Sorry this is a somewhat dumb/ignorant question, but I feel the gang in C/V will be forgiving.

I am considering buying a new wheelset for my vintage 1986 steel Alpine....I know the rear triangle will need to be pulled out a tad to go from 126 to 130....but I am wondering if my old 1980's shimano 6 speed Dura Ace freewheel (yes it's a freewheel and NOT a casette) will fit onto the threading they use for current wheelsets (I believe they are more for casette-type freewheels).

I dont really have the motivation or funds to upgrade my entire drivetrain. So can this work? Or will I have to buy/find a 6 speed casette? And would that work with my indexed shifter?

If it's going to be a major hassle I may just keep my 22 year old wheels for another season or two.

Doug

No, a old threaded freewheel wont work on a hub which accepts a cassette, cassettes don't use any threading, the cogs just slide on over the freehub and a locknut screws into the last cog holding it all together.

I guess its possible to make a 6 speed cassette utilizing spacers, or you can maybe just lace your old hubs to new rims with new spokes and forget spreading your triangle.

I was afraid it wouldn't work so easily....grrr.....well I will consider my options but it looks like I will be riding the old steed "as is" for awhile longer.....until I can save up for the wheelset AND drivetrain....(or buy a bike from BD and transfer all the components to my old bike)

Doug

You can still find some wheels that accept freewheels. They don't tend to be high end, but I have run across a few.

If you are looking to keep a similar wheel, that may be helpful, if you want a modern wheel, it obviously won't help..

Also, you could use your existing hub as the basis for a new wheel build.

thanks darwin....I am lusting after those sexy mavic ksyrium wheels, but will stick with my old wheels that are wolber alpine rims, anyone here remember them?? They are almost indestructable (maybe my weight of 150 pounds helps there)!

Doug,

Even the newer 6-speed freewheels shift very smoothly; they have modern contoured cogs just like the latest cassette cogs. So this may be a simple, cheap, and even desirable "upgrade" for your bike.

If you have enough room within your rear dropouts, you can also use a 7-speed threaded freewheel on your hub. The spacing would remain the same 126 mm. but might stick out just a bit farther. Modern Shimano 7-speed replacement freewheels work just fine, they're quite inexpensive. Unless you intend to change your entire shifting system, I would really not bother to "modernize" any bike beyond this.

I always look for bargains, so thought I'd point this out:

This Shimano 7-speed indexed/friction shifter set is currently on sale at Nashbar.com for only $ 6.00 !!! ... might be a good opportunity to take one small step forward?


I have also used Nashbar's 7-speed House-brand freewheels. At $20, they're just bit cheaper than Shimano, and these too use the latest cog profiling. In by experience they work fine too. They might even be produced by the same source in China which now makes all of Shimano's threaded freewheels. Looks like they are currently available in 13-24 & 13-32, but I've seen them in other sizes too. The ones I've bought have nice nickel plated cogs, so they look pretty classy on a bike. They use standard Shimano splined freewheel removal tools.


Their 6-speeds are the same price, just as nice and avaialble as 14-24 or 14-28
6-speed Nashbar freewheel:

good post stronglight

If you are going to spend 3 or $400 for a new wheelset, why are you balking at dropping 15 to $30 on a new 7 speed cassette.

there are no dumb questions just dumb people.

thanks for the suggestion stronglight, I certainly would consider this....cardiac, I am not balking at spending money for a new casette, I am just unsure if I can get the spacing right to work with my dura-ace SIS shifters. But I now see there are some reasonably priced options to solve this.

doug

Echoing Stronglight's recommendation on those Nashbar/Epoch 7-spd freewheels.
I picked up 2 for $12 during one of their sales. They are actually made in Taiwan.
The quality is quite good, the freewheels are precise, no sloppy play in their bodies. The plated finish is attractive and the cogs are claimed to be tempered.
The shiny finish reminded me of those Shimano Sante freewheels from the 80s.
(And no, I'm not one of those Starbuck's guys.)

That is a valid concern. I would say there is a good chance you will lose your indexing ability by switching to a cassette of any kind. Of course, I think most people on this forum think indexing is overrated.
Your 6 speed freewheel is probably worth more on Ebay than a 7 speed 105 cassette. So there would really be no cost involved in switching that out, unless you are like me and a lot of other members, who like to horde freewheels.

cardiac, you hit the nail on the head....I do like my indexing and don't want to lose it. I might just keep the current setup for now, it works fine. And although I do love those sexy new wheels my current ones are fine. I will likely wait until funds are available for the whole new drivetrain and wheelset.

I may have a 7s DA right DT shifter I'd let go of for a very reasonable price. It may be after Christmas before I get a chance to look.

Heres a reasonably priced wheelset for older bikes. Use your same everything.

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels/630.html

thanks puppy....i checked the website (my wheels are actually not 27 but 700 which they also make)....but I am wondering if these are any better than my current wheels which still work reasonably well (see above)

doug