Altering gearing on a Dawes Lightning

[Archie_tect]

Finally got round to doing up my old Dawes Lightning that I bought new in 1983... replaced the old rear derailleur with a newer spare one which has helped but before going out on it tomorrow for a test I looked at the gearing compared to my hybrid and I might be struggling up hills. Rear cassette is 14-24 and front 40/52, which boggled me a bit!

Now I can replace the old steel rear wheel which is looking very tired [and both 32mm tyres which are a few years pld for 25mm] and I can then fit a replacement 7 speed cassette [say a Shimano CS‑HG50 K] as the old wheel has an integral 5 speed cassette, but a new 3 chainring might suit!

But, I might end up then having to replace both derailleurs as well... where do you stop!

Thanks for any advice which will be gratefully received- I'd be daft to keep spending money replacing bits and pieces...alternatively I just need to get fitter to get up the hills with it as it is!

 

[Shaun]

Moved from General Cycling.

 

[Archie_tect]

Moved from General Cycling.

Thanks Shaun.

 

[Archie_tect]

Further complicated by the news that a friend's daughter works for Specialized down south and he might be able to get discount off a proper bike... which is a whole new can of worms... but in the meantime still thinking about the new wheel/ cassette vs getting fitter on the old Dawes! [Concentration keeps drifting off to dwell on Tricross vs Allez Triple comparisons....]

 

[tyred]

You can use a wide range freewheel block, available in 5, 6 or 7 speed formats which will have a range 14-28. There was someone selling 13-32 6 speed blocks on Ebay a while back (have one in my Pug, works a treat). They were still available last time I looked.

Something like 36/48 double on the front would work well with a standard 14 - 28 imo but gearing is really a matter of personal opinion.

 

[Archie_tect]

Thanks tyred.

Having managed to climb hills on my hybrid I've always imagined that it will be a different league to doing the same on a road bike, but using the unaltered Dawes bike would be a good comparison to see what I changes I'll need to do Makes me realise how unfit I really am!

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

If you have a 10 speed from 1983 chance is that your hub is 120mm wide between dropouts, if so it can only take modern 5 speed freewheels (since Ultra6 are no longer available). Modern 6 and 7 speed freewheels need a wider hub.

Fairly wide range 5 speed freewheels are still available. If you have downtube shifters which is likely this is 14-32 e.g. Depending on what you have at the moment you will need a longer chain and possibly a new rear mech.

 

[Archie_tect]

That's perfect RAFN...though getting the old one off might be interesting after 28 years.

My bike has the original unindexed downtube shifters [but I'm well used to them] + extra chain links so that's not a problem.... and the rear derailleur replacement has plenty of throw and clearance.
Hang on...off to measure the dropout clearance. 120mm! Thanks for the detailed information and link.

Much appreciated!

 

[Archie_tect]

Ordered 14-32 5-speed freewheel as RAFN's Vintage Parts link... they've been very helpful. Once fitted if it's still a struggle [have to try Ryals again on Sunday so that I can complete Cyclone!] I'll keep sourcing a smaller chain ring pair to make things easier [at least until I get fitter] as tyred's suggestion. Thanks again both. Always been shy of altering things before, but it's good fun!

In the meantime checked it over again but snapped original anchor bolt on front side pull brake [Bicycle Repairman - my LBS recommended replacing side pull with centre pull but will definitely replace 1983 rectangular brake blocks!]... replaced anchor bolt, but had to do very slight drill out, and fitted spare SPDs then pootled off to try it out... it's quick and quiet!

 

[Archie_tect]

Well! New 5 speed freewheel arrived from ebay [£9.99], Fitted yesterday- had to ask LBS [Bicycle Repairman in Prudhoe] to take off the old one off which they did swapping over a spacer to even up. Rest of set up all original but what a difference the 14-32 range makes! Did 22 miles last night including the short incline up out of Stamfordham to Belasy easily. Got caught up in the Tyneside Tornadoes 25 mile time trial along the A696 from Belsay back to Pont and was only passed by 2 riders!