I also bought IRD freewheels from RIV. I've always assumed that IRDs are Shimano compatible and thus, the center to center distance between cogs are the same as shimano's. The distance between cogs of 7- and 8-speed freewheels are the same. But it is not with 6-speeds or lower.
If your shifter is 8-speed, you can also use it with a 7-speed freewheel. Just make sure that the limiting screws on the derailleur are used to align the low and high limits of the derailleur with the freewheel. When installing the shifter, make sure that the cable has no slack at the first highest gear [smallest]. This way, the shifter will stop at the 7th index. You can also use a 9-speed shifter with a 7- or 8-speed cassette or freewheel. Just use the alternate cable routing on the derailleur as shown by Sheldon Brown on this link: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html I hope this helps. -----Original Message----- From: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Thomas Lynn Skean Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 9:32 AM To: RBW Owners Bunch Subject: [RBW] IRD freewheels Hi, all! Does anyone have direct experience with any of the specific IRD freehweels sold by RBW used with Shimano 8-speed indexing? I've been told (and believe) that the spacing between the cogs of the 7-speed freewheels (and maybe the 6-speed freewheels as well, but I don't remember the exact question/response text) is the same as the spacing expected by Shimano 8-speed shifters. However, I'm not confident that I've thought through any potential gotchas of trying to use the freewheels with my current shifting set- up. I don't mind the notion that one or two "clicks" of my indexing shifters will basically be dead. I'm assuming that I can set up the derailer to avoid the chain actually going too far inboard or outboard, as needed. But I don't know anyone who's actually done it. I'm not trying to start (or, more accurately, continue) any debate on the relative merits of indexed versus non-indexed shifting. My question is about indexed shifting. In case it matters... the shifters I'd be using are either Shimano EF-60 Rapid-Fire trigger shifters or the Shimano 8-speed bar-ends sold by RBW (mounted on Paul Thumbies). The rear derailer would be either a Shimano Acera or a Shimano Rapid-Rise Deore (LX?). The hub would definitely be a RBW-sold 135mm 36H Phil 7-speed freewheel hub (out of the constellation of concerns to consider, axle-strength is not one I'm worried about). Thanks! --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
