7 Speed Wheels?

[MacB]

I've picked up a reasonable 'gas pipe' Peugeot road frame, from about 1988-1990, 14 speed and was planning on giving it a spruce up. I didn't bother with the wheels as they were shocking but there are some nice parts. I've respaced the rear to 130mm and could take various options but the frame has some really nice Shimano 7 speed DT shifters.

Am I right in thinking I could just whack in a standard road wheel and put on a 7 speed cassette by using a spacer? I quite fancy the SRAM 12-32 and the chainset rings are newish 42/52.

If that's doable then I'll whack in a new BB, cabling, brake levers, bar tape, chain, headset - I think both FD and RD are ok but not expensive to replace.

Also would people stay with the original quill stem or take the opportunity to use a qull to ahead converter?

 

[TheDoctor]

Yup, get a 7 speed spacer on there and a 7 speed cassette drops straight on.
I like the 12-32 cassette - used one with a 38T chainring and it suited me fine.
Dunno why I went back to a triple really...

And stick with the quill stem if possible. They look far nicer IMHO.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Fab!

I used to have 52/42 with a 12-32 5speed feewheel and it was fine! Toured and Commuted with it and never had to get-off and push ... the steel sprockets weighed a ton mind!

 

[MacB]

Folks, I've been nosing around, I'm not planning on keeping this bike I just enjoy the fettling. So I'm reluctant to spend on expensive wheelsets as I'd lose on the deal in any sale. But I saw these:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190500626834&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I can pick up a 7 speed freewheel, rather than a cassette, very easily and cheaply. Do these wheels seem ok, ie not liable to fall apart?

 

[PpPete]

Folks, I've been nosing around, I'm not planning on keeping this bike I just enjoy the fettling. So I'm reluctant to spend on expensive wheelsets as I'd lose on the deal in any sale. But I saw these:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...e=STRK:MEWAXT

I can pick up a 7 speed freewheel, rather than a cassette, very easily and cheaply. Do these wheels seem ok, ie not liable to fall apart?

I've ordered a few cheapy items from Parkers of Bolton (not wheels though) - and always been happy with them.

The only thing I noticed is they don't say what the spokes are made out of....., but with 36 of them you'll prob not have to worry over-much. When you get them go aound the spokes and give them a "ping" (like plucking a guitar string). Front and Reat DS should all be within a semitone or so. NDS will be lower, but should still all be more or less equal with each other. If the notes are all over the place indicating uneven tensions (or if they are not true of course)- send 'em back.

 

[MacB]

I've ordered a few cheapy items from Parkers of Bolton (not wheels though) - and always been happy with them.

The only thing I noticed is they don't say what the spokes are made out of....., but with 36 of them you'll prob not have to worry over-much. When you get them go aound the spokes and give them a "ping" (like plucking a guitar string). Front and Reat DS should all be within a semitone or so. NDS will be lower, but should still all be more or less equal with each other. If the notes are all over the place indicating uneven tensions (or if they are not true of course)- send 'em back.

Thanks Pete, thinking on it, for another £20 I can get a 7/8/9 speed cassette compatible wheelset, though the cassettes seem to cost a bit more than the freewheels. Do you think it's worth going cassette for upgrade potential or just stick with the freewheel?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Thanks Pete, thinking on it, for another £20 I can get a 7/8/9 speed cassette compatible wheelset, though the cassettes seem to cost a bit more than the freewheels. Do you think it's worth going cassette for upgrade potential or just stick with the freewheel?

With the cassette you were looking at costing only £11, imho its price shouldn't affect your choice of wheels.

 

[PpPete]

Thanks Pete, thinking on it, for another £20 I can get a 7/8/9 speed cassette compatible wheelset, though the cassettes seem to cost a bit more than the freewheels. Do you think it's worth going cassette for upgrade potential or just stick with the freewheel?

If you are keeping the bike, you are bound to want to upgrade it, change it's intended purpose / gearing or whatever, so cassette would be obvious way to go.

But in a previous post you implied you would not keep it, and just sell on having sorted it out. In which case stick with freewheel as a potential purchaser then has an easy route to go fixed should they want to do that (apart of course from it being lower overall cost and more "authentic")

 

[MacB]

If you are keeping the bike, you are bound to want to upgrade it, change it's intended purpose / gearing or whatever, so cassette would be obvious way to go.

But in a previous post you implied you would not keep it, and just sell on having sorted it out. In which case stick with freewheel as a potential purchaser then has an easy route to go fixed should they want to do that (apart of course from it being lower overall cost and more "authentic")

Now that makes sense, freewheel it is...ta