Cassette VS freewheels

Wayne T said:

rivendellbicycles.com18033.htmlOpen ↗

The above web site is from Rivendell. Initially they are talking about Phil Wood Freewheel hubs,
but beginning on the 3rd paragraph it asks Why Freewheel? Though they admit that they have given
up on obtaining 5 and 6 speed freewheels, they still can get Sun Race for 7 speeds.

They like freewheels because 7 cogs are enough. The chain is stronger. They have heard a lot of
stories about 9 & 10 speed chains breaking.

Nobody goes touring with 10-speed, and there is very little difference in 7-8 or 9 speed chains. All
have to be assembled with care, and no chain likes it to be shifted under extreme loads. Sram chains
are better in this respect as Shimano

Quoted message said:

(Anyone have that experience?). You nee a special chain tool to break the

Quoted message said:

chain.

???so what, a small park works fine

Quoted message said:

You can build stronger wheels with a freewheel as opposed to a cassette wheel which is more
susceptible to failure.

the large cog on a cassette is usually closer to the flange than with a freewheel, which makes a
stronger wheel if you rn the same number of gears.

Quoted message said:

Freewheel hub is much cheaper than a cassette hub. Phil Wood cassette hubs are very expensive.
Cassette hubs have the pawls, springs, and other parts that eventually wear out. When the
freewheeling mechanism in a freewheel wears out, you just replace the freewheel ($20). When the
freewheeling mechanism wears out in a cassette hub (rare in a Phil Wood) you have to replace the
hub (or if it's a Phil you can get it serviced)

a new freehub for a shimano doesn't cost the earth and is easily fitted. And with a cassette there
is no need to invest in a hub with an extra strong axle. A simple cassette hub works fine.

Quoted message said:

Needless to say that is distressing. Sound like cassette, though it does give more gears, is a
step down. Makes me think it would be better to get a bunch of Sun Race freewheels. Incidentally,
do these freewheels fit the old 125mm spacing? Also, are they decent freewheels? Sure would save a
lot of expensive getting new hubs, shifters, cranks and cassette. Comments?

removing the cassette on the road or in the shop is also much easier than trying to get that bl@#$%
freewheel unstuck. /Marten

"Wayne T" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

rivendellbicycles.com18033.htmlOpen ↗

The above web site is from Rivendell. Initially they are talking about

Phil

Quoted message said:

Wood Freewheel hubs, but beginning on the 3rd paragraph it asks Why Freewheel? Though they
admit that they have given up on obtaining 5 and 6 speed freewheels, they still can get Sun
Race for 7 speeds.

They like freewheels because 7 cogs are enough. The chain is stronger. They have heard a lot of
stories about 9 & 10 speed chains breaking. (Anyone have that experience?). You nee a special
chain tool to break the chain. You can build stronger wheels with a freewheel as opposed to a
cassette wheel which is more susceptible to failure. Freewheel hub is

much

Quoted message said:

cheaper than a cassette hub. Phil Wood cassette hubs are very expensive. Cassette hubs have the
pawls, springs, and other parts that eventually

wear

Quoted message said:

out. When the freewheeling mechanism in a freewheel wears out, you just replace the freewheel
($20). When the freewheeling mechanism wears out in

a

Quoted message said:

cassette hub (rare in a Phil Wood) you have to replace the hub (or if it's

a

Quoted message said:

Phil you can get it serviced)

Needless to say that is distressing. Sound like cassette, though it does give more gears, is a
step down. Makes me think it would be better to get

a

Quoted message said:

bunch of Sun Race freewheels. Incidentally, do these freewheels fit the

old

Quoted message said:

125mm spacing? Also, are they decent freewheels? Sure would save a lot

of

Quoted message said:

expensive getting new hubs, shifters, cranks and cassette. Comments?

In all of my years of riding both FW and cassette hubs, I've never broken a chain spontaneously.
Usually there was some other factor involved (like sticks). The chain argument is bunk.

Cassettes support the axle better because the bearings are outboard on the drive side. A FW hub's
drive-side bearings are inboard where the flange is, leaving several cm of axle sticking out. While
I've never bent an axle, I also haven't been out doing any loaded tours.

Any more, you're going to find that 99% of the shops out there are going to stock
cassettes/equipment. Unless you happen on a retro-grouch shop, most of the employees won't know what
to do with a FW. Or maybe you'll get one that is going to have a field day unloading all their old
stuff on you!

