6 speed cassette question

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by dfolse2
Hey guys I'm new to riding bikes as I have recently begun training for a triathlon. I didnt want to spend much money so I bought an old school panasonic bike. Here's my question the rear cassette on this thing is pretty worn and I would like to replace it. It has 6 gears on it. Does anyone know where I can get a new cassette. Secondly how diffuicult is replacing this item. If anyone knows can you briefly explaine how to do this.

I would appreciate your responses.

First you need to be sure if it is a cassette or frewheel.Could be either and it makes a big difference. There are plenty of 6 and 7 speed freewheels available and either should work,assuming you don't have a Millard heliomatic.You need the correct freewheel removal tool and sometimes a bench vise to get the old one of. 6 speed shimano cassettes were uniglide type and are no longer available unless you dummy into a used one or some NOS stuff. Try www.loosescrews.com or www.harriscyclery.com They also used a different spline pattern than the later hyperglide 7,8,and 9 speed cassettes. Uniglide cassettes remove by using opposing chainwhips to remove the screw on first cog.

Thank you for your input. I'm a newbie so what is the best way to tell if I have a freewheel or cassette.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by dfolse2
Thank you for your input. I'm a newbie so what is the best way to tell if I have a freewheel or cassette.

try Sheldon Browns glossary of bike terms at www.hariscyclery.com or take it to bike shop.