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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1044.0. "FREEEWHEEL PREFERENCES" by AKOV11::FULLER () Thu Mar 16 1989 11:51

       Most of my freewheels have gone through some use with various
       levels of wear to the cogs and bearings.  Time is now to make an
       investment in a couple new freewheels. In the past I have used
       Suntour Winner Ultra 7's (not the winner pro).  For overall 
       durability, quietness and shifting ease any advise on the following:
    
        1. Suntour Winner Pro
    
        2. Shimano Dura-Ace
    
        3. Regina America
    
        I do not use index shifting.
        
        Thanks,
    
        Steve
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1044.1No differenceWEA::BUCHANANBatThu Mar 16 1989 15:2911
For non-indexed shifting I would guess that there is no significant difference.
I have used a Suntour Winner and a Shamino 600 in the past (they no longer make 
Shamino 600 freewheels, only the cassette type).  I currently have a Dura-Ace
on the road bike and Winner Pro on the mountain bike.  Dura-Ace is very
expensive (about $60 for 7 speed I think).  Both are quiet.  The Dura-Ace has
the twisted teeth which are supposed to shift quicker if you also use a
Uniglide chain.

No difference, which is cheaper?  Anyone disagree?


1044.2You may not even need a new oneCESARE::JOHNSONWanted to be an astronaut, but settled for space cadet.Thu Mar 16 1989 15:5212
    With a decent freewheel, you don't have to replace the whole thing
    when some of the teeth wear out.  Instead, you can disassemble it
    and substitute cogs.  Try that first with your existing brand before
    you sink money into a new one. 
    
    If you do need to swap the whole thing, or buy a new one, I'm 
    convinced that there IS a difference: durability.  I expect to hang
    on to my Dura-Ace freewheels for several years, changing cogs when
    necessary.  Others might not hold up long enough to make this an
    economical alternative.
    
    MATT
1044.3OLD AND WORN OUTAKOV11::FULLERThu Mar 16 1989 16:053
    Thanks for the responses.  The freewheels are old, at least 3 or
    4 years, and I have already replaced some of the middle cogs.  The
    body is getting old also, so it's time for new stock.
1044.4Suntour FanSVCRUS::CRANEThu Mar 16 1989 16:0710
    
       I use almost all suntour stuff on my racing/training bike.
    I still have the original freewheel that came with the bike, I have
    about 8-9 thousand on the freewheel in every kind of weather known
    to mankind and the only trouble that I have is a worn 17 cog because
    I do most of my riding in that cog. I love all of my suntour stuff
    and if it does ever wear out I will buy the same stuff again.
    
                   John C.
    
1044.5"at a store near you?"KUDZU::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredFri Mar 17 1989 11:3113
    "Quality" is not the only determinate of whether you can
    replace the cogs, unfortunately.  The Suntour Winner Pro is
    quite good, and it's what I use... and it has replaceable cogs,
    but no local bike shops seem willing to invest in a cog-board
    for it.  They seem to have countless extra Shimano indexed cogs,
    though (hence Matt's new cogs).
    
    So check availability in your area...
    
    Winter and seacoasts are real bad on cogs... sand wears 'em down,
    so a supply of replaceable cogs is a definite plus.
    
    -john
1044.6Giving Dura-Ace a tryAKOV11::FULLERFri Mar 17 1989 11:475
    After using Suntour winners for years, I am trying a Shimao Dura-Ace.
    It may quicken the shifting on my non-index system.  Colorado Cyclist
    has it for 42.50 in the size I was looking for.
    
    steve
1044.7someone to stand up for ItalyAQUA::OCONNORfifty thousand notes and a blaze of unrelated chordsFri Mar 17 1989 13:037
    IMHO I like Reginas they are well made and I get 4 or 5 years out
    of them.  The best thing I like about Reginas is that they are easy
    to get off even after you have really stood on them climbing hills
    I was never able to do that with the old suntour 2 prong bodies,
    that may have changed with the new 4 prong bodies.
    
    Joe
1044.8Dura-Ace splined removal toolNAC::KLASMANFri Mar 17 1989 15:0911
< Note 1044.7 by AQUA::OCONNOR "fifty thousand notes and a blaze of unrelated chords" >
                       -< someone to stand up for Italy >-

>    I was never able to do that with the old suntour 2 prong bodies,
>    that may have changed with the new 4 prong bodies.

Dura-Ace freewheels have a splined remover that cannot slip like the pronged 
ones can, and I've never had a problem removing them.  I'm quite happy with 
mine, on my Ultegra SIS setup.
    
Kevin