Dawes Galaxy original cassette.
 

Hello,
I have an early '70's Dawes Galaxy. It's original, down to the functioning plastic Simplex derailleurs and steel crank. But someone in the past swapped the rear wheel for a generic steel unit with a Shimano cassette. It works fine but I would like to put an original rim and cassette on it.

Does anyone know what cassette is original for this bike? I have a Maillard cassette with steel rim, in my parts bin, probably from an old Raleigh Record. Some of the Galaxy components also seem to be shared with the equivalent Raleighs of the day, and am wondering of a Maillard cassette would be correct.

Thank you,

one good candidate for a gear block for the bike would be a T.D. Cross. they came on many British machines at this time.

VeloBase.com - Component: TDC (Thomas D. Cross) Continental

they require a unique remover. see item nr. 402 here:

http://sheldonbrown.com/var/pages/var0028.html

I think in the UK's industrial unrest of the 70s they would probably have used whatever supplier was able to come up with the goods at the time. The 1975 catalogue doesn't specify a make, it just says 14-28 and I would assume it was a five speed. http://veterancycleclublibrary.org.u...Library%29.pdf

From here Veteran-Cycle Club Online Library

Cassette? or Freewheel? Freewheel or Cassette?

The original Dawes cog set was five speed/14-28, as I recall. Non-indexed, of course. I can't recall the most commonly used freewheel, but Atom comes to mind...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...50_Drive_1.jpg

The rim of choice, in steel was the 27" Rigida patterned braking surface. Again, this is based on recollection, not etched in stone fact. To be sure, just check the original front rim of the OP's bike. That should be definite rim make/model information to work from...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...liperFront.jpg

Dawes Galaxy original cassette.
 

The Dawes Galaxy was on par with the Raleigh Super Course. 3 tubes Reynolds tubing. Alloy Weinmann rims on Normandy or Sunshine hubs.

Thank you for the replies folks. They are very helpful and give me something to work with. The front rim is textured but different from the one showed above. I will look more closely. I did come across references to Dawes' using Maillard freewheels elsewhere, I might just install the one I have until I find something more definitive.

Yes, its a "freewheel". Although I've messed around with bikes a lot, my mechanic expertise is in motorcycles, cars and vintage stereos. I find bicycle terminology slightly bewildering. I think "chainstays" should be a swingarm, "chainwheels" are sprockets and a "cassette" goes in your tapedeck. :-)

Wow, I got a reply from Randy. I love your website Randy. It has been an absolutely amazing resource in making progress on my bike projects, especially the French bikes. Your stories about bikes are extremely informative and entertaining.