----- Original Message ----- From: "Emanuel Lowi" <lowiemanuel@yahoo.ca> Subject: [CR]Re: chain chain chain
> As usual, the CR list is just great.
>
> The only anachronistic parts right now on my otherwise all 1977-78
> Macklam is a Dura Ace 6-speed freewheel (probably around 1982, but soooo
> much smoother and quieter running than the period-exact
> Regina-Suntour-Everest-Maillard options) and an SRAM chain. Oh, yeh,
> modern tires (of course): this is my daily & only rider.
... -- the SRAM does shift very very nicely with the Dura Ace fw & Campy SR
set-up.
>
> Emanuel Lowi
I, too, find both the 7 and 6-speed Shimano Z, 600 and Dura-Ace freewheels give really precise shifting action with modern, "8-speed"-width chains.
I use HG chain and a Duopar derailer with 7-speed D-A freewheel on my Trek 710, with Aero Symmetric friction shifters. This works great even on race-training rides in hilly terrain. Amazing slap-action shifts with a minimum of fine-tuning.
On my Raleigh Pro it's a NR derailer with the 600, 6-speed freewheel, and after first trying Sedisport, I use a modern IRD 8-speed chain which is much quieter and so much more forgiving when shifted during the most stressful conditions. Again, fantastic shifting action, I can hardly imagine better.
On my Masi, I store the original freewheel and chain in a box, and fitted an Ultra-6 freewheel and HG chain. This setup is much harder to shift accurately than the others and I'm now thinking of fitting a 5-speed 13-24t Shimano Uniglide Z freewheel. Credit the Suntour's blocky teeth which were designed during the 5-speed era, and show it. This Ultra spacing is very similar to 7 and 8-speed freewheels.
I've had downshift problems using modern "8-speed" chain on Stronglight chainsets, as there is slippage when the chain "rides" atop the small ring's teeth. Same problem using an 86mm bcd SR Apex triple chainset, even with the original wide HKK chain! On my Campy NR chainsets, I use modern chain without problems.
Newer chains seem to be quieter and longer-lasting, and definitly work better with scant lubrication. Older chains are noisy without real oil.
I keep the original parts around for when it's time to sell or if I were to curtail my mileage sharply. Not that I'm looking foreward to that.
David Snyder
Auburn, CA