Cassette questions...

My mate was looking to replace the 6 speed cassette on his old peugeot eith something more suitable for hills. He went to the LBS and they informed him he had some obsolete maillard hub, so he was looking into getting some new wheels.

I showed him these. But i was wondering what kind of compatibility issues might arise. He has non-indexed shifters so i was wondering what speed cassette he could run? would he get away with an 8 speed or 7 with some kind of spacer?

Can anyone offer any wisdom? Links to suitable cassette solutions are well received.

I'm using a 9 speed cassette on non-indexed downtube shifters no problem I might possibly have some problems in the future with accelerated chain wear, though. Maybe watchout for the OLD on the rear hub, as older ones may be slightly narrower(?)

It's really a case of 'ok if it fits'. If there's enough room on the hub and the thread fits, it should be fine. My first proper road bike (back in '78) had the traditional 13-18 block and over the years I changed it to 6 & then 7 speed. The original chain was swapped though.

The '6 speed cassette' is probably a screw on freewheel. You can still get them with anything up to 36 tooth sprockets, which should be enough for most hills.

In theory, you could run a 8, 9, 10 or even 11 speed cassette with a friction shifter as long as the cassette and chain match. After all, the derailleur doesn't know how many speeds it's working with. The main problem, as far as I can see, is having enough manual dexterity to move the shifter lever just the right amount to accurately change gear.

Easiest to just go with 7 if (s)he was previously using a 6-speed.

Cassette/freehub is almost always preferable to using a screw on freewheel.

I'm willing to be there is nothing particularly obsolete about his/her Maillard hub.

I'm using a 9 speed cassette on non-indexed downtube shifters no problem I might possibly have some problems in the future with accelerated chain wear, though. Maybe watchout for the OLD on the rear hub, as older ones may be slightly narrower(?)

Thanks, I'd thought OLD may be a problem, but the frame is steel so we may be able to squeeze it in.

It's really a case of 'ok if it fits'. If there's enough room on the hub and the thread fits, it should be fine. My first proper road bike (back in '78) had the traditional 13-18 block and over the years I changed it to 6 & then 7 speed. The original chain was swapped though.

Thanks

The main problem, as far as I can see, is having enough manual dexterity to move the shifter lever just the right amount to accurately change gear.

That itll be his problem, i offered him an 8speed indexed shifter.

Easiest to just go with 7 if (s)he was previously using a 6-speed.

Cassette/freehub is almost always preferable to using a screw on freewheel.

I'm willing to be there is nothing particularly obsolete about his/her Maillard hub.

its a helicomatic thing. are they still about?

Says something about Maillard compatibility if that helps:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hardly-used-6-speed-block-freewheel-12-13-14-15-16-17-/290739964956?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item43b173cc1c

In their time, 5 and 6 speed freewheels were compatible with any hub, any chain and any derailleur - ah, those were the days ;-)