Adding gears to Raleigh Richmond

boriscrispin

Hi there guys,
Hope this isn't too forehead slappingly dull but I'm a non bike expert, with a willing and slightly experienced father.
I recently got a Raleigh Richmond, it has a 6-speed Suntour gear system on it, which works great but I am soon to move up to the top of a very severe hill, and frankly I'd like a couple more gears to make it a bit easier, and in doing so make the bike a bit more versatile.
My father suggested I get a cog for the rear wheel, thus I'm assuming giving me essentially double the gear options, which seems like a good idea. He said he'd be able to fix it on for me etc, it is just a case of knowing what I need to buy.
Can anyone guide me as to what would be useful to buy (simply a cog?) - if needed I can take some photos etc.
Any help would be great!

Thanks

Alex

desweller

At that age it'll be a freewheel. How many teeth does the largest sprocket have on it?

As far as I know you can't change individual sprockets on freewheels - you'll have to change the whole block to change the gearing. E.g. :http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BN-SHIMANO-6-SPEED-MTB-BACK-WHEEL-CASSETTE-FREEWHEEL-/130393288721?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item1e5c0bb011

Chances are you'll need a new chain as the old one will be 'matched' to the old freewheel due to wear and will skip when you fit the new block.

You'll also need the correct tool to unscrew the freewheel. E.g. http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/38/tlfw30/shimano-tlfw30-multiple-freewheel-remover.html. It unscrews anti-clockwise, but it'll be really, really tight after all this time.

Alternatively, you might be able to change the small chainring for a smaller one to reduce the gearing - the chainring will be easier to source (if a little more expensive) and possibly easier to remove if it's not riveted on.

boriscrispin

I'll have to come back to you with some information later, but thanks for your recommendation.
All this is new to me, but in thinking that I might have to change the whole cassette to add gears, could I 'simply' increase the gears, to 8 or 10 etc? I take it it's not as obvious as that

keef66

If you've currently got 6 gears then you can't really add more. Smaller chainring or larger cassette are the only sensible options

desweller

I'd have to disagree with Keef66 a little here.

If you have friction shifters then you might be able to screw on a 7-speed or 8-speed freewheel (like this one) instead, without making any other changes beyond limit screw adjustment on your rear mech. There might be some issues about wheel spacing but I'm a bit murky on that side of things - AFAIK the Raleigh Richmond is a steel frame though so you can probably cold set the rear dropout spacing to accomodate it.

You might get more info from the Special Interests section - there are plenty of guys in there well versed in modding older steeds!

EDIT: As always, Sheldon Brown (RIP) has a fine article on the topic.

boriscrispin

Interesting, well trouble here is I struggle with the terminology so I have to say I don't know if I have friction shifters etc.
Perhaps if can get some half decent photos on here - i can decide (it can be decided for me) as to which option to go for

keef66

Do the shifters click each time you change gear, or do you just push / pull them till it changes? The latter would be friction shifters. (a possibility I admit I had overlooked)

boriscrispin

Ahh ok, no it doesn't click

ballspondroad

You can usually take the individual sprockets off of a freewheel but you need a special tool for the last (biggest) one and if they've been on for a long time it may be difficult to get remove them without damage. I seem to rember that if you're changing the gearing you have to be cafeful not to exceed the capacity of the derailleur, and that this is a function of the number of teeth on the chainwheels and the freewheel sprockets.

Weejie54

Those old six speed Suntour freewheels were usually easy to remove cogs - freewheel vice and chainwhip needed. However, a moot point as you would have difficulty obtaining the individual cogs. There are a few screw on freewheels still available.You will need either a two prong or four prong freewheel remover to get the old one off.
It is quite likely that you can fit a 7 speed as a replacement, though you might need to add a spacer or two. Make sure the rim is central to the locknuts at each end.

boriscrispin

I've taken pictures if it is any help. Can a 'certain' recommendation be made for me from these as to which route might be easiest to accomplish?

boriscrispin

stunned silence!

So i'll attempt to add a 7, preferably an 8
Is 8 too much of a stretch?

Weejie54

I would consider a double chainset. You'll probably get a 7 speed block on that wheel with the help of a couple of spacers. The dropouts should spring to the extra width without cold setting. The double chainset (an alloy set) will make a huge difference - though you'll need a front mech and shifter too.

elcani

Changing to double chainrings will involve a lot of cost (chainset, front derailluer, new shifters) which is probably not worth it on such an old bike (cool though it is!).

Get a new freewheel. You may not even need more gears, just a new 6 speed block with more teeth on the largest sprocket. Count the teeth on the smallest and largest sprockets on the bike now, and then compare with this:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Sun_ ... -22241.htm

Or if you want seven speeds:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Sun_ ... -22242.htm

Or even eight..

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Sun_ ... -22244.htm

From the look of your rear derailleur, it should be able to handle any of those. As someone has already said, you may well find you need a new chain if the old one slips on the new cassette.

Cheers.

ride_whenever

singlespeed it and MTFU

Weejie54

As far as I can gather, the Richmond has a 531 frame. Worth upgrading IMO.You can pick up chainsets on Ebay quite reasonably - any alloy set will be better than the riveted set that you have on the bike. Front mech and shifter can also be obtained on eBay - in fact, I could supply you with a double stem shifter and basic front mech for the cost of postage if you want to take that route. I reckon your BB axle length should be OK for a double.

boriscrispin

Ok thanks for the help here - I think I'm going to go for a 7-speed cassette.

Knowing this, should i buy a couple of spacers in readiness, and also how do I determine what chain to buy with regards to which cassette I choose?

lae

Count the teeth on your old cassette before you buy the new one mind. You don't want to end up with a new cassette with the same low gear as before! Bigger rear sprocket = easier. You could also keep your eyes peeled for a cheap bike of similar vintage to steal parts off, namely a double chainring and shifters! Buying a whole bike at a car boot sale, or finding one in a skip, is often cheaper than buying the parts separately.

It's always useful to have a bunch of spacers and washers around, and they're cheap, so I'd get them just in case.

As for the chain, any 3/32" (this is the width) chain should do it. KMC make decent chains (£5-£10). Any bike shop will be able to sort you out with a KMC or something similar.