Shimano 7spd Hypeglide cassette (query).

[TheCyclingRooster]

Hi to you all out there.
Before I resort to stripping my Shimano Hyperglide 7spd hub and ending-up with the bearings spread about the floor - can anyone tell me if it is a Free-hub and if-so,can I replace the Free-hub with a Campagnolo 8spd hub ?
I do appreciate that if it is and I can that that I will probably need to add a small spacer or an additional lock-nut and re-dish the wheel.

 

[T4tomo]

7 speed is probably a screw on freewheel rather than a free hub. If you have 7 speed shifters then don't put an 8 speed cassette/ freewheel on it unless you also plan to change the shifters. Also there are limited circumstances where you can mix campag and Shimano.

That apart it's a brilliant plan! First step is to remove what you have a work out whether it's a cassette or a screw on freewheel.

 

[Tim Hall]

Hi to you all out there.
Before I resort to stripping my Shimano Hyperglide 7spd hub and ending-up with the bearings spread about the floor - can anyone tell me if it is a Free-hub and if-so,can I replace the Free-hub with a Campagnolo 8spd hub ?
I do appreciate that if it is and I can that that I will probably need to add a small spacer or an additional lock-nut and re-dish the wheel.

Sheldon says 7 speed Hyperglide is a freehub.
I don't think you can swap it for a Campag freehub, as I believe the bit that interfaces with the hub itself is different. On the other hand, some manufacturers (Mavic for example) do both Shimano and Campag compatible freehubs. It'll depend on the manufacturer of your hub and whether you can still get 8 speed bits.

 

[TheCyclingRooster]

7 speed is probably a screw on freewheel rather than a free hub. If you have 7 speed shifters then don't put an 8 speed cassette/ freewheel on it unless you also plan to change the shifters. Also there are limited circumstances where you can mix campag and Shimano.

That apart it's a brilliant plan! First step is to remove what you have a work out whether it's a cassette or a screw on freewheel.

Hi T4t. If I am reading your reply correctly and around what looks like a typo - I do indeed have a Shimano Exage 7spd Hyperglide hub that originally carried a 7spd Shimano cassette.

The hub now has a selection of individual sprockets as 12:13:15:17:19:21:23:25. That has allowed me to retain my 125mm spacing but with 8 & not 7 sprockets.
My end-game is to run a 3x8spd Campagnolo drive-train with Mirage levers and a Mirage rear dérailleur.
I am trying to avoid having to have the frame cold-set and buy/have a Campagnolo rear wheel/pair of wheels.

 

[TheCyclingRooster]

Hi Tim. Yes,I have read the "Sheldon Papers" but I have not as yet investigated the hub. I have been lead to believe that the Hyperglide Free-hub is indeed interchangeable with a Campagnolo equivelant but I am now wondering whether the 8spd Campagnolo Free-hub body is longer than the Shimano one by enough that the 125mm axle spacing will not permit fitment into the drop-outs.

 

[fossyant]

The sprockets won't fit from Campag You can't go 8 speed.

 

[TheCyclingRooster]

The sprockets won't fit from Campag You can't go 8 speed.

Hi fossyant. I think that you have got the wrong end of the "cycle chain" here !!!!!
I am well aware that Campagnolo individual sprockets or a cassette will not fit onto a Shimano hub,indeed that is not what my post is about.
As for 8spd,I already have 8spd on a 7spd Shimano Hyperglide hub. This has been achieved with an 8 individual Hyperglide sprocket selection on the 7spd hub.
My quest/query was with regard to changing a 7spd Shimano Free-hub(if it is a Free-hub) to an 8spd Campagnolo one.

 

[fossyant]

The free hubs are of different design unless you have an aftermarket wheel like Mavic and you may be able to swap. They don't use the same sizes etc. Shimano hubs wont take the campag freehub. You'll also have a mare replacing the 7 speed free hub for any other shimano unless it's an exact match.

The designs change as do the seals.

 

[TheCyclingRooster]

The free hubs are of different design unless you have an aftermarket wheel like Mavic and you may be able to swap. They don't use the same sizes etc. Shimano hubs wont take the campag freehub. You'll also have a mare replacing the 7 speed free hub for any other shimano unless it's an exact match.

The designs change as do the seals.

Hi again fossyant. The pair of hubs were originally in a pair Mavic MA2 rims. Those rims/wheels were stripped and rebuilt onto Miche 7spd screw-on hubs ( now sold on E'bay).

I have just been down to my local cycle dealer/shop and it has been confirmed that the Shimano 7spd Hyperglide hub is indeed a Free-hub and should/will exchange for an 8spd Campagnolo Free-hub.
Now the search for an 8spd Campagnolo hub or buggered wheel with a good hub.

 

[T4tomo]

Ok that should work as long as you get the whole hub, as the spline pattern is differnet, but you will still need 8 speed shifters to match.

 

[fossyant]

Good luck given age of components.. It's tricky enough with 130mm compatible bikes never mind 126. You would be better off with a cold set and going 130mm

 

[fossyant]

Good luck given age of components.. It's tricky enough with 130mm compatible bikes never mind 126. You would be better off with a cold set and going 130mm

 

[TheDoctor]

I'm struggling to imagine what problem would require such a PITA of a solution.
Moreover, if you need help to work out if you've got a freewheel or a free hub, then good luck rebuilding a wheel. 'Adding a small spacer' will be the very least of your problems! Genuinely, if you've got 8 cogs on there at Campag spacing then I'd quit while you're ahead.