If you already own all the stuff for FW hubs, upgrading to 8s or 9s is going to be an undertaking.
If you are building a new bike from scratch, now is the perfect time to join the late 90s... Quality
8s components are getting harder and harder to find as Campy and Shimano have both gone 9s and 10s.
Swap meets like the one on the 29th at the San Diego velodrome are probably your best bet for
finding older cassette parts.

Mike "just go with the flow" Shaw (like that Sheldon?)

I called Rivendell about freewheels. They didn't have any but the Sunrace 7 speeds, but recommended
that I check the loosescrews.com web site. They had 14-34 Shimano HG 6 speeds for $21. Also, you can
get them custom built Shimano Uniglide 6 speeds for around $45.

Hmm, you don't suppose that I would be making a mistake converting to cassette instead of ordering a
bunch of the freewheels? Certainly would be a lot cheaper.

Comments pleeeease.

"Wayne T" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

rivendellbicycles.com18033.htmlOpen ↗

The above web site is from Rivendell. Initially they are talking about

Phil

Quoted message said:

Wood Freewheel hubs, but beginning on the 3rd paragraph it asks Why Freewheel? Though they
admit that they have given up on obtaining 5 and 6 speed freewheels, they still can get Sun
Race for 7 speeds.

They like freewheels because 7 cogs are enough. The chain is stronger. They have heard a lot of
stories about 9 & 10 speed chains breaking. (Anyone have that experience?). You nee a special
chain tool to break the chain. You can build stronger wheels with a freewheel as opposed to a
cassette wheel which is more susceptible to failure. Freewheel hub is

much

Quoted message said:

cheaper than a cassette hub. Phil Wood cassette hubs are very expensive. Cassette hubs have the
pawls, springs, and other parts that eventually

wear

Quoted message said:

out. When the freewheeling mechanism in a freewheel wears out, you just replace the freewheel
($20). When the freewheeling mechanism wears out in

a

Quoted message said:

cassette hub (rare in a Phil Wood) you have to replace the hub (or if it's

a

Quoted message said:

Phil you can get it serviced)

Needless to say that is distressing. Sound like cassette, though it does give more gears, is a
step down. Makes me think it would be better to get

a

Quoted message said:

bunch of Sun Race freewheels. Incidentally, do these freewheels fit the

old

Quoted message said:

125mm spacing? Also, are they decent freewheels? Sure would save a lot

of

Quoted message said:

expensive getting new hubs, shifters, cranks and cassette. Comments?

"marten gerritsen" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Wayne T said:

rivendellbicycles.com18033.htmlOpen ↗

The above web site is from Rivendell. Initially they are talking about

Phil

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Wood Freewheel hubs, but beginning on the 3rd paragraph it asks Why Freewheel? Though they admit
that they have given up on obtaining 5 and

6

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

speed freewheels, they still can get Sun Race for 7 speeds.

They like freewheels because 7 cogs are enough. The chain is stronger. They have heard a lot of
stories about 9 & 10 speed chains breaking.

Nobody goes touring with 10-speed, and there is very little difference in

7-8 or

Quoted message said:

9 speed chains. All have to be assembled with care, and no chain likes it

to be

Quoted message said:

shifted under extreme loads. Sram chains are better in this respect as

Shimano

Then, you make a good point because when I have gone out to buy a chain for my current bike, they
sell me an 8 speed. However, isn't a 9 speed narrower and maybe less sturdy?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(Anyone have that experience?). You nee a special chain tool to break

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

chain.

???so what, a small park works fine

OK, that doesn't seem like any problem at all.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You can build stronger wheels with a freewheel as opposed to a cassette wheel which is more
susceptible to failure.

the large cog on a cassette is usually closer to the flange than with a freewheel, which makes a
stronger wheel if you rn the same number of

gears.

My free wheel is 6 and the cassette I would go to is 9. Would that mean a weaker wheel?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Freewheel hub is much cheaper than a cassette hub. Phil Wood cassette hubs are very

expensive.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Cassette hubs have the pawls, springs, and other parts that eventually

wear

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

out. When the freewheeling mechanism in a freewheel wears out, you just replace the freewheel
($20). When the freewheeling mechanism wears out

in a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

cassette hub (rare in a Phil Wood) you have to replace the hub (or if

it's a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Phil you can get it serviced)

a new freehub for a shimano doesn't cost the earth and is easily fitted.

And

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with a cassette there is no need to invest in a hub with an extra strong

axle. A

Quoted message said:

simple cassette hub works fine.

So not the problem Rivendell is making it out to be? Except if you want to go to a Phil Wood
cassette hub, then instead of 113, it would cost around
300. Groan!

