What type of freewheel do I have

[robroy]

I've got two bikes that I bought off ebay - I'm not entirely sure what type of freewheel they have. I think they are both Hyperglide ones but the 1st says 'STARLIT FREEWHEEL' on it, while the 2nd says it's a Shimano. (see pics)

Can anyone let me know so I can buy a removal tool and two new freehweels to replace them?

Thanks in advance,

RR

[attachment=4254]
[attachment=4255]

[DaveM]

The shimano will take the standard shimano freewheel removal tool (Park FR-1). The other probably takes the same one, but it could be the Park FR-7 which looks similar. You should be able to tell by looking at the shape of the teeth on the inner area of the freewheel (where the axle goes thru.)

[robroy]

(06-17-2013, 07:57 AM)DaveM Wrote:  The shimano will take the standard shimano freewheel removal tool (Park FR-1). The other probably takes the same one, but it could be the Park FR-7 which looks similar. You should be able to tell by looking at the shape of the teeth on the inner area of the freewheel (where the axle goes thru.)

Thanks - can I replace the STARLIT one with a normal Shimano HG freewheel even if it is a different type?

---

ALSO....

Is it a UniGlide or HyperGlide freewheel?

Are the removal tools cross-compatible between those two types?

Can I replace these two with new Shimano hyperglide freewheels without affecting the gear system?

Thanks in advance - sorry for all the questions!

[DaveM]

You can mostly replace any freewheel with anything, with the following caveats:
- If you have index (click in place) shifting, you need to stay with the same number and same brand (or compatible brand) as your shifter. If you have friction shifting, doesn't matter.
- You have to avoid getting a much wider freewheel. Going from 5 to 7 speed for instance, might give you a a wide enough freewheel that hits the inside of the frame, etc. I think you can usually go 6 -> 7 without an issue.
- Occasionally run into issues with too wide a chain when going from 5 -> 6/7. I think 6 -> 7 is usually OK. Based on what the freewheels look like, you probably need new chains anyway. Get ones to suit the new freewheels.

I'm not 100% sure what uniglide was. But I think both uniglide and hyperglide refer to the tooth design. pretty sure they're completely cross compatible with hyperglide being the more modern and much longer produced version.

I think all shimano freewheels use the same tool. Several other brands use the shimano tool, but there are a good number of other brands that use their own unique tool.

[1FJEF]

The Starlit looks like a 6 speed, the other like a 7. You should be able to use a 7 speed for both, once you pull the old shimano freewheel off, test fit it in place of the Starlit.
One guy here prefers Sunrace freewheels, I've used the Shimano 14-28 tooth. Here is a 6 speed sunrace in case you need it.
Look at the common removal tools. It should be a FR-1. Click on the item to see a description of your freewheel removal splines.
Remove the axles, compare the inner splines in the freewheel, you may luck out & both may use the shimano removal tool.
They would use a modern standard chain, like a KMC 7 or 8 speed chain. The 8 speed has their extra stretch proof technology, but costs a few bucks more. Should be a normal chain, 1/2 x 3/32", but not uniglide.
Get new chains.