It’s time to replace the freewheel on my 1991 Multitrack, and I’d like to use the opportunity to expand the gearing range. It’s currently a 7 speed 13-30. I live in the Santa Cruz mountains so would like some easier gearing, and I’m planning on doing some short touring trips this summer with this bike. I’ve seen recommendations of a shimano 11-34, but haven’t seen them on online retailers (unless I’m missing them). I don’t trust bike parts from Amazon, but any other recs would be greatly appreciated.
by ponyboysee
3 Comments
Make sure you don’t mix freewheel and cassette. First one will be limited to 14-34t range in 7sp by Shimano. There are some scet hy AliExpress freewheels that can get a wider range, but not in 7sp variants.
Cassettes can get you more range, but won’t be compatible with your hub (if you have a screw on freewheel)
It looks like you have the original Suntour drivetrain with Accushift seven speed shifters. Suntour spacing and indexed shifting is slightly different than Shimano.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html
Any modern seven speed freewheel will use Shimano spacing, so you will probably get some mis-shifts if you use Suntour index shifters.
Modern 7 speed freewheels are usually 14-28 or 14-34. You might find a fancy IRD in 13-32
Solutions:
Get a Shimano/Sunrace 7 speed freewheel and Shimano rear derailleur and Shimano comptible 7 speed shifter and a new chain.
Get a new rear wheel with an HG freehub and update to 8/9/10 speed drivetrain (new cassette, chain, derailleur, shifters)
Find a NOS Suntour freewheel
Get friction shifters and a new 7 speed freewheel and a new 7/8 speed chain
Let me know if you ever want to sell it. I’d buy it back from you or trade for something else (Diamondback Ascent EX, Trek MountainTrack, Trek Antelope, Trek 520 in 56cm or a Bianchi Brava in 54cm).