Raleigh Record Sprint + 7 Speed freewheel??

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stevesey

New Member
Have dusted off the old girl - 2 25km rides last weekend and 50km today (all @ 22kph).

Anyway can I fit a 7 speed Shimano Tourney HG37 in place of the 6 speed - I've seen a few posts suggesting it can be done. 13 (from 14) at the bottom would help crusing/downhill and the 28 at the top would really help up the hills (possibly with a 38T front as well - if the 28 is not enough).
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
You might struggle with axle length with a 7 speed some accept a 7 on the screw but the tube spacer is not long enough so the smallest cog fouls the frame, on others there is room. Its a "suck it and see jobbie" at your friendly small LBS.
I fitted my Raleigh Equipe with reconditioned Maillard wide flange hubs and they were originally 5 speed, but would just accept a 6 speed so if you have a 6 speed hub you might get away with a 7
 

RecordAceFromNew

Swinging Member
Location
West London
Have dusted off the old girl - 2 25km rides last weekend and 50km today (all @ 22kph).

Anyway can I fit a 7 speed Shimano Tourney HG37 in place of the 6 speed - I've seen a few posts suggesting it can be done. 13 (from 14) at the bottom would help crusing/downhill and the 28 at the top would really help up the hills (possibly with a 38T front as well - if the 28 is not enough).

It depends on your 6 speed freewheel, because while rare Ultra 6 exist and they are only as wide as a 5 speed. But chance is your sprockets are going to be 5.5mm apart, then you should be fine.

If you are buying a freewheel with a larger large sprocket you would need to check if the existing chain is long enough, if you are using the existing chain.
 
OP
OP
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stevesey

New Member
It depends on your 6 speed freewheel, because while rare Ultra 6 exist and they are only as wide as a 5 speed. But chance is your sprockets are going to be 5.5mm apart, then you should be fine.

If you are buying a freewheel with a larger large sprocket you would need to check if the existing chain is long enough, if you are using the existing chain.
Been doing some measuring - 120mm dropout :-( sprockets looks like 5.25mm with an overall dimension of 28mm (possibly 5.35/28.6 after looking at Shedlon's crib sheet - http://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html)

Shimano HG is 5mm/31.9mm - so an extra 3.5-4mm width.

Key question is where is the extra 4mm - if that's extra offset on the wheel side I'm OK. 2mm either side I'm OK - just (most likely?). All 4mm on the frame side and I'd need to cold set the frame by a couple of mm and add a washer/spacer either side of the axle.

Chain length - should be OK - big -> big might be tight - but I shouldn't be using that. Then again a new chain wouldn't hurt.
 
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RecordAceFromNew

Swinging Member
Location
West London
Been doing some measuring - 120mm dropout :-( sprockets looks like 5.25mm with an overall dimension of 28mm (possibly 5.35/28.6 after looking at Shedlon's crib sheet - http://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html)

Shimano HG is 5mm/31.9mm - so an extra 3.5-4mm width.

Key question is where is the extra 4mm - if that's extra offset on the wheel side I'm OK. 2mm either side I'm OK - just (most likely?). All 4mm on the frame side and I'd need to cold set the frame by a couple of mm and add a washer/spacer either side of the axle.

Chain length - should be OK - big -> big might be tight - but I shouldn't be using that. Then again a new chain wouldn't hurt.

Goodness you are unlucky... Ultra 6 freewheels are nearly as rare as hens teeth nowadays, and you have got one!

They should have a stack width of c27mm, while a 7 speed is c32mm. You might be able to get away with less, and as you indicated without redish, if you see how much clearance there is between the 14T with chain on and the seat stay you can steal (and a 13T will give you a little more room). Don't spread / cold set your frame if the steel is exotic, or if it is not steel.
 
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OP
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stevesey

New Member
Well it fits :biggrin: :biggrin:

With the aid of a washer on the drive side, without that the chain just rubs the dropout. No cold setting - and wasn't really aware of springing the frame much to get the wheel back on with the washer. Checked the centre of the wheel with a long steel rule and it looks spot on. Needed to adjust the derailleur to get up onto the 7th 28T cog. That was about it. Haven't ridden yet as it's dark/wet now (and rain forecast for the weekend :sad: )

Re-greased the bearings - not sure if I they need a tweak can feel a slight movement at the rim.
 
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