Finding A 6 Speed Wheel

[rplcmint]

I'm looking for a rear wheel for my 18 speed bike. How do I know my 6 speed cartridge will fit on this hub - will the sleeve fit correctly?

Most of the items I see online say "8/9 speed" but will a 6 speed fit on a hub designed for a 5 or 7 speed? I suppose their is a range for these gears. The 18 speed is not an uncommon bike; but older for sure!

Can someone educate me about finding a wheel online? What am I looking for?

 

[boudreaux]

Originally posted by rplcmint
I'm looking for a rear wheel for my 18 speed bike. How do I know my 6 speed cartridge will fit on this hub - will the sleeve fit correctly?

Most of the items I see online say "8/9 speed" but will a 6 speed fit on a hub designed for a 5 or 7 speed? I suppose their is a range for these gears. The 18 speed is not an uncommon bike; but older for sure!

Can someone educate me about finding a wheel online? What am I looking for?

Think you need to go to a LBS and let them sort it out. You need to know the difference between freewheel and cassette(different types here too) hubs, and dropout spacing is also an issue.

 

[daveornee]

Originally posted by rplcmint
I'm looking for a rear wheel for my 18 speed bike. How do I know my 6 speed cartridge will fit on this hub - will the sleeve fit correctly?

Most of the items I see online say "8/9 speed" but will a 6 speed fit on a hub designed for a 5 or 7 speed? I suppose their is a range for these gears. The 18 speed is not an uncommon bike; but older for sure!

Can someone educate me about finding a wheel online? What am I looking for?

I agree with boudreaux about a trip to the Local Bicycle Shop.
You can get some education by looking at Sheldon Brown's site:
http://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html
& and a visit to Yellow Jesersey.org .... a great shop in Madison, WI that carries solutions for almost every older quality bicycle.

You might find what you want for 6 speed, but it is becoming very difficult.
You will need to know the type hub (Cassette or frewwwheel), it's Over Locknut Dimension (OLD) and then you can determine if there is a replacement.