Freewheel Question

[Top Ghia]

Hi all

Im currently restoring a Carlton 5 speed bike. After all the elbow grease i would like to use it, however Sheffield is all hills and im often in the basement on my modern bike which has a low of 36X26.

The carlton is 48X25, what are my options for lowering the gearing. Its a long time since a dealt with bikes of this age but i presume the freewheel will be a screw on type. Could i go to 6 speeds?

Thanks in advance.

Resto thread viewtopic.php?f=23&t=302877

 

[jon w]

I've done similar on my Sun 3 speed by reducing the size of the front chain ring to 46. Depending on the chain size and your appetite for strict originality there are plenty of cottered front chain ring ratios, even two ring options if you can find them.

The only thing you'll need to be careful of is chain width as many bikes with cottered cranks use 1/8" chain, but some used narrower.