Just picked up a set of Suntour Cyclone components -- front & rear derailleurs & shifting stems -- and am contemplating a new freewheel at the suggestion of all of you fine folks here on the forum.

Found a SunTour Pro Compe 5-speed free wheel:

(https://cgi.ebay.com/SunTour-Pro-Comp...item3a5850392b)

Would it be worth it or should I be adamant on finding a decent price on a 6-speed? Also, how would you rate the Pro Compe, considering this is going to be put on a commuter?

Thanks everyone!

I'd want a wider gear range on a commuter, but I live in Colorado not Ohio. If this is the freewheel you want, pm me. I've got one that's used but barely, and like I said I live in Colorado so a 14-18 is useless for me.

That one on eBay looks a little on the rusty side and I would be worried about what kind of rust is on the inside. I to would need more range but hey if your young and strong...

Cincinnati has some pretty hilly areas, I would definitely consider something with a wider range than that. You could always fit a Suntour Ultra 6, they are narrower than most 6 speeds. An LBS in Canton, OH has a NOS one for 30 dollars, you can probably call him to order it if you want. PM me if you want the bike shop phone number

The reason behind my desire to get a tighter ratio is that 1) I am, as mentioned, young and strong, which leads me to 2) I only use half of my current ratio regardless of where I am. I typically ride one solid gear unless I encounter a steep hill, and even then I only ride on the next highest gear. I can't tell you the ratio on my current freewheel; all I can say is that it is definitely the original stuck on my '74 Grand Prix when it rolled out of the factory.

Your Grand Prix probably came with a 14-28. This one is going to hurt. It could injure your knees, too.

You definitely bring up a good point, in which I began to seriously consider the current ratios I ride. However, I typically ride the larger of the two chainwheels and (unless by mis-shifting; the Simplex RD is killing me) never go out of the 14-21 range. In consideration, I could always drop to the smaller chainwheel to avoid being overwhelmed and/or injured. At 5'11 and 220lbs, I tend to ride rather mercilessly.

Mercilessly towards the long term health of your body. Learn to spin, and you'll enjoy cycling for many years.

Noted, however I am confident that I will still be able to spin even with a tighter ratio. I'll give you the benefit of "I told you so," if I am wrong.