Conference noted::bicycle

2509.0. "Converting a 6/7 spd hub to 8 spd" by NOVA::FISHER (DEC Rdb/Dinosaur) Tue Mar 16 1993 07:38

    I recently converted two of my frames to 8 spd, had the dropouts spread
    to 130 mm and then re-parallelized and the deraileur hangers realigned.
    One could just pop an 8 speed wheel into a 7 spd rear end but I
    wouldn't do that :-) though it does work.  This also gave me a chance
    to have my frame alignments checked.
    
    So what's the point of writing this, Graham asks?  Well, having done
    that, my Scots ancesters chided me (once in a while they do get after
    me) for not being able to use my 6/7 speed wheels.  SO I measured the
    hubs, 6 spd vs 8 spd, and lo, the difference between a 6 speed hub and
    and 8 spd is only the axle and a couple of spacers, and I know that
    Colorado Cyclist sells an 8 speed freewheel that uses a threaded hub
    so the mechanical work needed to make a hub conversion is no more than
    would be needed to overhaul the bearings, all for the price of about
    $12.  Then I could use my fancy shmancy 280 gram time trial rims
    with the 200 gm tubs and butted spokes in an 8 speed setup!
    
    I have been told that the surgery required is: a 4 mm wider axle,
    a 3mm spacer for the freewheel side, a 1 mm spacer for the left side,
    and I must redish the wheel to move the rim over 1 mm.  And, of course,
    it must be a Campy axle for Campy hubs and a Shimano axle for Shimano
    hubs.
    
    NOW I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND a 8 spd thread-on freewheel setup for everyone
    I think the axles get too much stress, but I'll do this and report
    back.
    
    ed