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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey all.

I have a few questions about Suntour Compatibility that I am hoping someone can answer. I have searched but still haven't found clear answers. I am specifically discussing 7 speed Suntour.

1) Freewheels- Can a 7 speed suntour and shimano freewheel be swapped? Is the spacing between the two same for SIS?

2) Did suntour make 7 speed cassettes? If so, can the be swapped with Shimano Cassettes? What about converting to 8 speed?

3) Can shimano 7 speed shifters and deraillers be used with a Suntour 7 speed freewheel or cassette?

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Answers

From personal experience:

1)Yes, the spacing isn't exactly the same and it is best to match shifter with rear cogs but it will work either way.

2)Yes and no they can't be swapped. The spline design on the freehub is different.

3)Yes. See number 1 for elaboration.

I'm sure someone else will chime in with exact measurements but I've had no issues mixing systems.
 
#6 ·
Ditto on Sachs. I've use Suntour and shimano 7 speed thunb shirters with 7 speed Suntour freehub, Sachs freehub, Shimano hyperglide cassette, in all posible combinations. The last Suntours gear clusters were, I believe, called Powerflo, shifted pretty well. I like the Suntour ratchet shifters much better than the Shimanos.
How many of us had the cheap plastic cap break off a perfectly good set of XT thumbies, one ride in dirt without the cover, and the shifter is junk. You will be good with mixing 7 speed stuff..
 
#8 ·
broomhandle said:
shimano did make a 7 freewheel, im using one. no LX or anything. but its shimano SIS, made in tawain.
Click to expand...
ah, is it a newly made unit? I dont think they made one during the actual 7 speed era...what was that 89 to 93? Or maybe they did make one then, but it was low end? Im not up to speed on the modern freewheels.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Fillet-brazed said:
I dont think Shimano ever made a 7 speed freewheel, but a Sachs is a nice alternative.

What parts do you have specifically and what do you want to do?
Click to expand...
Don't tell because the rest of the guys on the forum will want to lynch me. The Ibis Cousin It Tandem I just acquired apparently has Suntour XC stuff on it. I know a lot of guys like thumbies, but I want them gone for two reasons:

1) I never cared much for how they worked and prefer trigger shifters :eek: (am and old enough to have started out riding on road bikes that had 3 and 5 gear freewheels with friction shifters), and
2) want to put a drag brake on, which works best with a friction thumbshifter.
 
#10 ·
CDMC said:
Don't tell because the rest of the guys on the forum will want to lynch me. The Ibis Cousin It Tandem I just acquired apparently has Suntour XC stuff on it. I know a lot of guys like thumbies, but I want them gone for two reasons:

1) I never cared much for how they worked and prefer trigger shifters :eek: (am and old enough to have started out riding on road bikes that had 3 and 5 gear freewheels with friction shifters), and
2) want to put a drag brake on, which works best with a friction thumbshifter.
Click to expand...
Hey, I too think the trigger shifters are better. For pure ergonomics anyway.

Believe it or not, I just came across some XC Pro 7 speed X-Press shifters (very rare, these were Suntour's first answer to Rapid Fire). If youre interested just PM or email me (email through mtbr is preferred).

My first geared bike had a 5 speed freewheel I think or maybe it was 6. Anwway, youve got me beat for sure with a 3 speed freewheel. :)
 
#11 ·
CDMC said:
Don't tell because the rest of the guys on the forum will want to lynch me. The Ibis Cousin It Tandem I just acquired apparently has Suntour XC stuff on it. I know a lot of guys like thumbies, but I want them gone for two reasons:

1) I never cared much for how they worked and prefer trigger shifters :eek: (am and old enough to have started out riding on road bikes that had 3 and 5 gear freewheels with friction shifters), and
2) want to put a drag brake on, which works best with a friction thumbshifter.
Click to expand...
mixing suntour and shimano drivetrains? it has been done. w/ triggershifters though..
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Fillet-brazed said:
Hey, I too think the trigger shifters are better. For pure ergonomics anyway.

Believe it or not, I just came across some XC Pro 7 speed X-Press shifters (very rare, these were Suntour's first answer to Rapid Fire). If youre interested just PM or email me (email through mtbr is preferred).

My first geared bike had a 5 speed freewheel I think or maybe it was 6. Anwway, youve got me beat for sure with a 3 speed freewheel. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks. If I convert anything, I will go to the shimano shifters and derailler just for compatability and ease of parts replacement. I need to see exactly what the bike has, as it was bought sight unseen. If it will take 8 speed, I will go that route.
 
#14 ·
Fillet-brazed said:
ah, is it a newly made unit? I dont think they made one during the actual 7 speed era...what was that 89 to 93? Or maybe they did make one then, but it was low end? Im not up to speed on the modern freewheels.
Click to expand...
Not initially. Shimano 7 speed was initially freehub-only to drive makers over to the freehub design from freewheels (dunno why people were hesitant, freehubs are mechanically superior, particularly on an MTB where axle loading is an issue). The 7 speed freewheels debuted during the 8 speed era.
 
#15 ·
<img src="https://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/250/YF-Z37-NCL-TOP.jpg"

10 bucks at nashbar NEW, probably old stock:

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm...01109&brand=&sku=18989&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop by Subcat: Freewheels

im using it on a bike, its alright... mine was free. haha

nashbar also has 7 speed freewheels and cassettes:

https://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm...d=&brand=&searchbox=&start=1&orderby=price1&pagename=Shop by Subcat: Freewheels

and they are shimano compatible. probably made by sunrace or modern suntor something.
 
#16 ·
broomhandle said:
<img src="https://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/250/YF-Z37-NCL-TOP.jpg"

10 bucks at nashbar NEW, probably old stock:

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm...01109&brand=&sku=18989&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop by Subcat: Freewheels

im using it on a bike, its alright... mine was free. haha

nashbar also has 7 speed freewheels and cassettes:

https://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm...d=&brand=&searchbox=&start=1&orderby=price1&pagename=Shop by Subcat: Freewheels

and they are shimano compatible. probably made by sunrace or modern suntor something.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think those quirky megarange freewheels are from the mid-late 90s. I think they might still make em.
 
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