Can I run a 10 speed in an 80s steel frame?

[Deleted member 24574]

My bike has 6 speed with friction shifters, could I slip in modern wheel, change the chain and run a 10 speed?

That way I could preserve my renovated old wheels, which are tubs which are also a pita if you puncture.

 

[bananaman]

think id be tight and hub would need changing! u dont get 10 spd freewheel as most were back then! also the 10 would be cassette u see!

 

[Deleted member 24574]

What I mean is using a completely different wheel. Saving the original wheels/tubs for best.

 

[bananaman]

its all pending on on space! cassettes these days are compact however u would need a new rear mech and and shifter as the range wouldnt work!

 

[Deleted member 24574]

I guess my main concern was springing the rear triangle open a bit as 10 speed I believe is 130mm and 6 speed is 126mm.

 

[Deleted member 24574]

its all pending on on space! cassettes these days are compact however u would need a new rear mech and and shifter as the range wouldnt work!

Why would I need a new rear mech and shifter? It's friction so no issue with indexing.

 

[bananaman]

dont know if it will loosen that far on the mech? dont know i could be wrong!

 

[Deleted member 24574]

What do you mean "loosen"? Do you mean teeth capacity?

 

[bm0p700f]

The stay will proably spread. However your main issue will be chain/seat stay clearance. You may have enough or you may have to massage the stays to get clearance. A 6 speed mech should work on 10 speed but the chain may run a bit rough over the wider teeth on the jockey wheels. A cheap 9 speed mech will work fine though.

6 speed mechs also were designed with a range of movement for 6 speed freewheel. A 10 speed is wider so more lever movment would be required. Mybe too much. I have never tried 10 speed friction shifting with a 6 spoeed mech. I will be trying 10 speed friction shifting with a 8 speed mech soon though. There is only one way to find out if these things work.

 

[GasPipeWarrior]

My bike has 6 speed with friction shifters, could I slip in modern wheel, change the chain and run a 10 speed?

That way I could preserve my renovated old wheels, which are tubs which are also a pita if you puncture.

I suspect your six speed chain would not work with a ten speed cassette, so you may have to change your chain. Not sure whether changing to a ten speed chain would require a change in dérailleurs though.