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Quoted message said:

Needless to say that is distressing. Sound like cassette, though it

does

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

give more gears, is a step down. Makes me think it would be better to

get a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bunch of Sun Race freewheels. Incidentally, do these freewheels fit the

old

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

125mm spacing? Also, are they decent freewheels? Sure would save a lot

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

expensive getting new hubs, shifters, cranks and cassette. Comments?

removing the cassette on the road or in the shop is also much easier than

trying

Quoted message said:

to get that bl@#$% freewheel unstuck.

Tell me about it. I have cursed out many a freewheel I've tried to loosen with an adjustable wrench
since I don't have a bench with a vice.

Sigh! Might be expensive, but I may just have to give in and convert over to a cassette.

Quoted message said:

/Marten

Quoted message said:

snipped<

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Tell me about it. I have cursed out many a freewheel I've tried to loosen with an adjustable
wrench since I don't have a bench with a vice.

Sigh! Might be expensive, but I may just have to give in and convert over to a cassette.

Quoted message said:

/Marten

The best thing I ever found for getting a freewheel off without a vise is one of those things that
looks like a big aluminum tooth, I think it might be called a pocket vise. About $10 bucks or so.
Good thing to have on a tour; doesn't weigh much and works on any guardrail.

L8tr PB

In article <[email hidden]>, Wayne T

Quoted message said:

When the freewheeling mechanism wears out in a cassette hub (rare in a Phil Wood) you have to
replace the hub (or if it's a Phil you can get it serviced)

Complete Campagnolo freehub assemblies are readily available, and Campy small part availability
is good too.

--
<a href="poohsticks.orgdrewOpen ↗">Home Page</a> The Congress shall assemble at least once in
every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law
appoint a different Day.

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Wayne T" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

rivendellbicycles.com18033.htmlOpen ↗

The above web site is from Rivendell. Initially they are talking about

Phil

Quoted message said:

Wood Freewheel hubs, but beginning on the 3rd paragraph it asks Why Freewheel? Though they admit
that they have given up on obtaining 5 and

6

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

speed freewheels, they still can get Sun Race for 7 speeds.

They like freewheels because 7 cogs are enough. The chain is stronger. They have heard a lot of
stories about 9 & 10 speed chains breaking. (Anyone have that experience?). You nee a special
chain tool to break

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

chain. You can build stronger wheels with a freewheel as opposed to a cassette wheel which is
more susceptible to failure. Freewheel hub is

much

Quoted message said:

cheaper than a cassette hub. Phil Wood cassette hubs are very

expensive.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Cassette hubs have the pawls, springs, and other parts that eventually

wear

Quoted message said:

out. When the freewheeling mechanism in a freewheel wears out, you just replace the freewheel
($20). When the freewheeling mechanism wears out

in

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

cassette hub (rare in a Phil Wood) you have to replace the hub (or if

it's

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

Phil you can get it serviced)

Needless to say that is distressing. Sound like cassette, though it

does

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

give more gears, is a step down. Makes me think it would be better to

get

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

bunch of Sun Race freewheels. Incidentally, do these freewheels fit the

old

Quoted message said:

125mm spacing? Also, are they decent freewheels? Sure would save a lot

of

Quoted message said:

expensive getting new hubs, shifters, cranks and cassette. Comments?

In all of my years of riding both FW and cassette hubs, I've never broken

a

Quoted message said:

chain spontaneously. Usually there was some other factor involved (like sticks). The chain
argument is bunk.

Cassettes support the axle better because the bearings are outboard on the drive side. A FW hub's
drive-side bearings are inboard where the flange

is,

Quoted message said:

leaving several cm of axle sticking out. While I've never bent an axle, I also haven't been out
doing any loaded tours.

Any more, you're going to find that 99% of the shops out there are going

to

Quoted message said:

stock cassettes/equipment. Unless you happen on a retro-grouch shop, most of the employees won't
know what to do with a FW. Or maybe you'll get one that is going to have a field day unloading all
their old stuff on you!

Yeah, you are confirming what I been thinking all along. I'm fighting a losing battle. Might as well
give in and convert.

Quoted message said:

If you already own all the stuff for FW hubs, upgrading to 8s or 9s is

going

Quoted message said:

to be an undertaking. If you are building a new bike from scratch, now is the perfect time to join
the late 90s... Quality 8s components are

getting

Quoted message said:

harder and harder to find as Campy and Shimano have both gone 9s and 10s.

