Guys,

I'm building an early 80's Nishiki and I just got a Shimano 600EX 6200 Arabesque drivetrain. However, I want to upgrade the wheels to modern 700c and was wondering while I'm at it if I could throw a 10-speed freewheel in and still use my friction downtube shifters and 600EX 6200 FD/RD? So I guess I have some questions:

1. How many gears can I use with the 6200 series drivetrain? I know the specs say the max is 28T but I've read others going higher. If the 28T is true then my options are limited to 6-7 speeds correct?
2. Will I run into chain stay rubbing with a 10-speed freewheel (If possible) after taking my rear spacing from 126 to 130?
3. What freewheel should I use and what chain should I use.
4. Will my front chain rings work with the newer freewheel?
5. Should I go with freewheel or cassette?

Sorry, I'm a newb and this is all a bit confusing. I want the vintage bike with as many gears as possible with newer 700c wheels.

I have modern brakes and will install those and know how to modify the frame/fork to mount them.....

Thanks
Shawn

Hi Shawn
1. You can probably use as many speeds as you want, up to a 28t sprocket. I.e. you can use a ten speed cassette that is 11-26, for example.
2. Dunno...
3. You will need a ten speed chain (chains get narrower with more speeds), and if you want 10 speed, you will need a 10 speed cassette (a cassette is pretty much a modern freewheel). You will need a rear wheel with a freehub if you would like more than 7(?) speeds, or a threaded hub for a 5,6 or 7 speed freewheel.
4. Should do, I have run 2x10 with all the same drivetrain from a 2x5 setup, except the cassette and chain. Some parts are quite versatile, while some might not be.
5. Depends on how many gears you want, and the type of wheel available.

hope that helps

In saying that, I found that converting it to 2x10 wasn't worth it. I didn't need that many gears, and was just as happy with 2x5 with the same range.
For me, 10 speed components aren't cheap, a new chain is 40-50$, compared to a 5,6,7,8 speed chain for $10.
at the end of the day I found I'd rather keep it simple.

Your main problem would be that a 2 x 10 has a farther throw than a 2 x 5 drivetrain. Early Shimano derailleurs and shifters are not designed with that much throw, so you would have likely had to switch out the shifters and/or derailleur to a 6400 or later model.

Yea I'm seeing that if I want to upgrade to 10 speed, I'm looking at $50 for the cassette, $40 for a chain, and $120 for 700c wheels. A little steep. Where can I find 700c wheels for a 5,6,7 freewheel that have the same look as a newer 8,9,10 speed wheelset? I don't want the "flat" rim, but the "v" style.....not "deep v", just something like the velocity. Obviously, I want to do this as cheap as possible with the best quality I can get.. LOL!

OR, is there a way to put a 5,6,7 speed cassette onto a 8.9.10 speed wheelset? What would be the best route for me to take...on the cheap.

Thanks for the reply's! Very much appreciated!

Honestly, pm [MENTION=108582]RobbieTunes[/MENTION]. It seems like he always has wheels to get rid of. Alternatively, put a WTB in the classifieds. Lots of us have wheels to get rid of.

You can run a 7 speed cassette on an 8/9/10 hub with a spacer. It's not a problem. That might be your best bet.

I've explored the limits of this derailleur; you can almost certainly do better than a 28T cog. Not sure if you can get enough swing to go more than 7 speeds, though; that's the most I used it on.

Here's mine eating 34T; which it would only do if the axel was positioned at exactly in the right spot in the dropout. The length of the derailleur hanger (which varies a bit from bike to bike, I think) also makes a difference.