Remembering the straight block

[Peter P.]

Closest I came to a straight block was a 13-21 5 speed Regina Oro.

That article was hilarious. Thanks for posting.

[ultraman6970]

OH I remember those ones actually raced with them.

Juniors in my country are divided in 4 categories... intermediate (15/16 y/o) had a max gear of 6,10 meters (or something) so the obvious choice was a 50x16 or equivalents. Regina had a 4 speed straight block 16/17/18/19 ... all the kids in that category used that, then you were going to juniors (17/18) max in the track was 50x15 or equivalent and in the road was pretty much whatever u wanted to use.

Oh those times able to do 35 - 40 km/h with 42x16... which was pretty much the gear many here for sure were using coming back or going to gather for training.

[parris]

When I raced MANY lbs and years ago my "standard" was 13x21 with 42/52. I used that for everything EXCEPT T.T. For that I still have a 13x18 in my parts boxes. I think I'm figuring out why my left knee hurts so much going up and down stairs now...

[BobC]

First year I raced I did Smith Mountain Lake RR in a straight block (being from VB it was the ONLY gearing I ever needed & had at the time). I distinctly remember zig-zagging up the final climb and other racers laughing at my gear choice.

I still finished.

[robt57]

I still use my straight block, and by that I mean an 11s Juniors cassette 14-28. [14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-23-25-28]

[choke]

Not a straight block but my 1966 Frejus had a 14-22 freewheel....paired with 52/49 rings.

[buddybikes]

My first 10 speed was in Dec 1969. Came with 14-22 and 48/51. Had plenty of one step gears but no top or down. would of been a fine bike for Juniors (do they still have a gear limit?)

[Gummee]

Started riding at VA Tech and the freewheel that came on my Cannonball was a 12-23. I thought I was the man when I rode a 24t big cog for the first time. MAN was that gear tiny!

I just took a straight block 6sp off my new-to-me Giordana TSX and put on a 13-24 7sp.

I'm waiting for some bars to arrive to finish the build.

Can't wait to see if I remember how to safely shift DT shifters. I DID ride em for more'n a few years, but that's been more'n a few years ago

M

[EB]

Sir, this is a Wendy’s.

[Steve in SLO]

A couple of mine from the ‘70s.
The silver Regina is 14-20, and was my crit freewheel.
The dirty Suntour is a 13-22, and I used it for road races. I used to ride up Gibralter and Old San Marcos climbs in Santa Barbara with that thing and a 42T up front. Lots of standing.
Both paperweights now.

[unterhausen]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

Closest I came to a straight block was a 13-21 5 speed Regina Oro.

That was standard in-season gears for me, even though I lived in the mountains. But you can watch racers from back then bogged down in gears that are too high. I used a 13-24 on my training wheels. My tandem had a 36 front 24 rear "granny gear." That was a bit silly

I remember when I put an 11-26 cassette on my bike, I was convinced it was an admission that I was dying.

[ntb1001]

My old 13-18 6 speed.

I also used to switch it out for a 13-21 for hills.




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[merckx]

I still have a nib Regina Oro 13-17 freewheel in my parts inventory. I purchased two of those freewheels back in 1976 from Palo Alto Cycles for the sum of $14.95 each. I was in high school at the time and had just built my first pair of tubs. Record hubs laced to Fiamme Red Label rims. I had to take a few steps back after I screwed that corncob onto that wheelset. The brawny masculinity of those closely spaced teeth had me captivated. The reality of turning the pedals had me on my knees. There was no way I was going to allow reason to extinguish my Walter Mitty desire to wheel my silver Motobecane with a blinding gold 13-17 tooth weapon attached to the town's Fourth of July Criterium. There was also the junior gear restriction to contend with. My solution was to purchase a TA Cyclotouriste crankset with 45-33 rings. Voila! I had constructed a compact crank in 1976, and enjoyed parading around on my gold straight block.

[charliedid]

Thinking more about it I probably had a 13-21 not a straight or "corn cob" as it were but the results were still ugly.

[Ralph]

I have a 10 speed Campagnolo Centaur 14-23 "Junior" straight block. 14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23. All loose cogs. I bought it cheap to use the cogs in other cassettes. I have put a couple miles on it.....fun to ride. it's currently packed away.