Hold everything. Maybe I would be better off sticking to freewheels as long as I can. If 8s
components are getting harder and harder find, how long before the samething happens to 9s
components? They may soon be obsoleted by 10s or something else new. Then I will be back where I
started with with the freewheels.

Quoted message said:

Swap meets like the one on the 29th at the San Diego velodrome are

probably

Quoted message said:

your best bet for finding older cassette parts.

Mike "just go with the flow" Shaw (like that Sheldon?)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

snipped<

Quoted message said:

Tell me about it. I have cursed out many a freewheel I've tried to

loosen

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

with an adjustable wrench since I don't have a bench with a vice.

Sigh! Might be expensive, but I may just have to give in and convert

over

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to a cassette.

Quoted message said:

/Marten

"pixelbrainz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The best thing I ever found for getting a freewheel off without a vise is one of those things that
looks like a big aluminum tooth, I think it might be called a pocket vise. About $10 bucks or so.
Good thing to have on a tour; doesn't weigh much and works on any guardrail.

That's the Pocket Pro freewheel tool holder, patented by my very good friend Angel Rodriguez. No
longer in production.

--
Andrew Muzi yellowjersey.orgyellowjersey.orgOpen ↗ Open every day since 1 April 1971

"pixelbrainz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
[q1]>[/q1]
[q2]> > snipped<[/q2]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q2]> > Tell me about it. I have cursed out many a freewheel I've tried to[/q2]
loosen
[q2]> > with an adjustable wrench since I don't have a bench with a vice.[/q2]
[q2]> >[/q2]
[q2]> > Sigh! Might be expensive, but I may just have to give in and convert[/q2]
over
[q2]> > to a cassette.[/q2]
[q3]> > > /Marten[/q3]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> The best thing I ever found for getting a freewheel off without a vise is one of those things that[/q1]
[q1]> looks like a big aluminum tooth, I think it might be called a pocket vise.[/q1]

Not sure what it is, but I will try to find one. Thanks.

About $10 bucks or so. Good thing to have on a
[q1]> tour; doesn't weigh much and works on any guardrail.[/q1]
[q1]>[/q1]
[q1]> L8tr PB[/q1]

"Jon Isaacs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hold everything. Maybe I would be better off sticking to freewheels as

long

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Quoted message said:

as I can.

Quoted message said:

If 8s components are getting harder and harder find, how long before the samething happens to 9s
components? They may soon be

obsoleted

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

by 10s or something else new. Then I will be back where I started with

with

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the freewheels.

Shimano Freehubs are readily available in 7 speed and 8-9 speed. Realize Shimano is still make
zillions of 7 speed cassette bikes and of course 8-9 speed freehubs are the same.

But regardless of what Rivendell says, Freehub style hubs are stronger

than

Quoted message said:

freewheel designs because the length of the unsupported axle in the

freehub is

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much less. Phil Woods hubs seem to be an exception to this but they are expensive and have no
advantage over the cassette design.

Cassettes are also nice because you can custom tailor them, choosing the

cogs

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you want. I recently built a 17-11 8 speed straight block for my TT bike.

Try

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to do that with a freewheel. Of course this is really an advantage when

using

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7 speed equipment because it makes it easier to optimize you choice of

cogs.

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I am not one to jump on every new bandwagon, I try to evaluate changes in

the

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technology from an objective point of view. I have both cassette and

freewheel

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hubs and I have plenty of cogs for both. Cassette hubs are a definite step

up

Quoted message said:

from freewheel hubs.

Ok, thanks. Have you experienced any failures with the freehubs where you had to replace the entire
hub, or is that also false info?

Quoted message said:

Jon Isaacs

wayne-<< Though they admit that they have given up on obtaining 5 and 6 speed freewheels, they still
can get Sun Race for 7 speeds.

5 and 6s freewheels are not hard to find-

<< The chain is stronger. They have heard a lot of stories about 9 & 10 speed chains breaking

Maybe they shouldn't believe everything they 'hear' and either ask bike shops and people that
actually deal with this stuff or see for themselves..9 and 10s chains don't 'break' unless they were
installed incorrectly.

<< You nee a special chain tool to break the chain.

Nope, any chaintool can 'break' a 9 or 10s chain.

<< You can build stronger wheels with a freewheel as opposed to a cassette wheel which is more
susceptible to failure.

Horseshit-altho i agree that 120/6mm wheels are stronger than 130mm casette ones, any decent
wheelbuilder can build a reliable 8/9/10s wheel...We have been doing it for over a decade. 130mm
casette wheels are NOT 'susceptible to failure', what crappola.

