Wheels, Shimano, 10sp/8sp, compatability

[palinurus]

I've got some new wheels, 105 hubs. Before I bought them I checked with bloke in bike shop whether I could whack my 8 speed cassette on them. He said yes, I did, and everthing is fine. I ordered some more wheels, same hubs, and did the same thing again, worked that time too.

Right. So the wheel I took the 8-speed off (it's a Shimano WH-500 or 550, couple years old and was bought with 8-speed in mind) ought, based on the above experience, to be able to take a 10 speed cassette (I want to use it as a turbo-training wheel). Am I overlooking anything?

 

[andy_wrx]

A WH-R500 or 550 will take 8sp, 9sp or 10sp Shimano cassettes - it's a Shimano 8/9/10sp wheel.

A Shimano 10sp cassette is actually narrower than an 8sp or 9sp cassette, so you'll need to fit a spacer (basically a big washer, 1.5mm thick, which you put onto the hub first then put the cassette on after it - without it you can't get the lockring tight)

If you buy a new Shimano 10sp cassette it'll come with one of them, or you can buy them seperately if needed
(e.g. http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=14554)

 

[palinurus]

Thanks for that.

I've never quite understood when spacers are needed etc. I've got it now.

Ta.