I just finished my 1988 Giant Escaper. It doesn't have a cassette, but a 6 speed freewheel with 14-32 gearing from Maillard. As it was worn and the freewheel had some play, I thought I could replace it easely with a 6 speed freewheel from Shimano (is it HG50?). It has 13-28 gearing, but they are pretty cheap. Now it turns out the spacing between the sprockets is different as it won't work with the MT60 thumbies in SiS mode. Comparing the two shows that the spacing on Maillard is smaller. Is this called Compact? What other freewheel option do I have? Type of the original is actually 700 Super course (yep, it is a road version!?)
6 speed freewheel sprocket spacing?
- Thread starter Senri
- Start date
I think that you will find it is a 5.0mm spacing. Usually it's 5.5mm. 5.0mm is the same as 7 speed.
It's also important to realise that it is a non-hyperglide cassette - the cog teeth are much longer for example, and it doesn't have the cut-down teeth for shifting.
Probably easiest is to fit a Shimano cassette - then sell on the Maillard. The long teeth means that they last for ages - much longer than Shimano - and will be useful to the Touring crowd, or for rebuilding a retro tourer.
A surprising number of people on the CTC forum still seem to use Freewheels. Quite why escapes me, seeming as freehubs are way stronger on axle breakages.
It's also important to realise that it is a non-hyperglide cassette - the cog teeth are much longer for example, and it doesn't have the cut-down teeth for shifting.
Probably easiest is to fit a Shimano cassette - then sell on the Maillard. The long teeth means that they last for ages - much longer than Shimano - and will be useful to the Touring crowd, or for rebuilding a retro tourer.
A surprising number of people on the CTC forum still seem to use Freewheels. Quite why escapes me, seeming as freehubs are way stronger on axle breakages.
Thanks! I will measure the spacing when I am home, but I guess your are right. In my case, the use of the freewheel is only out of orginality plus I don't want to loose the high flange hub.
Is there a way to know which freewheels had which spacing? Using the friction mode on the shifter is not so handy for off-road usage, so I would like to have a 6 speed freewheel that works with my thumbies.
Is there a way to know which freewheels had which spacing? Using the friction mode on the shifter is not so handy for off-road usage, so I would like to have a 6 speed freewheel that works with my thumbies.
Senri":2wcrq34z said:
The late Sheldon Brown's site has the answer, as it so often does:
http://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#spacing
However, I don't think your type / brand of freewheel is listed, so you may need to use a vernier caliper with a depth gauge to measure it.
I think the reason why many people still use freewheels is that they feel the ratchet / pawl mechanisms are both more reliable and more easily serviceable than freehub bodies.
Freehubs do give the potential advantage of a lesser chance of axle breakage, but if that isn't or hasn't been a problem for you then you start looking at secondary considerations. There is a weight advantage too of course, but that may or may not be important to you.
I have only ever had problems with two freewheel axles breaking in the past, both of which were relatively cheap and had stress-risers manufactured into them at the breaking points. I have done a lot of mountain biking and loaded touring on SunTour XC-Pro freewheel hubs without a jot of trouble.
Dr. Matt...
Sorry, when I said Shimano Cassette I meant freewheel - 14-28 is still available. Force of habit!
I agree that freehub bodies are effectively throwaway items. If you use freewheels, then it's best never to fit a 13T one, as the cog overhangs the end of the insides causing a water trap which then works its way into the bearings.
Some older freewheels were superb quality - sadly the ones made today are pretty poor by comparison.
I've never had a freehub axle break, but have dismantled one that run roughly only to discover that the freehub body locking bolt (the hollow one you undo with a 10mm allen key) had sheared off at the outboard end. Fortunately the pressure from the axle and bearings was holding it all together with the body still locked onto the drive spline on the hub.
I agree that freehub bodies are effectively throwaway items. If you use freewheels, then it's best never to fit a 13T one, as the cog overhangs the end of the insides causing a water trap which then works its way into the bearings.
Some older freewheels were superb quality - sadly the ones made today are pretty poor by comparison.
I've never had a freehub axle break, but have dismantled one that run roughly only to discover that the freehub body locking bolt (the hollow one you undo with a 10mm allen key) had sheared off at the outboard end. Fortunately the pressure from the axle and bearings was holding it all together with the body still locked onto the drive spline on the hub.
Only this Giant is using a freewheel of the MTB's, but all my roadbikes do have them. Never had a problem and like mentioned, some are really nice quality. When I bought this oine, the axle was just a bit bend though...
I just measured the sprocket spacing. The original Maillard is 5mm, but the new Shimano one is 6mm! I am gald though the Maillard is 5, as that seem to be a pretty normal, making it easier to find.
Thanks for the help!
I just measured the sprocket spacing. The original Maillard is 5mm, but the new Shimano one is 6mm! I am gald though the Maillard is 5, as that seem to be a pretty normal, making it easier to find.
Thanks for the help!
I get really mad with this thing. After much reading and googling I thought I had it; statements that said that all HG's have similar spacing.
So I bought me a HG22 freewheel (14-2
of ebay and guess what...... it is 5.5mm!!!! So now I have two new Shimano freewheels and it is still not working. :evil:
Edit: funny how the cog size turns up as cool....
So I bought me a HG22 freewheel (14-2
of ebay and guess what...... it is 5.5mm!!!! So now I have two new Shimano freewheels and it is still not working. :evil:Edit: funny how the cog size turns up as cool....
