In Halfords the other day (for non-cycling purchase) and had a quick look around the bikes (as you do).
I was amazed to see the budget bikes with 2 x 6 and 2 x 7 gearing.
For a very long time there has been speculation that 7 speed rear clusters will be unavailable "soon".
I don't think many people have been looking to replace a 6 speed cluster.
I tentatively assume that a few ancient parts bins and/or production lines have been raided because more modern groupsets aren't currently available.
Noting that it isn't just the rear cluster, but the trigger shift changer on the bars as well.
Obsolete rear clusters? Perhaps not.....
Re: Obsolete rear clusters? Perhaps not.....
They are probably freewheel hubs rather than cassette hubs, they've continued to use them at the inexpensive end of the market.
Shimano Tourney TZ for instance, available in 6 and 7speeds.
Page 90 in this 2021 Shimano Trade catalogue.
https://na.s-tec.shimano.com/s3_assets/ ... _U_v04.pdf
They still list a Tourney 7 speed cassette CS-HG200-7, page 86 in the same catalogue.
Shimano Tourney TZ for instance, available in 6 and 7speeds.
Page 90 in this 2021 Shimano Trade catalogue.
https://na.s-tec.shimano.com/s3_assets/ ... _U_v04.pdf
They still list a Tourney 7 speed cassette CS-HG200-7, page 86 in the same catalogue.
Nu-Fogey
Re: Obsolete rear clusters? Perhaps not.....
Budget adult leisure bikes notwithstanding, they are still predominantly specified for children’s leisure and off-road bikes for which there is a huge global market
The older I get the more I’m inclined to act my shoe size, not my age.
- Chris Jeggo
- Posts: 580
- Joined: 3 Jul 2010, 9:44am
- Location: Surrey
Re: Obsolete rear clusters? Perhaps not.....
'Obsolescent' here, as detemined by the importers, but not by the manufacturers. In east asian countries where the bicycle is the vehicle of choice for going to the shops, of a type which hugely outnumbers enthusiast/hobby bikes, such gearing is common. A couple of years ago my son in Japan replaced his old 6-speed bike with a new 6-speed bike. It is similar in Taiwan, where another son lives.
Re: Obsolete rear clusters? Perhaps not.....
I see from having a look through the catalogue they even do a disc brake 7 speed freehub.
FH-TY505-7
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/stor ... 7-4552.pdf
FH-TY505-7
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/stor ... 7-4552.pdf
Nu-Fogey
- kylecycler
- Posts: 1386
- Joined: 12 Aug 2013, 4:09pm
- Location: Kyle, Ayrshire
Re: Obsolete rear clusters? Perhaps not.....
One person's obsolete is another person's practical.