Bicycle Mechanics - New Wheelset for an Old 7-Speed Bike

I have a 1994 Cannondale Killer V900 mountain bike that has a 7-speed casette in the back. It has Shimano LX rapidfire brifters, LX FDerailleur, XT RDerailleur, original cantilever brakes and Shimano LX Parallax hubs.

I am gonna need a new wheelset for this bike soon, and I am at a loss as to what to buy.

My question is this: Can I buy a wheelset that I saw on the Internet that has Shimano XT 760 hubs laced to Mavic XC 717 rims, that is labelled as compatible for 9/8 speed casette with skewers? The proposed wheelset also mentioned that it is compatible with V-brakes. Does this mean that the wheelset won't work with cantilever brakes?

Will my old brifters and my 7-Speed cogs work with my proposed wheelset? If not, what do I need to do to make it work or to buy new wheels?

The essence of my question is this, What do I need to watch out for in buying new wheels for an old 7-cog bike?

Please do not tell me to get rid of the bike. I have tremendous sentimental attachment to this bike.

Thanks for all responses.

Regards,

No takers?

Compatible with v-brakes just means that the rim sides are machined for rim brakes. Slide a 4.5mm spacer on before you install the 7-speed cassette. Install the wheels, check the adjustment of your derailer stops and ride. You can still buy 7 speed wheelsets on eBay and they're cheap because nobody wants them. I paid $25 +$15 shipping for the last set I bought and they're brand new. The front is Deore XT and the rear is some sort of Parallax. Here they are:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/550315581/2236509890068014369jHohCP


Skip the spacer if you buy a 7-speed wheelset.

+1

you can also use an old cassette cog as the spacer....

Measure the distance between your rear dropouts with a millimeter ruler. If it's 135mm, that's good. Simply buy the new wheel, install a 4.5mm spacer behind your 7-speed cassette and you'll be good to go.

If the distance between your rear dropouts happens to be something else, the new wheelset can still be made to work but it's likely to require some modifications.

Measure the distance between your rear dropouts with a millimeter ruler. If it's 135mm, that's good. Simply buy the new wheel, install a 4.5mm spacer behind your 7-speed cassette and you'll be good to go.

If the distance between your rear dropouts happens to be something else, the new wheelset can still be made to work but it's likely to require some modifications.
+1

Then if you want to upgrade to 9 speed it's simply a matter of putting on a new cassette and the wheel part of the conversion is done.

Tim

LUCAS, is your frame steel or aluminum? If it's steel, it can be safely and permanently spread to accomodate 135 mm hub spacing. If it's aluminum, and your dropouts are 126 mm, then I'm afraid you're out of luck for using a 135 mm hub...

LUCAS, is your frame steel or aluminum? If it's steel, it can be safely and permanently spread to accomodate 135 mm hub spacing. If it's aluminum, and your dropouts are 126 mm, then I'm afraid you're out of luck for using a 135 mm hub...

Moxfyre, the frame is aluminum. The space between the dropouts is 135mm though. I guess I am in luck. I'll try and find the 4.5mm spacer, and then try and get the new 8/9-speed wheelset I mentioned in post #1 above.

Thanks to all that responded.

Regards,

Compatible with v-brakes just means that the rim sides are machined for rim brakes. Slide a 4.5mm spacer on before you install the 7-speed cassette. Install the wheels, check the adjustment of your derailer stops and ride. You can still buy 7 speed wheelsets on eBay and they're cheap because nobody wants them. I paid $25 +$15 shipping for the last set I bought and they're brand new. The front is Deore XT and the rear is some sort of Parallax. Here they are:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/550315581/2236509890068014369jHohCP


Skip the spacer if you buy a 7-speed wheelset.

Dirtdrop, thanks for your response. That is a nice set-up you have with your Trek. Nice wheels too. I have noted your advice, and started looking on eBay. I hope I can find something nice there. If I don't, I'll just have to buy the wheelset mentioned in my post #1 above from the web, then have my local LBS work out whatever kinks the wheelset have, then mount with a 4.5mm spacer.

I do envy your paying only $40 for your brand new XTwheelset though. I hope I can be as lucky as you were on eBay. What rims were the hubs laced to?

Jeez, $40. Very very nice.


Regards,

I'm at work, but I think the rims are Weinnmans. They seem to be strong. I weigh over 200 pounds and that's my beater bike.