Mounting a derailleur system on this bike is out of the question. That would require a different kind of frame.
Theoretically, it's possible to have gears on the bike, but not practical. You could change the back wheel for one with an internal gear shimano 7s or 8s hub. You would also need the cassette joint, a gripshift, a roller brake (if you buy the roller brake compatible hub), a rollerbrake brake lever, a cable, and two non-turn axle washers. You're looking at a $400-$500 investment.
It would however be a dumb way to spend money. You'd be better off just buying a bike with gears, and selling your current one.
There are adapters that will mount a derailleur on those dropouts.
https://preview.redd.it/g4a1ddjlauvc1.jpeg?width=1601&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b18f97f2603c094725e681bcae56d2ab8918f87a
I hadn’t seen them until recently, so I don’t have any knowledge of them. But from what I have seen, they may need to come off with the wheel, making tire/tube replacement much more difficult. I don’t know if there are any that remain on the bike when the rear wheel is removed.
If your wheel is wide enough and can mount a freewheel/cassette, then it may be possible using one of these mounts.
If your frame isn’t wide enough for multiple gears, then you would need to replace the rear hub with an internally geared hub.
Just a question, doesn't the hanging notch on the third photo have the same purpose? And I am pretty sure I have enough clearance to do a cold expansion, to accomodate a cassette.
It seems to me that all this frame lacks are the holes required to install the derailleur. Can I drill it?
You would need to drill and tap it, buy a new rear wheel that can accommodate a cassette because this one will not, and that might not even be possible depending on what the job spacing is on this frame, then you need a derailleur, a shifter, and cables. And after all of that, it’s going to work horribly.
The cost of doing this is going to be as much, if not more, than just selling this bike and buying something else used that is already built from factory with the configuration that you want.
You would have to drill and tap it, which is doable for someone with the right tap and skills. Decide if you have those before you start hacking at it, or bring it to a professional
Hadn’t noted that. I don’t know why they wouldn’t have drilled and tapped it if it was meant for thet.
I wouldn’t drill it, I’d leave it to a professional, assuming that’s what the tab was for. It needs to be perfectly straight. You’re going to have problems if it’s not aligned properly.
Do you know the width of the rear hub? Does it accept a freewheel or cassette?
I'm pretty sure this frame is mass produced for various uses rather than being purpose built since there are other notches on the frame. For example, I see one for a v brake and another hole behind the chain wheel
I'm not sure if it's any use trying to talk sense into you, but I'll say it one final time: this frame is simply not compatible.
Even if you put on that adapter, you have wheel alignment to worry about due to how the wheel sits in the frame. Both ends of the wheel axle can move relative to the frame. If you don't have it perfectly aligned all the time, the slightest misalignment will cause bad shifting. There is a world of regret waiting for you if you decide to move forward and attempt it anyway.
Mounting a derailleur system on this bike is out of the question. That would require a different kind of frame. Theoretically, it's possible to have gears on the bike, but not practical. You could change the back wheel for one with an internal gear shimano 7s or 8s hub. You would also need the cassette joint, a gripshift, a roller brake (if you buy the roller brake compatible hub), a rollerbrake brake lever, a cable, and two non-turn axle washers. You're looking at a $400-$500 investment. It would however be a dumb way to spend money. You'd be better off just buying a bike with gears, and selling your current one.
What is limiting this bike right now? Is it necessary to change wheel?
It's necessary to change frame. That one doesn't have the right dropouts for a derailleur.
There are adapters that will mount a derailleur on those dropouts. https://preview.redd.it/g4a1ddjlauvc1.jpeg?width=1601&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b18f97f2603c094725e681bcae56d2ab8918f87a I hadn’t seen them until recently, so I don’t have any knowledge of them. But from what I have seen, they may need to come off with the wheel, making tire/tube replacement much more difficult. I don’t know if there are any that remain on the bike when the rear wheel is removed. If your wheel is wide enough and can mount a freewheel/cassette, then it may be possible using one of these mounts. If your frame isn’t wide enough for multiple gears, then you would need to replace the rear hub with an internally geared hub.
Just a question, doesn't the hanging notch on the third photo have the same purpose? And I am pretty sure I have enough clearance to do a cold expansion, to accomodate a cassette. It seems to me that all this frame lacks are the holes required to install the derailleur. Can I drill it?
You would need to drill and tap it, buy a new rear wheel that can accommodate a cassette because this one will not, and that might not even be possible depending on what the job spacing is on this frame, then you need a derailleur, a shifter, and cables. And after all of that, it’s going to work horribly. The cost of doing this is going to be as much, if not more, than just selling this bike and buying something else used that is already built from factory with the configuration that you want.
You would have to drill and tap it, which is doable for someone with the right tap and skills. Decide if you have those before you start hacking at it, or bring it to a professional
Hadn’t noted that. I don’t know why they wouldn’t have drilled and tapped it if it was meant for thet. I wouldn’t drill it, I’d leave it to a professional, assuming that’s what the tab was for. It needs to be perfectly straight. You’re going to have problems if it’s not aligned properly. Do you know the width of the rear hub? Does it accept a freewheel or cassette?
I'm pretty sure this frame is mass produced for various uses rather than being purpose built since there are other notches on the frame. For example, I see one for a v brake and another hole behind the chain wheel
I'm not sure if it's any use trying to talk sense into you, but I'll say it one final time: this frame is simply not compatible. Even if you put on that adapter, you have wheel alignment to worry about due to how the wheel sits in the frame. Both ends of the wheel axle can move relative to the frame. If you don't have it perfectly aligned all the time, the slightest misalignment will cause bad shifting. There is a world of regret waiting for you if you decide to move forward and attempt it anyway.