Conference noted::bicycle

    Marty--
    
    It's perfectly OK to spread a frame to accept 126mm axle spacing.
    If the 7-speed appeals to you, you may as well go for it now, instead
    of going halfway.  Do recommend that you have the spreading done
    by a reliable professional, since it's pretty easy to throw off
    the balance of your frame when doing this.
    
    Justin

    RE: .0
    
    Don't forget to get a new chain as well. If you have a 5-speed the 
    chances are you have a thick chain on there and it won't work on all
    cogs on the freewheel. Besides if you have more than 1500 miles on it 
    you should change it anyways. 
    
    Paul

    RE: .2
    
    Is it really necessary to get a new chain every 1500 miles?  I try
    to keep mine clean and I replace it every year (approx. 4500mi last
    yr), but every 1500 miles seems a little too frequent???
    
    Phil

    re: .1
           How will they spread the frame? Do they heat the frame, or
    will spreading the dropouts damage the paint?
    
    Doug
    

    Chains stretch and when elongated do not seat themselves in the cogs
    of the sprokets very well. In fact in extereme cases only the link at
    the top of the sprocket is engaged. this causes excessive wear on the
    teeth of the sprocket. 
    
    The rate at which the chain stretches depends a lot on the way you
    ride. If you spin fast and never pull a lot of torque the chain will
    last longer than if you are always trying to push big gears. Good
    chains like the Sedissport and Dura-ace will be for a couple thousand
    miles or more, Some of the cheaper chains less, bargain basement chains
    last about 500. Your mileage may vary. If you are going to put on a new
    freewheel you might as well spend the extra $10-$15 for a new chain and
    not start wearing on the freewheel from day one.
    
    Paul

    I'm still not sure what is involved with spreading the frame. Do
    I need to take this to a bike shop and have them "spread" the frame.
    Do I just push the dropouts apart when I put the hub in?
    
    Thanks for the recommendations. I think I will go with the 7 speed
    and change over to SIS. The bike is a really old Vita-Sprint (531
    butted tubes, touring angles) and a new rear end will probably help
    me put  off buying a new bike until I can afford to get a really
    nice one.
    
    	Marty Sasaki

    What shouldd happen is that the frame should be cold-set to the new
    width.  If this is done on a frame alignment table, they will clamp
    down the frame and spread each of the dropouts 3 mm.  Then they will
    bend back the dropouts so that they are still parallel to each other.
    
    Paul Randazzo in Tyngsboro can do that, I think Haggett's in Concord,
    NH, can.  Of course Peter Mooney at Belmont Wheelworks.  All for a fee.
    
    ed

    If you don't feel like spending money, you can put the wheel in
    with some force.  It is not necessary to go through the expense
    of having it cold set.  (I am not sure what the expense is, and
    if I had it done, it would be done by an expert such as Peter Mooney)
    
    steve

A problem I've seen once or twice with crunch-fitting a six-hub into a 
five-hub space (or even just changing brands of freewheels...) is that 
on some frames the clearance is so low that inserting a new freewheel 
(that perhaps sits a mm farther out on the hub) can cause the chain to 
jam between the smallest freewheel cog and the frame. If this happens 
(it's fairly rare, but...) you may have to do some dinging around with 
things like the hub axle spacers, etc. to be able to use the last cog.....

                                              ken

    Yes, you will have to increase the spacing on the freewheel side
    if you're going to go 7-spd SIS.  You also may need a longer axle.
    These are fairly easy to find if you have a Campy Record hub--not
    so easy with other brands.
    
    While you can force a wider spaced rear hub between 120mm spaced
    dropouts, remember that you have to force it whenever you are taking
    the wheel out and reinserting it.  I still think it's better to
    get the frame spread, so wheel removal will be as simple as it 
    currently is.  The spreading will not damage the paint.
    
    As for chain replacement, with the Sedisport selling for between
    $5 and $8, depending on where you get it, you'll find that regular
    replacement (like every 1,500 miles) minimizes wear on freewheel,
    chainrings, and derailleur pulleys.  Chain replacement is kind of
    like an oil change.  If you don't do it, the machine still works,
    but not as well.
    
    Justin
    

    There is a real difference in whether you cold-set the rear triangle.
    
    If it is not set and you force it open to put in the rear wheel, the
    stays will be in a constant state of stress as if a large weight of
    arounf 50 lbs was continually bouncing on them.  This should lead to
    cracks.
    
    If it is set, they will be forced to a new positiononce but they will
    stay in that position.
    
    I'm no expert but I think it makes sense.
    
    Of course it also makes sense to just ride an old ten speed and be
    happy with it but I suppose it's just not cool to only have a 5 speed
    cluster.  Think of all the weight you would save.
    
    ed

>    Of course it also makes sense to just ride an old ten speed and be
>    happy with it but I suppose it's just not cool to only have a 5 speed
>    cluster.  Think of all the weight you would save.


Do they make 5 speed indexed shifting systems?????

JC

    No, if yoiu want indexed shifting you gotta go 6 or 7 spd.  Could
    probably make 5 work but that would be like shutting off half the
    valves on a ZR1.
    
    ed

    Sorry to disagree with one as knowledgeable as Ed, but I have seen with
    my own eyes this very week a 5-speed Shimano index system. I know it
    was 5-speed because I too didn't expect to see it, so I counted the
    cogs quite carefully. It was on child's bike, so I suppose it's low-end
    stuff - I don't what you'd have to ask the shop for.
    
    
    Rod

    re: .14:  You saw it in the UK?  I suspect that if it was on a child's
    bike it's not something they push for after-market upgrades.  I must
    add that to my list of "available odds and ends, if you can find it."
                                                             
    Did you notice any other markings on the equipment?
    
    ed

    re:15
    
    	Ed,
    
    	Next time your in Sunshine Sports look at the Pugeot Ranger
    with the 12 Inch frame.  It has an indexed Shimano *5* speed
    rear with no front shifting capability.  Probably something 
    a lot of adults would also go for since the complexity of a
    straight block 5 speed could even be handled by an old guy.
    
    	Seems that Bicycling or Cyclist recently did a Q and A on
    this for someone wanting to convert their 10/12 speed to a
    5 speed.  
    
    	Gee, and I thought you knew *everything* about cycling :-)
    
    						Jerry

    re:basenote...
    
    I put a 6speed wheel (specialized hub/rim that came on my Stumpjumper)
    on a 5 speed Schwinn Sierra. When you realize that 5mm means 
    1/8 inch on each size, you really are not spreading the frame
    very much. Structural integrity is NOT compromised. It is NOT a
    hassle to spread the rear triangle (in fact, it spreads rather easily).
    I don't think you would want to spread more that 1/8 on each side...
    going from 5sp to 7sp would add 1/2 inch between dropouts.
    When used with Shimano Deore shifters and derailler, you get TRUE
    6 speed indexed shifting. Note that this was done on a mountain
    bike, and road bikes may be more_fragile/more_precise. 
    
    In fact, when I think about it , I wonder if Shimano realizes
    this? If so, it would explain why they add a gear to the freewheel
    every couple of years...to get the previous million bikes at the
    lesser speed to upgrade (MBA predicts Shimano will release 8sp
    in 1990-1991).