5 speed upgrade

[andrewbishop66]

First hi to all
not sure if this should be in the racing section or here so will try here first
I have been given an old pat hanlon road bike but the rear 5 speed block is worn on no 3 what is the maximum size i can replace it with (ie 7 speed) i dont wont to change the rear wheel so it will have to be a screw on block the distance between the frame is 120mm

any advice is welcome

Thanks andrew

 

[tyred]

Any thread on freewheel will fit your hub but the spacing of the frame on your bike is for 5 speed. It would be necessary to spread the frame, re-space the axle (is it long enough?) to suit and probably re-dish the wheel to fit a 7 speed freewheel. The difference isn't that much in reality and a steel frame will "spring" wide enough but it will move the drop outs slightly out of parallel.

 

[asterix]

Have you tried Spa Cycles? They offer http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s112p0] these freewheels [/url] although I don't know what spacing they need..

They are pretty clued up so I guess a phone call with all the data might be worth a punt.