<< Freewheel hub is much cheaper than a cassette hub ..

Cheaper sometimes, sometimes not-a Phill freewheel hub with a NOS DA freewheel is a lot more than
say a Campagnolo or shimano hub and casette.

<< When the freewheeling mechanism in a freewheel wears out, you just replace the freewheel ($20)

And expect this to happen a lot with a 20 buck freewheel...

<< When the freewheeling mechanism wears out in a cassette hub (rare in a Phil Wood) you have to
replace the hub (or if it's a Phil you can get it serviced)

ALL cassette hubs I know of have servicable and replaceable freehub bodies..where do they get
this stuff???

<< Sure would save a lot of expensive getting new hubs, shifters, cranks and cassette. Comments?

You can use many casette hubs with older components, just see a bike shop that understands this
stuf...seemingly not Rivendell...

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

"Jon Isaacs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ok, thanks. Have you experienced any failures with the freehubs where

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

had to replace the entire hub, or is that also false info?

My experience as 230 lb masher, thrasher has been that I have had to

replace a

Quoted message said:

few freehub assemblies but I have never had a problem with other failures.

What exactly does replacing a freehub assembly involve? I take it that you don't have to replace the
whole hub. Is that correct? If so, how much do hub assemblies cost?

Quoted message said:

Of course, there are plenty of things like bearings and hub flanges that

can

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fail on both a free hub or a freewheel hub, but I have not had them happen

to

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cassette hubs. I have bent axles on more than a few freewheel rear hubs

in my

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day, 5 and 6 speeders too, that is why I stick to cassette hubs except in situations where they
are inappropriate for vintage reasons.

I think Rivendell has some good thoughts, but they are unlikely to embrace

new

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technology when it is clearly superior.

Myself, I try to question both new and old technology and achieve a

balance

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that provides functional, reliable and enjoyable bikes. I see no need to

go to

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9 speed or 10 speed because I see no need for skinny chains that cost real money and I am
confident I can choose my cogs with sufficient skill that

an

Quoted message said:

additional cog would not be an advantage. 7 and 8 speed index shifting is

more

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than enough.

I take it that you are not concerned that 8 speed cassettes are going to end up being scarce because
manufacturers are going to stop making them like freewheels.

I also like dual pivot brakes but think that the switch to short

Quoted message said:

reach brakes is stupid, stupid, stupid. They just limit tire choices

without

Quoted message said:

any real advantage to the vast majority of riders.

Cassette Hubs: A real improvement.

jon isaacs

Wayne T asked:

Quoted message said:

What exactly does replacing a freehub assembly involve? I take it that you don't have to replace
the whole hub. Is that correct?

Yes. My article on Shimano Cassette Hubs explains this in detail.

See: sheldonbrown.comk7.htmlOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

If so, how much do hub assemblies cost?

Not much. See my commercial Shimano Cassette page:

sheldonbrown.comk7.htmlOpen ↗

Sheldon "Kah-Sept" Brown +------------------------------------------------------+
| What signifies knowing the names if you know not | the natures of things? -- Benjamin Franklin |
+------------------------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 harriscyclery.comharriscyclery.comOpen ↗ Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
captainbike.comcaptainbike.comOpen ↗ sheldonbrown.comsheldonbrown.comOpen ↗

First of all, thank you for clearing up a lot of questions I had in this and your previous
2 messages.

I am resigned to convert over to cassette. Just hope 9 speed doesn't go obsolete in only 10 years in
2013. That isn't all that long a time period. But if things go as they have with freewheels, then 9
speed cassettes should still be available a decade afterwards.

I take it that you do not feel that a 9 speed chain would be a problem under situations of
heavy touring.

Your point of a 20 dollar freewheel being doubtful of a long life seems to make sense. However, the
Shimano HG 6 speeds are selling at loosescrews.com for $21. The most important point though, is that
all cassette hubs have serviceable and replaceable freehubs. How much would one cost for a Ultegra
or DA and is it something I can do or would I have to get a bike store to do it? BTW, how often do
freehubs fail? Any more frequently than freewheels?

You said that I can use cassette hubs with older components. However, I understand that you can't
use it with an existing freewheel hub and I get the impression that a 9 speed can't be used with
older crank sets because they have wider spacing and I assume that the chain could get stuck between
this spacing. Further, I understand that I would have to replace my current barend shifters,
although they are fairly cheap.

