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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1534.0. "updating wheels on 70's bike" by JUPITR::BARWISE () Wed May 09 1990 14:31

    
    I'm interested in having a set of new clincher wheels built to replace 
    the tubular wheels on my mid-70's era Motobecane "Le Champion."  I
    haven't ridden much in 10 years and was subsequently surprised to see
    how much the world of bikes and components has changed.  The thing that
    has made it difficult is that bike shops are telling me that it's
    just about impossible to get 5 speed freewheels and the rear hubs they
    mount on. In order have a new set built, they say I'll have to have the
    rear triangle widened by 5mm to accomodate a modern replacement hub. My only
    other choice is to reuse my present hubset and use the same freewheel. 
    Although I'd like to modernize the whole wheel/freewheel system, the
    cost is prohibitive. 
    Do any of you experienced riders/mechanics have any experience with
    what I'm going through? Where can I get parts that can be used on a 
    70's frame? Any related thoughts?
    
    Thanks,
    
    rob
                                     
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1534.1Where I'd look first.QUICKR::FISHERDictionary is not.Wed May 09 1990 15:0813
    If you want to modernize, have the frame cold-set to widen the rear
    triangle.  If not, I'd drop a dime to a few of the older bike shops to
    see what they have in stock.  Nault's in Manchester, NH, Gamache's in
    Fitchburg, Goodale's in Nashua perhaps Wheelworks and the Bicycle
    Exchange are some that come to mind.  I would expect that you could
    convert a 6 speed hub by dropping a spacer and changing the axle, if
    you had to, though the shorter axle might be hard to come by too.
    
    Then, too, there's a lot of kid bikes out there on 5 spd rear ends and
    if you don't mind a lower quality part, you could use some of the
    replacement parts for them.
    
    ed
1534.2FWIWMAMIE::CAMPBELL_SThu May 10 1990 11:217
    
    
    For what it's worth, I have a 70's era Raleigh Competition that has
    5 speed spacing, and I just spread the rear dropouts to accomodate
    a 6 speed hub.  Never had any problems with it.
    
    S
1534.3brute force method?JUPITR::BARWISEThu May 10 1990 11:328
    
    
    How did you go about spreading the dropouts? By hand, with tools..?
    I'd almost opt for trying your method if I knew I wasn't going to 
    spread it too far or one side farther than the other.
    
    rob
    
1534.4Try it, you'll like it....MAMIE::CAMPBELL_SThu May 10 1990 12:157
    
    My "method" was just to put the wheel in position and then spread 
    the dropouts by hand untill the wheel slid in.  You can do it by hand
    as it will take very little force.
    
    Good luck
    Stew
1534.5Retro-fitting ?MFGMEM::DERRICOThu May 10 1990 13:0817
       I'm sort of in the same predicament myself. I have an older 
    Fuji Special Tourer that I'd like to rebuild. I wasn't shure if
    widening the rear dropouts by using a wider set would put too
    much strain on the joints.
    
       As far as 5-speed hubs, I think the only catalog that carries 
    them still is Nasbar, Performance doesn't even list them! I think
    they are Suntour'.
    
       I do have a question on the derailleurs: I have the OLD side 
    attatched derailleur instead of the newer version that bolts right
    into the dropout. Is it possible to use the bracket from the old
    one to mount a newer model? Or would I just have to go with a cheaper 
    model? 
    
    
    John
1534.6try to stick with 5-Speed spacingTOOK::R_WOODBURYThu May 10 1990 18:5928
    re: .0 -
    
    Last year I restored and upgraded my Atala touring bike I've had since
    1970. It has Campy hubs, a five-speed (120mm) axle, etc. By carefully
    choosing my gearing, I was able to get a good choice of ratios near my
    average gear. This has eliminated any lingering desires for a 12- or
    14-speed setup.
    
    There are many 5-speed freewheels available (still!) which are as good
    as or better than what was available 15-20 years ago. I chose a
    Shimano, since I'm using SIS (the derailleur stops are turned in so I
    only get 5 - instead of 6 - cogs).
    
    Don't be mislead by what you hear - it's really not the hub shells that
    are wider in many cases, it's just a longer axle with an additional
    spacer. If you really want to, you can remove a spacer, and, if
    required, cut an axle down.
    
