Bicycle Mechanics - last sti upgrade question

I'm upgrading my older bike to sora shifters. Right now it is a 7 speed (126mm d/o). I am happy with the 7 speed. I have the old style cassette. I have been told the old style cassette will work ok, but might not be as smooth of a shift as a new bike because the spacing is different on my cassette. Can I put a new cassette on the wheel I have now? Will that make it shift smoother? thanks

Are you staying with 7-speed? If so, any Shimano 7-speed cassette will continue to work as well as your current one.

If you are upgrading to 8-speed (or 9 or 10-speed), your 7-speed shifters won't index as well with 8 and not at all with 9 or 10. Also, your current freehub won't accept an 8/9/10-speed cassette and you will have to spread your frame dropouts to 130 mm to accept the wider hub needed with these cassettes.

I'm going to stay with the 7 speed because I don't want to spread the d/outs. I was just wondering if I should get a new cassette and cogs or just use the old one I have on there. I was told the new cassettes have different spacing.

A seven speed Shimano cassette/freewheel is a seven speed Shimano cassette/freewheel, whether it was made in 1987 or 2007 (unless it's Dura Ace:D )
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ok thanks.

A seven speed Shimano cassette/freewheel is a seven speed Shimano cassette/freewheel, whether it was made in 1987 or 2007 (unless it's Dura Ace:D )
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Nope. A 7-speed Shimano cassette/freewheel is a 7-speed Shimano cassette/freewheel, whether it was made in 1987 or 2007, irrespective of the group level. Only shifters and derailers are DA specific.

Seriously, you can get 7-speed Sora shifters. That's the upgrade path I plan to eventually follow on my '87 road bike. Alternatively, 8-speed shifters will index just dandy on a 7-speed cassette/freewheel. You'd have to be really picky to notice any problems. But the best solution is to go with 7-speed Sora shifters, which are cheaper anyway.

Nope. A 7-speed Shimano cassette/freewheel is a 7-speed Shimano cassette/freewheel, whether it was made in 1987 or 2007, irrespective of the group level. Only shifters and derailers are DA specific.

In the interest of brevity, I stand by my statement.:D
AND I have a bunch of Biopace rings. PM me for specific wants/needs.
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"I'm going to stay with the 7 speed because I don't want to spread the d/outs."

4mm is only .16" You can "spring" the dropouts that much without problem when changing tires etc. It makes it a LITTLE bit of a pain, but nothing major.

Spread the d's...

the LBS said if I go to 8 speed I have to get a new cassette and wheel. I don't mind springing for the cassette but i don't want to go for the wheel. That will just bring up the cost too much for it to be worth it to me.

how old is the rear wheel. Shimano's first style of cassette didnt have the lockring of todays as the first position screwed onto the cassette body and was the lockring. If thats what you have there probably isn't any threads for the current style lockring meaning not being able to go to 8 spd with that wheel.

thats correct mtnbkr

You're fine. A Shimano 7 speed hub has seven speed spacing, no matter if it's a freewheel, Uniglide or Hyperglide, RX100 or Dura-Ace. Check Sheldon Brown http://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html if you're still concerned.

Your biggest issue will be lack of Uniglide cogs/cassettes as yours wear out, but that will be later. Keep your eyes open and pick up an inexpensive Hyperglide hub or wheel in the meantime. Go for it and enjoy.

Some Shimano 7 speed cassette hubs are threaded on the outside for Uniglide cogs and on the inside for Hyperglide lockrings (HG-50 /Exage comes to mind). A quick check might be in order.
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Some Shimano 7 speed cassette hubs are threaded on the outside for Uniglide cogs and on the inside for Hyperglide lockrings (HG-50 /Exage comes to mind). A quick check might be in order.
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+1

ok thanks to everyone for their input.-- I just got the back back from the LBS today. Went with 7 speed sora's--kept the rear cassette the same. Seems to shift pretty good. LBS charged me $140 for shifters and new cables-- $45.00 to install shifters new stem (labor) , and 18.00 for new hb tape. got a cheap stem ($20.00) put on because original stem was only 70 mm. --11.95 to adjust barrells?? total cost was $253 with tax. I thought it was well worth it. thanks again for everyones input

Ouch. None of my bikes cost that much.