Need advice on granny gear update...

jellylegs · #1 11-03-2009, 08:14 PM

Hi all,

My first post on this forum so pls be gentle! Trying to see if I can make this a mini project. So far researching on the web I was unable to see anyone doing this (possibly because too costly vs cost of bike itself!) Is it possible to somehow rigg a granny gear to a 1982 Schwinn Le Tour 10-speed? Would it be better to change the stock granny to a lower teeth count? Or any other advice you may be able to give...
p.s.I did see a flea-bay ad recently where a 30T Salsa was added to a Super Le Tour but since the auction has ended I am unable to ask the seller...

Cheers.

Greenephantom · #2 11-03-2009, 08:24 PM

Just change out the freewheel for one with a larger big sprocket. You probably have a 5, maybe a 6 speed freewheel on there now. It's easiest to replace it with the same. Modern ones won't likely do you much good, but they did make wide-range freewheels in the 70s and 80s. You might well have to replace the rear derailleur with a long cage model and add a few links to the chain.
Cheers, Geoff

dale88chevyss · #3 11-04-2009, 06:11 AM

Forgive me, but what's a granny gear? Never heard of it. Thanks

Eric Amlie · #4 11-04-2009, 07:31 AM

It's a very low ratio gear used for getting up steep hills or at the end of the day when you're all worn out.

The usual reference is to the small chainring used on a triple crank, but it can also be a large cog on the freewheel cluster/cassette in the back as on the Shimano MegaRange.

jellylegs · #5 11-04-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenephantom

Just change out the freewheel for one with a larger big sprocket. You probably have a 5, maybe a 6 speed freewheel on there now. It's easiest to replace it with the same. Modern ones won't likely do you much good, but they did make wide-range freewheels in the 70s and 80s. You might well have to replace the rear derailleur with a long cage model and add a few links to the chain.
Cheers, Geoff

Thanks Geoff. Seems like an easier approach which I didn't think of. So you think the Shimano megawheel that Eric mentions in his post would work? I think the 34T sprocket on that would just be enough...

videoranger · #6 11-04-2009, 10:31 AM

Welcome to the forums Jellylegs. I've seem 14-30 and 14-34 five and six speed freewheels on the bay, but don't know if they can be found at shops. You will need a long cage rear derailleur and new chain also. The older Suntour V GT or V Luxe
(http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/...st_style).html )
, Shimano, and others would be compatable with your friction shift levers. Sram 6-8 speed chains or Conex Wipperman 6-8 speed chains should work well with older 5-6 speed rear freewheels. You will also need the proper freewheel removal tools (or have bike shop loosen the one on your rear wheel now). I can appreciate your desire to setup your ride with a nice hill climber gear, as this will make riding much more enjoyable. It is generally better to keep up a quick pedal spin and gear down to climb than to push hard (and wear out your knees and leg muscles). Re-fitting your classic ride is well worth the extra ridability. Any changes are also easy to change back if desired latter. If your '82 Schwinn has the one piece front cranks, smaller front chainrings are not a good option unless you change cranks and bottom bracket crank spindle. Do your home work and check the bay for what you need (or put in a wanted add in forum classifieds).

Greenephantom · #7 11-04-2009, 12:08 PM

Eric is right on, the MegaRange would work fine. Maybe they do make them in a 6, I always associate them with a 7, but I don't look at new parts very often any more.
Cheers, Geoff

jellylegs · #8 11-04-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videoranger

Welcome to the forums Jellylegs. I've seem 14-30 and 14-34 five and six speed freewheels on the bay, but don't know if they can be found at shops. You will need a long cage rear derailleur and new chain also. The older Suntour V GT or V Luxe
(http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/...st_style).html )
, Shimano, and others would be compatable with your friction shift levers. Sram 6-8 speed chains or Conex Wipperman 6-8 speed chains should work well with older 5-6 speed rear freewheels. You will also need the proper freewheel removal tools (or have bike shop loosen the one on your rear wheel now). I can appreciate your desire to setup your ride with a nice hill climber gear, as this will make riding much more enjoyable. It is generally better to keep up a quick pedal spin and gear down to climb than to push hard (and wear out your knees and leg muscles). Re-fitting your classic ride is well worth the extra ridability. Any changes are also easy to change back if desired latter. If your '82 Schwinn has the one piece front cranks, smaller front chainrings are not a good option unless you change cranks and bottom bracket crank spindle. Do your home work and check the bay for what you need (or put in a wanted add in forum classifieds).

Geoff, Eric, Videoranger, appeciate your generous advices. This has now given me something to move forward with. Have checked out some sources on the web and seems I can get hold of a 6-speed megarange which has the massive 34T (big jump from the 5th sprocket 24T!). Will need to see about long cage deraillerus, maybe stick to Shimano but have your example of the suntours to go with and a nice sram chain is easy enough to get hold of. Should be able to get it done under $50 all in all. A trip down to my LBS to order some parts me thinks... thanks again all. Will come back for sure if I run into any problems or have any more questions.

dale88chevyss · #9 11-04-2009, 07:56 PM

I figured as much as to what it was but I'd never heard of it. We've always called 1st gear on dad's Farmall H "granny gear" cuz it moves at about the speed of an old lady in that gear. HAHA

Eric Amlie · #10 11-05-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jellylegs

big jump from the 5th sprocket 24T

I'm using one of those on an '88 LeTour.
I think it's a 7 speed but I don't remember for sure(bike is in storage right now and I have so many bikes it's hard to remember all the details of each one).

I really like it.
It gives a fairly tight gear progression but you also have that nice 34t bail out gear for when you really need it. IIRC it's also a Hyperglide design so the shifting is very good with it.

jellylegs · #11 11-05-2009, 06:15 PM

So I figured I could use a Shimano 105 derailleur from the 90's which I grabbed off of another example old Schwinn but how about the Shimano Tourney (RD-TX31 model), would that work do you think?

videoranger · #12 11-06-2009, 05:50 AM

http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Home.html
Here's a link to a great source of info on classic derailleurs. Note that the descriptions include gear tooth range and max size. This is helpful info when going to a freewheel with a large hill climber gear.

bartcycle · #13 11-06-2009, 08:11 AM

I put a 6 speed Shimano megarange freewheel on a Super Sport with a Shimano Deore derailleur. I kept the one piece crank on the bike.

videoranger · #14 11-06-2009, 10:32 AM

My Schwinn alloy seven has a nice Shimano SIS rear derailleur and twist grip index shift with the 14-34 7 speed mega range and the one piece forged crank with a 46 T sprocket. This works great (shifts as smooth as my nexus seven cruiser); it even down shifts while climbing steep hills with just a click. I really like the "feel" of the one piece crank with the luxury of great gearing for all sorts of terrain. How do your like your setup on the SS?