    One last thing, before you bend your frame: have you tried to find any
    Suntour Ultra-six freewheels (requiring a narrower chain than the one
    which came on your Moto). They fit on a 5-speed hub and give you 12
    speeds.
    
    The next time you're in a bike shop, pick up an issue of Velo-News. One
    of the mail-order places was selling "old-style" Campy stuff.
    
    Bon Chance!
    Roger
1534.7a couple more ideasARCHER::GOODWIN_SThu May 10 1990 21:4616
    	. Nashbar still sells Suntour Alpha 5-spd freewheels.
    	  The down-side is that they aren't very high quality...
    	  an ultra-6 might be a good choice if you can find one
    	  because many modern chains have switched to the narrow
    	  profile.
    
    	. Licktons mail order still sells Phil Wood 5-spd hubs.
    	  These are top quality, but they aren't cheap either.
    
    	. I would not recommend spreading the drop-outs to
    	  accomodate a 6-spd hub... you could end up with frame
    	  alignment problems.
    
    	. Good luck in your search!
    
    /Steve
1534.8I suppose I'm just jealousQUICKR::FISHERDictionary is not.Fri May 11 1990 08:457
    Of course, if you keep the bike as a 10 speed, you will have a problem
    with the 4 new terrain and wind combinations that have been invented in
    the last decade.
    
    :-)
    
    ed
1534.9the end...?JUPITR::BARWISEFri May 11 1990 12:5720
    
    I'll have to watch out for those new terrain and wind combinations!
    
    
    As an update, I installed the six speed wheel from my wife's bike
    onto my frame. I was easily able to spread the frame to fit the
    wheel. Judging from how little pressure I had to use, I don't feel
    it will add excessive stress to the tubing or joints. I think actual
    cold re-alignment/bending of the frame would be more stressful since
    the rear triangle would have to be bent past the point at which it is
    now, in order for it to stay at the new width. 
    Also, I stopped in at Fritz's in West Boylston and they've got plenty
    of 5 speed freewheels (also French-thread bottom brackets, but that's
    another story!) Unless the wheel I tried from my wife's bike is somehow
    different from the the norm, I am relieved and out of panic mode!
    
    Thanks for all your help!!!
    
    rob
    
1534.10a British bikeALLVAX::JROTHIt's a bush recording...Fri May 11 1990 18:1715
    I have a "Holdsworth Special", which has only 5 speed rear axle
    spacing.  Not too many people know what it is when they see it.
    I have fenders mounted on it.  Charlie Lamb (the BMB organizer)
    calls it a "real randennours bike" :-)

    I've never bothered to have the frame cold set to fix the rear wheel
    spacing but may do it when I have the headset replaced (it has the
    proverbial notch in it.)  Hopefully someone competent can do
    the work - (does Peter Moony do this kind of thing?)

    It would probably be a good time to have the frame alignment checked
    too.  I'm embarassed to admit how many miles are on that frame.  Long
    live steel!

    - Jim
1534.11alignments in worcesterJUPITR::BARWISEMon May 14 1990 09:5611
    
    
    re: .10
    
    Bicycle Alley (Webster Sq. in Worcester) does frame alignments. They
    have a phamphlet describing the process and showing various options and
    prices.
    
    rob
    
                                                        
1534.12Hi E rims. WMOIS::N_FLYEWed Jun 20 1990 03:1332
    
    I have heard of Hi E hubs but not rims.  I recently picked up a pair
    for very cheap.  I was told they were from the early to mid 70's.
    
    By the looks of them they were very high tech at the time.  They are
    non-anodized tubular rims.  Very light (9.6oz.).  Sorry don't have my
    conversion for grams.  They are 36 hole and held together at the seam
    by an aluminum insert and two rivets.  
    They are not extruded.  The eyelets double as rivets to hold the two
    sides of the rim together. 
    
    
        -----                         -----
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        |   ----------      -----------   |
        |                                 |
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        |          			  |
        |                                 |
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        |                                 |
        |             |    |---------------
        --------------|    |--   The metal is folded over the opposite side
    				 and held together with the eyelet.
    
    Does anyone know anything else about Hi E rims?