6 speed ok for commute?

bluedoggy
bluedoggy Posts: 285
edited October 2012 in Road general
Is a 6 speed ok for a commute? Some rolling roads here in Somerset and was woundering would it cope with mild ish hills? I have a 10speed but want a winter bike. I have seen a vintage 6 speed which looks great but am worried about the 6 speed?
Wilier cento uno.

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Depends on the size of the hills and your fitness? Plenty of people riding singlespeed / fixed - so probably a case of MTFU and getting on with it. 6-speed freewheels still available so you can fit lower gears if needed.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • bluedoggy
    bluedoggy Posts: 285
    So could I replace the 6 speed cassette with a 10 speed?
    Or could I simply replace the whole wheels which are rusty and put some modern wheels on?? Do you have to replace the chain set if I did this?
    Wilier cento uno.
  • pinarellokid
    pinarellokid Posts: 1,208
    chainset will be ok for 8 speed but not sure about 9,10
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    About a million years ago, I cycled everywhere for 6 years, only had 5 gears.

    So 6 is plenty ... but how does that work then? 3-speed Sturmey-Archer and a compact chainset? :wink:

    (You may laugh, but my dad had an 8-speed - it had a 4-speed Sturmey-Archer and a 2 speed cassette :) When he got it, apparently he had to attach blocks of wood to the pedals to be able to ride it, and it was still going a generation later when I had my first bike, which was 35 years ago!)
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    Of course it is.

    I grew up on an old Schwinn Varsity 'ten speed' (5 sprockets on the hub) and rode everywhere. We lived in the White Mountains in New Hampshire, USA, so there were plenty of steep hills.

    You'll be fine.
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    In response to your question about replacing the 6 speed with 10 speed, the answer is that it's unrealistic as you would need to have the frame modified as well as replacing the rear wheel and entire drivetrain (shifters, chain, cables, cassette) costing hundreds and it would still be an old bike with a few new parts. If you want 10 speed, buy a new / nearly new bike.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    You can get 6 speed blocks with 14-26 which is pretty much all you need for any type of riding. Ten speed gives you more intermediate options but the smallest and largest sprockets are pretty much the same, given the 12-13 sprockets often stay unused.
    Yes, now they do 29 T sprockets, but let's be serious, do you want to be seen riding a bike with a 29 sprocket? I'd rather walk...
    left the forum March 2023
  • simon_masterson
    simon_masterson Posts: 2,740
    Just because no-one's spelled it out, freewheel and freehub are not the same. They are not interchangeable. But fear not; as has been said they go low; you just don't get the smooth graduation of ratios. They tend not to go as high, either; I have never seen a modem production 5-6 speed freewheel with a cog lower than 14, whereas a 10 speed of course will go down to 11 or 12. (though many cyclists these days who opt for such gearing would eschew a standard double in favour of a compact)

    If the 6 speed freewheel followed the same pattern as a 10 speed (i.e. 11-16 or similar), it would indeed be a bit of a brute on the hills but I doubt that many such freewheels are in circulation (pun not intended), so it will of course be fine. Everyone should have some vintage steel. I ride nothing else currently.
    Retro(ish) TT 2017-
    Fixed TT 2015-2016
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    You can get 6 speed blocks with 14-26 which is pretty much all you need for any type of riding. Ten speed gives you more intermediate options but the smallest and largest sprockets are pretty much the same, given the 12-13 sprockets often stay unused.
    Yes, now they do 29 T sprockets, but let's be serious, do you want to be seen riding a bike with a 29 sprocket? I'd rather walk...

    Got the hang of those tricky London cols, eh? :wink:
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    DesWeller wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    You can get 6 speed blocks with 14-26 which is pretty much all you need for any type of riding. Ten speed gives you more intermediate options but the smallest and largest sprockets are pretty much the same, given the 12-13 sprockets often stay unused.
    Yes, now they do 29 T sprockets, but let's be serious, do you want to be seen riding a bike with a 29 sprocket? I'd rather walk...

    Got the hang of those tricky London cols, eh? :wink:

    Indeed, but I use the same bike when I travel down to Italy... being at the foot of the alps... 8) Today is a bit grey and cold, but tomorrow should be better and I will probably have a go at one of my favourites in the area

    http://www.zanibike.net/altimetria/3508 ... mbave.aspx

    42 x 26, of course... :D
    left the forum March 2023

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