Putting a new cassette with larges cogs on a holdworth elan

jamescycling

Hi, I picked up a holdsworth elan. it is great but I am finding the gears tough going up hills and just need a larger cog. It is a 6 sp cassette.

I have attached a link that explains a bit more about the bike -
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff ... 81bike.jpg

Can I replace the cassette with a shimano six speed which like this one - http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 151c003218

The gears are friction, not indexed, would prefer not to have to get new chainset etc

If not, does anyone have any ideas how I can alter the bike to make my life a bit easier going uphill?

thanks, James

roger_merriman

mmm that casette might well be more than the derailer can cope with.

Mr Whippet

Hi James,
Sorry to say you have a bit of a problem. The 6sp cassette was short lived, it had equal width splines on the freehub (part of the wheel). The subsequent 7sp cassette had one wide spline to align the teeth for better gear changing, so is not compatable. The 6sp block you mention is a combined freewheel and cogs designed for a threaded hub and therefore not compatable. You could try the usual sources for 30 year old spares, but they are not common, or change the rear weel to a threaded hub (check rear dropout width -120 or 126mm) and then you will have a large range of 5,6 and7sp blocks to choose from.
Hope this helps ,if you get stuck ,I may have something in my old touring stuff.
Regards Chris

andrew_s

The link says it's a Regina 6-speed freewheel. See here for the difference between a freewheel and a cassette.

That would make the 6-speed Megarange freewheel that you listed OK, and it will be the lowest gear you can find.
You will almost certainly need to get a new MTB rear mech - something like this Acera mech. (ignore that it says 7-8 speed - that doesn't matter).

Edit:
Freewheels are notoriously difficult to unscrew. You need the right removing tool, and ideally also access to a solid bench vice (fit the remover, held in place with a loose nut, clamp it in the vice, and turn the wheel like a bus steering wheel). It's probably easier to get the bike shop to swap the freewheel for you.

Mr Whippet

Hi James,
Just checked your links and yes you do have a freewheel so ignore my history lesson!



































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MichaelW

When removing a freewheel I omit a retaining nut for the freewheel tool. I installed it once and cranked the freewheel right into the nut, just like a locknut. It took ages to remove. I just let gravity keep the wheel on the tool and have never had a problem turining it steering wheel style. You need a retaining nut when you use a wrench.

ugo.santalucia

Occasionally I see freewheels on e-bay, maybe that's the place to look?

Sirius631

Hi James,

I have a Holdsworth Professional which I updated to work with modern gearing. I am currently running Record 10speed.

My first step was to get the rear triangle reset to take the wider rear hubs, and my GP4 on Record hub rebuilt to take an 8 speed freewheel. This freewheel was a Regina, and it sync'd perfectly with the 8sp Record Ergopower levers.

Do you still have the 50/40 chainset? I would bet that you need to junk the freewheel, chain and chain wheels by now anyway, as they will most certainly be worn out and causing you greater effort through friction. Sorry to advise you of greater expense.

If you are set on keeping to a 6-speed freewheel, you might be lucky to find a new one at the url below. You'll need your LBS to remove the old one for you.

http://www.campyoldy.co.uk/

Sirius631

You could change the chainset for a compact one, giving you 50/36, that would solve your hill problem. But for any new old bike I'd say junk the chain and block anyway.