Noddy question about freehubs...

[Maz]

Excuse my ignorance...

How come freehubs have a speed associated with them, e.g. shimano 8-speed freehub, etc.?

Doesn't the speed depend on the cassette you use?

 

[Zoiders]

At the dawn of time there was the 6 speed freehub body, as time moved on the lord looked upon this invention and thought "needs more gears".

This left two choices, make the chain side plates thinner so you could more closely space the sprockets or make the freehub body wider, both have been done at some stage or other.

 

[PpPete]

Essentially two "widths" of freehub in Shimano-land the 7 speed and the 8/9/10 speed
although there are some freehubs that are only compatible with 10 speed - cos they are very very slightly narrower than 8/9 speed.

If you want to be really confused have a look at "8 of 9 on a 7" in Sheldon's site !

'Fraid I lack Mr Z's depth of experience, as I've never seen a 6 speed freehub (only a 6 speed freewheels)

 

[accountantpete]

Also some of the spline designs changed (the grooves that the cassette sits in). So in Campy land an 8spd had a different design to a 9/10spd freehub, as did some early Shimano.

 

[gbb]

But if this relates to your earlier post Maz, re- do new wheels come with freehubs...both sets of wheels ive brought did indeed come with freehub fitted, you just specify whether you want Shimano or Campag. I assume its standard practice that they come with freehub.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I assume its standard practice that they come with freehub.

All the wheels I've ever bought have come with a freehub, as gbb says, just specify Shimano or Campy at point of order

 

[Maz]

But if this relates to your earlier post Maz, re- do new wheels come with freehubs...both sets of wheels ive brought did indeed come with freehub fitted, you just specify whether you want Shimano or Campag. I assume its standard practice that they come with freehub.

Thanks, gbb, and, yes, it is related to my other thread about the new rear wheel.

 

[Zoiders]

Essentially two "widths" of freehub in Shimano-land the 7 speed and the 8/9/10 speed
although there are some freehubs that are only compatible with 10 speed - cos they are very very slightly narrower than 8/9 speed.

If you want to be really confused have a look at "8 of 9 on a 7" in Sheldon's site !

'Fraid I lack Mr Z's depth of experience, as I've never seen a 6 speed freehub (only a 6 speed freewheels)

You won't see a huge amount of them but the Uniglides are still to be found on occasion.