Freewheel Indexing

[blown240]

Do 5,6 and 7 speed freewheels all have the same indexing? Im trying to piece together a bike for a buddy and I have a 7 speed shifter with a 6 speed freewheel. The axle isn't long enough for me to swap to a 7 speed freewheel, even though that would be better.

 

[The Black Monark]

Generally, the cable travel of indexed shifters is specific to manufacturer.
This link might be of help:

http://sheldonbrown.com/drivetrain-mixing.shtml

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

5 and 6 are usually the same spacing, but 7 I believe is narrower spacing.

 

[user 135]

Just use a friction shifter....then everything is compatible. :wink:

 

[c.p.odom]

5 and 6 speed is pre-indexing.

 

[Bendix]

Shimano and Suntour had 6s indexing. The 6s stuff was interchangeable between those brands back then. Adding a Shimano chain and freewheel really helped the Suntour 'Alpha' series parts work better. :wink:

 

[c.p.odom]

Yep, Shimano did start SIS with 6 speed. Early on I remember Wayne and Dale Stetina shaving down the hub spacers and riding 7 and 8 speed cassettes years before production models came out.