7 speed compatibility ?

[Milzy]

So I'm getting my first retro bike & I'm wondering if I can get a 7 speed cassette on my Ambrosio rims with zenith hubs built by the great Harry Rowland. Do You need a shim plate or something?

Regards.

 

[Cycleops]

Don't think you need a shim. Do you have a freehub? Presumably you're not replacing like with like.

 

[Milzy]

Don't think you need a shim. Do you have a freehub? Presumably you're not replacing like with like.

My wheelset has a free hub, so I guess it will not matter, good times!

 

[Cycleops]

I have noticed that most 7 speeds available now are for MTBs so you might have to do some searching.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

So I'm getting my first retro bike & I'm wondering if I can get a 7 speed cassette on my Ambrosio rims with zenith hubs built by the great Harry Rowland. Do You need a shim plate or something?

Regards.

You need a 4.5mm spacer to mount a 7 speed cassette on a typical modern Shimano splined freehub.

With a retro bike, you might find the rear dropout distance (likely 126mm if 7 speed) doesn't match the width of a modern road bike rear hub (likely 130mm), fine to spring open the frame if it is steel and not too exotic.

 

[Milzy]

Like this http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheels-m...te-on-8-speed-hub-body-spacer-each-prod18561/

However I don't think I can run an 11t with such a spacer so would I be best starting from 13t upwards??

Found this with grooves in so might be ok for any cassette.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/hope-7sp-spacer/rp-prod1289

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Like this http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheels-m...te-on-8-speed-hub-body-spacer-each-prod18561/

However I don't think I can run an 11t with such a spacer so would I be best starting from 13t upwards??

Found this with grooves in so might be ok for any cassette.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/hope-7sp-spacer/rp-prod1289

The spacer goes to the back of the cassette, so it shouldn't affect allowable smallest sprocket size. For some systems (e.g. Campag) that limit is influenced by the lockring, but not modern Shimano/sram splined cassettes afaik. An old 7 speed wheel might have a freewheel rather than a cassette, freewheels usually (but not necessarily) have smallest sprockets larger than 11T.

 

[Milzy]

The spacer goes to the back of the cassette, so it shouldn't affect allowable smallest sprocket size. For some systems (e.g. Campag) that limit is influenced by the lockring, but not modern Shimano/sram splined cassettes afaik. An old 7 speed wheel might have a freewheel rather than a cassette, freewheels usually (but not necessarily) have smallest sprockets larger than 11T.

So nice & easy into the vintage world. I may just add a campag groupset at a later date.

 

[Big_Dave]

If your wheel has a free hub, why don't you go 8 speed, a much better choice of cassettes, my old 1988 raleigh went from 6 to 7 to 8 speed freewheel, to 8 speed cassette and now 10 speed, and from double to triple. The frame had a little tweek when it went from 6 to 7 speed, but from 7 to 10 speed no change. the 10 speed fits directly on the 8 speed freehub, and mine has 11t smallest, it doesn't look like there is enough clearance but there is plenty enough

 

[Milzy]

If your wheel has a free hub, why don't you go 8 speed, a much better choice of cassettes, my old 1988 raleigh went from 6 to 7 to 8 speed freewheel, to 8 speed cassette and now 10 speed, and from double to triple. The frame had a little tweek when it went from 6 to 7 speed, but from 7 to 10 speed no change. the 10 speed fits directly on the 8 speed freehub, and mine has 11t smallest, it doesn't look like there is enough clearance but there is plenty enough

As long as the dx100 shifters will let me I will.

 

[Big_Dave]

As long as the dx100 shifters will let me I will.

fair point lol

 

[cyclingclueless]

ooh- I too am looking to upgrade the gear amount; I've a 5 speed though on a steel frame with only 1 front chain ring. will look into the vids!! cheers