70s/80s Duravia chainset question

Hi all

I recently bought a 70's/80's Duravia "Type Grand Tourist(e?) [the decal is peeling off at the end so not sure about the last 'e'...!]. It's got a Stronglight 50 (3 arm) chainset/Stronglight TS crankset; and a close ratio 6-speed cassette at the back, on 120mm spacing.

The chain keeps skipping/clunking when I apply anything more than light pressure on the pedals. I assumed when I bought it that this would be a sprocket/chainset issue [unless anyone here disagrees?], and that it wouldn't be a problem.....

Of course it turns out that it's going to be a little saga, from the advice I've already sought at my local bike shop!

Some questions that I would really appreciate some of you knowledgable people answering:

1) Do I need to replace the chainset AND the cassette, or is it more likely that it's EITHER the chainset OR the cassette? If so, how do i know which it is?
2) Do I need to replace the cassette like-for-like, in terms of make/model, or will any 6 (or 7 according to Sheldon) speed cassette do as a replacement?
3) Any ideas/tips/advice you can offer would be great, to help me on my way in this baptism by fire!

Thanks guys!

I'm no expert, but I would suspect this is a freewheel/chain problem. Six speed is much more likely to be a screw-on freewheel rather a cassette. Happily, both 6 speed freewheels and chains are readily available and not unduly expensive. I would change both components at the same time and you MAY be able to fix the problem without changing your chainset (possibly a pricier purchase).

Or, if you have a friend with a suitable rear wheel, you could simply substitute this as a test and see if that fixes the problem? Sprockets and chains wear together (and chain wear can be measured with a gauge), so it's almost inevitable (not to mention desirable) that you chain may need replacing.

Others will know more

HW

Forgot to say that you don't need to replace with like for like. Some possibilities are here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cycling-/7294 ... kw=6+speed

HW

As hillwalker says it sounds like a freewheel / chain problem. BITD we always changed the "block and chain" together to avoid the problem. Luckily new freewheel / chain does not cost the earth

Shaun

Brilliant, thanks guys. I've now bought a new (NOS) 6 speed freewheel (with French thread, as it's a vintage Duravia) and a new (almost) stronglight TS chainset from BITD too, for good measure, as the one on the bike is looking like a load of shark fins... Can I just get a normal modern chain for these or do I have to do more trawling?

Thanks again

B

Hi B

a modern 6 speed chain will do just fine. Magic links are so much more convenient than using a chainsplitter/joiner. I would be inclined to spend a little more than for just a basic chain if you've splashed out for a new chainwheel. A ha'poth of tar and all that...

HW