You said that there are a lot of great cassette hubs out there besides Phil Wood. I take it that you
don't buy some of the comments that they don't hold up as well as the Phil's and that they are not
as smooth. Also, do you agree with the comment that the Ultegra races are a coarse machine tool
finish. Also, you stated that they tend not to be lubed or adjusted properly. Perhaps it would be
better to go to the DA's?

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

wayne-<< Hold everything. Maybe I would be better off sticking to

freewheels

Quoted message said:

as long as I can. If 8s components are getting harder and harder find, how long before the
samething happens to 9s components?

It has been over a decade since things went from freewheel to casettes and freewheels are stull
available. Even if evrything goes to 'light drive',

there

Quoted message said:

will be 8/9 and 10s stuff around for a lot of years...worry about 9s stuff

in

Quoted message said:

2013...

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Wayne T said:

I called Rivendell about freewheels. They didn't have any but the Sunrace 7 speeds, but
recommended that I check the loosescrews.com web site. They had 14-34 Shimano HG 6 speeds for $21.
Also, you can get them custom built Shimano Uniglide 6 speeds for around $45.

Hmm, you don't suppose that I would be making a mistake converting to cassette instead of ordering
a bunch of the freewheels? Certainly would be a lot cheaper.

The best freewheel ever made, the Shimano 11-34 7-speed, costs me about $20 from my LBS. It's
available into the foreseeable future so there's no need to stock up.

Sheldon Brown has a good page on this particular freewheel. I don't agree with him that cassette
hubs are categorically better than freewheel hubs, but I do agree with him on the superiority of the
Shimano Mega 7 freewheel: sheldonbrown.commega7Open ↗

Chalo Colina

"Bluto" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Wayne T said:

I called Rivendell about freewheels. They didn't have any but the

Sunrace

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7 speeds, but recommended that I check the loosescrews.com web site.

They

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had 14-34 Shimano HG 6 speeds for $21. Also, you can get them custom

built

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Shimano Uniglide 6 speeds for around $45.

Hmm, you don't suppose that I would be making a mistake converting to cassette instead of
ordering a bunch of the freewheels? Certainly would

be

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a lot cheaper.

The best freewheel ever made, the Shimano 11-34 7-speed, costs me about $20 from my LBS. It's
available into the foreseeable future so there's no need to stock up.

Thanks. Certainly worth looking into, though I don't recall ever seeing one. Does it work with
125mm spacing?

Quoted message said:

Sheldon Brown has a good page on this particular freewheel. I don't agree with him that cassette
hubs are categorically better than freewheel hubs, but I do agree with him on the superiority of
the Shimano Mega 7 freewheel: sheldonbrown.commega7Open ↗

Chalo Colina

In article said:

Quoted message said:

What exactly does replacing a freehub assembly involve? I take it that you don't have to replace
the whole hub. Is that correct? If so, how much do hub assemblies cost?

I really don't know what they cost, I never have bought one, I hear its in the $20 range. Changing
em isn't hard though it does involve pulling the axle. If you do get cassette style hubs, make
sure they are not pre-9 speed DA. They are different breed and the freehubs are expensive and rare
for them.

I know exactly what changing a freehub is like, since I just did one.

To change a freehub, you have to pull the axle and stick a 10 mm Allen (hex) wrench into the middle
of the freehub, where the axle was until just a few moments ago. turn the wrench counterclockwise
until you unscrew the hollow "bolt" you are turning. The freehub is now free for removal, and you
can pull it away cleanly from the hub.

Note that with a typical cup-and-cone bearing set, you're almost sure to have the axle's ball
bearings dropping out like mad during this process. be sure to anticipate this.

The hardest part of the job is probably finding a 10 mm hex wrench. Mine is a Craftsman socket from
Sears. By bike tool standards, it's really cheap, and it works great.

--
Ryan Cousineau, [email hidden] sfu.ca~rcousineOpen ↗ President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club

Bluto said:

The best freewheel ever made, the Shimano 11-34 7-speed, costs me about $20 from my LBS. It's
available into the foreseeable future so there's no need to stock up.

I notice on Sheldon Brown's site that this is designed for 126 mm spacing - the same as six speed
freewheels. Can I just subsitute one of these onto my older bike (friction shifting) presuming the
derailer can take up enough chain?

"Wayne T" <[email hidden]> wrote:

(me):

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The best freewheel ever made, the Shimano 11-34 7-speed, costs me about $20 from my LBS. It's
available into the foreseeable future so there's no need to stock up.

Thanks. Certainly worth looking into, though I don't recall ever seeing one. Does it work with
125mm spacing?

Yes.

Chalo Colina