One of the jobs I wanted to do with the free Dawes I got was to fit a block with wider ratios to attack our lovely south pennine hills. I have a couple of six speed freewheels lying around so late last night I popped out to have a go.
Out came the solid axle and I checked which tool I needed, I noted that it was Shimano and curiously it specified the tightening torque. "Never seen that on a freewheel before" I thought. Then I slotted in the tool and turned it and the sprockets turned too. Without thinking I dug out the chain whip. And as it released with very little force the penny finally dropped. It's a lock ring.
Sure enough what we have here is a six speed cassette. The hub appears to be Shimano Altus, the lock ring is definitely Shimano. So it appears to be a genuine Shimano part.
So the next time somebody mentions they have a six speed cassette don't be too quick to jump in to tell them that they actually have a freewheel.
Only problem is I stand virtually no chance of being able to find a replacement cassette with wider ratios, so I'll have to make to with what I've got until I get a new wheel.
Out came the solid axle and I checked which tool I needed, I noted that it was Shimano and curiously it specified the tightening torque. "Never seen that on a freewheel before" I thought. Then I slotted in the tool and turned it and the sprockets turned too. Without thinking I dug out the chain whip. And as it released with very little force the penny finally dropped. It's a lock ring.
Sure enough what we have here is a six speed cassette. The hub appears to be Shimano Altus, the lock ring is definitely Shimano. So it appears to be a genuine Shimano part.
So the next time somebody mentions they have a six speed cassette don't be too quick to jump in to tell them that they actually have a freewheel.
Only problem is I stand virtually no chance of being able to find a replacement cassette with wider ratios, so I'll have to make to with what I've got until I get a new wheel.