Is My 1980s 6 Speed Uniglide An Ultegra?

[woodbine]

My 30 year old 18 speed MTB has a 6 speed Uniglide on the back. Some of these sprockets are worn. I have sourced some new old stock ones, but the image I have seen of the box for this cassette has 'Ultegra' printed on it.

Is my old Uniglide also an Ultegra, or is this something else? Thanks for any advice.

Uniglide 6 Spd

• woodbine
• 19 Feb 2016

Uniglide 6 Spd

• woodbine
• 19 Feb 2016

Uniglide 6 Spd

• woodbine
• 19 Feb 2016

 

[Smokin Joe]

Uniglide refers to how the sprockets were cut, any Shimano 6 speed will be fine.

 

[woodbine]

Thanks Joe for your quick reply. I've added some images since you posted. Can you say if my cassette is Ultegra, or what it is? If it's not and I fit Ultegra to my hub, what difference will I notice?

Also, is it relevant that the description of the new hub says '13T 32T' and my smallest/outer sprocket has 14 teeth? Haven't counted the others.

Also, where does 600EX (Arabesque??) come into the picture?

 

[midlife]

Not sure......uniglide cogs don't work with hyperglide chains unless you file them. Your freehub looks like the early Uniglide with no locking ring. The uniglide splines will also be the same size. Hyperglide cogs have a different size spline so they fit onto only one place to help with shifting.

Uniglide was a but of a dead end.



Shaun

 

[fossyant]

That is Uniglide. A hyperglide cassette won't fit a uniglide body without getting out the dremmel on the one wider spline on each sprocket.

I think that's what midlife meant above.

You can also buy SRAM cassettes, but you will need to file that wider spline on each sprocket. You do have to keep the bottom locking sprocket though.

Uniglide will fit a hyperglide body.

 

[midlife]

Yours is on the left and has no internal threads for a lockring and different splines so the cogs are not interchangeable (ignore the middle one) Sheldon Brown does a better guide than me LOL

The Uniglide freehub came out 1978 (ish) and the 600 series used both the freehub and freewheel at that time. The word Ultegra came later.

Shaun

 

[woodbine]

Thanks to all for your advice, really appreciated. So, in a nutshell, I am after the smallest/outer 14 teeth threaded sprocket only (would consider whole cassette if price sensible). What are my options?

I have seen Ultegra, 600EX, Dura Ace outer sprockets on the USA Ebay, and not sure which, if any, of these is suitable. Or should I be looking elsewhere.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cassette-14...513963?hash=item3d0f870ceb:g:bn0AAOSwAYtWMa2S

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-600...950853?hash=item2361b29cc5:g:oiYAAOSwrklVEssj

 

[Hugh Manatee]

It doesn't look too worn. The two links are to single sprockets only? What makes you think it is worn out? Check the other stuff first such as inner and outer cables. Check that none of the cable end ferrules have failed.

 

[fossyant]

You do know you can flip the Uniglide sprockets to get extra use from them !

 

[midlife]

Forgot you could flip them round to extend their life, good call

Shaun

 

[woodbine]

It doesn't look too worn. The two links are to single sprockets only? What makes you think it is worn out? Check the other stuff first such as inner and outer cables. Check that none of the cable end ferrules have failed.

Many thanks for your reply. The symptoms I'm getting is that when using the outer/smallest sprocket on the rear, when I push down hard on the pedals, occasionally the pedals clunk/slip forward as if the chain has slipped over the sprocket. It doesn't slip very far, maybe just one tooth - at least that's what it feels like. I can feel the pedals give slightly and there is an audible clunk.

This is an old bike that has been laid up for 20 years. The cables, outers and ferules are all brand new, as is the KMC chain and NOS Uniglide hub.

Could the new chain need bedding in?

 

[woodbine]

You do know you can flip the Uniglide sprockets to get extra use from them !

Yes, I had heard this. It would only be the smallest locking sprocket that would need turning. I can't remember, but would there be a raised shoulder on this sprocket that acts as a spacer between it and the next sprocket? Or is it flat and I would just be able to turn it around?

Good tip - thanks.

 

[fossyant]

What size inner locking sprocket do you want/need. If I remember I'll have a look in the garage as I have a few. I'd be surprised if the lowest sprocket is worn - check the limit screw has the jockey wheels dead centre over the bottom sprocket.

 

[fossyant]

Forgot you could flip them round to extend their life, good call

Shaun

Bloody good design, ruined by hyperglide. My DA stuff still changes sweet as a nut.

 

[woodbine]

What size inner locking sprocket do you want/need. If I remember I'll have a look in the garage as I have a few. I'd be surprised if the lowest sprocket is worn - check the limit screw has the jockey wheels dead centre over the bottom sprocket.

Thanks, I would really appreciate that. As for size, not sure what dimensions you would want. It's 14 teeth. Will have a look at derailleur alignment this weekend and may post a couple of close ups of the sprocket teeth.

The bike was thrashed a bit in my youth, as a way to do the daily commute for a couple of years.. Back then, I assumed that chains lasted for ever, and the only maintenance they needed was a liberal dosing of 3 in One. When I overhauled or replaced many of the bike's components after a 20 year lay up, I was horrified to see just how stretched the old chain was. Wouldn't be surprised if this abuse had caused some wear.