigh Europa Custom
So are the Shimano and Sram changers for ultra or standard 6 speed? I think the freewheels I have are 5 speed.
07-06-16 | 06:40 AM
#5
Old fart
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The original Shimano SIS indexed stuff (Dura-Ace and 600) had 6-speed downtube shifters. I'm not aware of any 5-speed indexed systems besides Positron, and you don't want that.
07-06-16 | 07:12 AM
#6
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Bikes: 1974 Copper Raleigh International, 1975 Olive Green Raleigh Grand Prix, 1974 Raleigh Europa Custom
Ok so with the early SIS could I use an ultra 6 with 120 OLD or have to go 126 OLD with a standard 6?
07-06-16 | 07:14 AM
#7
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I saw that Tourney 6/7 speed RD recently, and wondered how it works. Don't 6 and 7 speed freewheels have different spacing?
07-06-16 | 07:27 AM
#8
Cat 6
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From: Mountain Brook, AL
Early Shimano 6s indexing was for standard spacing. 7s was Ultra, so if you are using a 6s Ultra spaced freewheel, you'll need to use 7s indexed shifters and block one out.
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07-06-16 | 08:26 AM
#10
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I've had regular spaced 5 speed freewheels indexing on both SIS and Accushift 6 systems.
The spacing is the same between 5-6 speeds.
I have not got an Ultra 6 spaced freewheel to index on either of those setups.
The spacing is the same between 5-6 speeds.
I have not got an Ultra 6 spaced freewheel to index on either of those setups.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
07-08-16 | 08:00 AM
#13
Old fart
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From: Appleton WI
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With early SIS you'd want to go with a Shimano Dura-Ace or 600 Uniglide freewheel (e.g. MF-7400 or MF-6400) on a 126mm OLD hub if you want the indexing to work. The cog spacing is not quite the same as either SunTour Ultra-6 or standard 6-speed.
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