Having posted my numerous queries here about all and sundry, i notice that it is not only me who has queries about problems regarding the retro and the new.
My departure from cycling between 28 years ago and now has left a huge crater in my knowledge. And, the funny bit is, my old knowledge is of no use now as things have changed so much! Try explaining a Helicomatic freehub to someone aged 20 and you will understand.
Tonight's problem is unusual - i have posted previously about my rear Helicomatic freewheel and more recently about my front Campag hub. Whilst at my LBS, i asked about changing one or the other to to something more modern or changing the Helicomatic hub to a matching Campag. My LBS guy advised me that he had two unused Mavic CXP 22 rims on Shimano hubs for sale at £100. After some thinking i have decided to purchase them - it leaves me in a place where i can decide (without time constraints) about what i want to do with my old wheels and, i think, although costly, this is worthwhile. Strangely, these are the same rims which are on my new bike - and they may do as spares should i damage the new wheels.
My query for tonight is - (and for older knowledgeable people) the cassette which i will be supplied with is NEW - unlike my original freewheel/sprockets. It may require spacers and my old freewheel is an ULTRA SEVEN - which (for those of a younger age) is a freewheel which has seven sprockets BUT which takes up the space of SIX sprockets. ie ULTRA means skinny!
Has anyone any experience of doing this and are there any consequences? I am guessing that the new spindle should take 9 sprockets (on a new bike) - although they would be slim; i would be happy with 7 and no change to my chain but the spacers may cause me more sleepless nights. Is it possible to purchase a 'custom' cassette = 12,13,14,15,16,17,18 - and 19,20 if possible to replace my Helicomatic AND still have it work?
Any (and i mean ANY) advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am learning very quickly that trying to keep my bike 'retro' is very, very difficult but should i get items which i cannot use, i am trying to make sure i can get use out of them elsewhere - a pure nightmare.
P.S. If Tel is reading this - your advice is probably the most sound yet - restore to original condition!!!! (keep the incredible polishing up)
P.P.S. If this is confusing anyone, feel free to query anything
Thanks to all who read this - in anticipation.
My departure from cycling between 28 years ago and now has left a huge crater in my knowledge. And, the funny bit is, my old knowledge is of no use now as things have changed so much! Try explaining a Helicomatic freehub to someone aged 20 and you will understand.
Tonight's problem is unusual - i have posted previously about my rear Helicomatic freewheel and more recently about my front Campag hub. Whilst at my LBS, i asked about changing one or the other to to something more modern or changing the Helicomatic hub to a matching Campag. My LBS guy advised me that he had two unused Mavic CXP 22 rims on Shimano hubs for sale at £100. After some thinking i have decided to purchase them - it leaves me in a place where i can decide (without time constraints) about what i want to do with my old wheels and, i think, although costly, this is worthwhile. Strangely, these are the same rims which are on my new bike - and they may do as spares should i damage the new wheels.
My query for tonight is - (and for older knowledgeable people) the cassette which i will be supplied with is NEW - unlike my original freewheel/sprockets. It may require spacers and my old freewheel is an ULTRA SEVEN - which (for those of a younger age) is a freewheel which has seven sprockets BUT which takes up the space of SIX sprockets. ie ULTRA means skinny!
Has anyone any experience of doing this and are there any consequences? I am guessing that the new spindle should take 9 sprockets (on a new bike) - although they would be slim; i would be happy with 7 and no change to my chain but the spacers may cause me more sleepless nights. Is it possible to purchase a 'custom' cassette = 12,13,14,15,16,17,18 - and 19,20 if possible to replace my Helicomatic AND still have it work?
Any (and i mean ANY) advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am learning very quickly that trying to keep my bike 'retro' is very, very difficult but should i get items which i cannot use, i am trying to make sure i can get use out of them elsewhere - a pure nightmare.
P.S. If Tel is reading this - your advice is probably the most sound yet - restore to original condition!!!! (keep the incredible polishing up)
P.P.S. If this is confusing anyone, feel free to query anything
Thanks to all who read this - in anticipation.