Is it possible to go from 7 to 10 on the rear wheel. The bike is a schwinn sidewinder sold at walmart. I think it is a freewheel. It's a pretty decent bike, it get's me around without costing too much.
if it is going to cost more than the bike is worth, than I will live with 7 on the back, but the rear gear needs to be replaced one way or the other. I would like to go to 10, but not if it will cost alot of money.
I am mechanically inclined and will do the work myself, but if the more experienced of you could point the way, that would be great.
TIA
First of all you would need a completely new wheel, cassette. chain and shifters. The rear triangle where the wheel is mounted would need to be spread also. So it will cost a lot of money
Secondly it's not worth doing so on that level bike.
Thirdly, it takes more than being mechanically inclined to do any conversion of this nature, as there are a multitude of factors involved, which one needs to research before even starting.
Finally, going to 10 in back will only accomplish one thing - it will put your gears closer together. It will not increase your speed at all.
You need to define for yourself, and then for anyone you ask for help, what you want to accomplish by changes on your bike or with a new bike.
Yep 10-4 to that and in addition you will need lots of specialized tools.
As has been asked whats the goal, and yes it will cost more than the bike is worth. Which may be OK , BUT whats your goal?
Why do you think the freewheel needs replacing?
Never Give Up!!!
In this case I'm going to offer rather pointed adice:
Don't even try to "upgrade" your bike. Do the least needed to get it in decent riding shape. If still not good enough for you sell it and buy a good used bike. You will be ahead in time and money and probably the end result as well, even if the better bike needs some attention.,
And; I would like to offer the specific suggestion of a 1989-1993 Trek 950, 970 or 990.
Nigel
Hi Cny-man,you said "the rear triangle where the wheel is mounted would have to be spread" why is that?and what would it involve out of interest,thanks.Daniel
And I agree with the above,definitely don't try and do it yourself,its not worth the hassle if your not experienced. I would just buy either a new or used bike that already has 10 speed if you really want that.As I've learnt,the amount of specialised tools bikes require is beyond comprehension, I've slowly brought a lot of them over a long period of time,and there's still lots of things I don't have. A truing stand being one of them,which I don't want to pay £200 for tbh.Goodluck.
Where an earth would I even start with building my own truing stand, I'm not a mechanical engineer lol. Although id definitely give it a go.Did you build your work stand as well?how about your house lol
How did you learn all of that?that's very interesting,so you do you carry out work on your property?thanks.
It's not difficult to build a truing stand. This will give you an idea. Mine is totally different but I have no pics of it on my laptop and I'm at work.
<a href="http://s228.photobucket.com/user/cradom/media/IMG_0696_zps4ebdf3b8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/cradom/IMG_0696_zps4ebdf3b8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0696_zps4ebdf3b8.jpg"/></a>
Craig Domingue - East Texas Hick
That is a dial indicator for checking runout on the rim.
Here is another one similar to the one I built. Not that hard.
<a href="http://s228.photobucket.com/user/cradom/media/PC230063_zpse4cb54f5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/cradom/PC230063_zpse4cb54f5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo PC230063_zpse4cb54f5.jpg"/></a>
Craig Domingue - East Texas Hick
I built this one, Goes in my pack, I can eat with it, and shoot flies If I need extra protein!
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"