Re: [CR]Homebrew Ultra six freewheels

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

From: <RaleighPro531@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 08:47:12 EDT
Subject: Re: [CR]Homebrew Ultra six freewheels
To: KCTOMMY@msn.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 10/26/2001 9:33:01 PM Eastern Standard Time, KCTOMMY@msn.com writes:


> So I was wondering if there are any current 7 speed freewheels out there
> that can be converted into an ultra six. In particular, I look at the
> Shimano Mega Range seven speed units, and wonder if you could ditch the 34
> tooth cog and use the remaining 14-24 as an ultra freewheel? Or is there
> any modern seven speed freewheel out there that can be converted? Anyone
> succeeded in turning the trick?
>

I think you could take off the 34 but you would have to put in a spacer in it's place. Most all freewheels use cogs that are position specific, the larger being splined and the smaller ones being threaded (and doubling as retainers for the splined cogs.) You just can't hitch them over a place. So removing the largest cog means all the others need to slide over a space and the threaded cogs out on the end won't be able to tighten up enough leaving the splined cogs loose. I think this ruins this for your purposes as the freewheel won't really be narrower on the hub. FWIW I don't buy single speed freewheels, I just dismantle 5 speeds recycled off junk bikes and use them as one or two speeders, after juggling cogs and spacers.

Wes's plan sounds good:
>> "I've taken 12-21 Sachs/Maillard(SRAM) seven cog freewheels and removed the 12 cog to get an indexable (even with Ergo) six speed." << 6, 7, and 8 speed Sachs freewheels are very similiar in construction so you'll find the seventh cog merely screws into the sixth. This was my exact intention for my own indexable six speed. Keep hunting, freewheels are out there!

Peter T. Geurds
Douglassville, PA