What speed is my spare rear wheel ?

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello all,
I have a spare rear wheel (Cassette type) sat in my workshop but have no idea whether it's a 6,7 or 8 speed type , is there any way of telling by measuring free hub ?

Many Thanks all

 

[HLaB]

I could easily be wrong but I thought most hubs take a range of speeds and you just add spacers; it was certainly the case with my old Mavic Hub which had 8 & 10sp cassettes on it.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

If the distance between locknuts is 126mm then it is 7 speed. If more than 126mm (usually 130mm or 135mm) and if it is Shimano rather than Campag compatible then it will take 8, 9 or 10 speed cassettes. If it is Campag their 8 speed hubs are different to and incompatible with those of 9 and above.

You could also measure the width of your freehub body, you should be able to see a table of the respective widths in the Freehubs and Cassettes link under the Cycle Information link on the left hand side of the page here. There is also a table that shows how you can cheat (e.g. by running 8/9 cogs of a 9/10 speed cassette on a 7 speed Shimano hub, provided you use 9/10 speed shifters if they are indexed shifters of course).

 

[Andy_R]

I hate to tell you this, but as it's your spare and is not actually doing anything, then it's speed is........0.............




I'll get me coat.....

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

Thanks everyone for your help, much appreciated at least now I can get a cheap eBay cassette so the spare wheel can be used. I once put a 7 speed cassette on a 6 speed wheel and although it fitted the lowest gear was unusable as the chain rubbed the frame.
Again many thanks