6 speed freewheel

[naffets]

After a 6 speed freewheel for my build up mostly dura ace 7400 series have a 52x42 chainset
and will be using it in the the peak district so will prob need a 28 to get me out of trouble
but seems most are 14x28 thinking you might spin out and wondered if any one does a 13x28 or similair?
cheers

 

[bigfatron]

Re:

52/14 would be about 35mph at 120 cadence, you'd be a way from spinning out there I think?

I got hung up on having a 54/12 big gear, then I only ever used it going down a mountain, 53/14 is my big gear now and I rarely use that. Mind you, I'm no ex pro.......!

Richie

 

[naffets]

Re:

Fair point Richie just that on my summer steed I have a 52x11 even though im rarely in it
apart from some of the descents in the peaks I just thought it a big jump to 52x14.
It looks like to get a 13x28 usually comes in a 7 speed.
Found a few 13x24 but might stuggle a tad on some of the steep ascents in the peaks
on a 42x24

 

[bigfatron]

I've collected various Suntour (particularly Winner Pro) freewheels and taken them apart to make my own set up, the beauty of them being that as long as you have the right spacers you can make 5, 6 or 7 speed freewheels.
I'm on 7 speed and have made 13/34 (mountains with long cage new rally mech!), 12/24 for every day and my favourite, a 13/26. It's my favourite as when you use a 39 ring you still look good(ish) uphill!
Richie

 

[naffets]

Re:

Thats great advice,with me being a novice in retro build can I therefore buy any make of freewheel and mix and match cogs I am building up with dura ace and some suntour index down shifters which hopefully should work with shimano on my understanding I don't need an index specific freewheel or does it help?

 

[bigfatron]

you'll need to use the right cogs with the freewheel body, I'm not sure if any makes are compatible, ie Regina with Maiilard, I'd doubt that very much. google Sheldon Brown and have a look there, it's a great resource for things like freewheel advice.

Suntour are the easiest which is why I use them, they were designed to be easily servicable at home with the right tools and are threaded/slotted as appropriate to the position in the cluster - two chainwhips will unscrew it if the freewheel is on the wheel and it's been cleaned and wd40'd/plus gas'd, but mind your knuckles.
as to indexing I don't know I'm afraid, I'm strictly a Simplex retrofriction man