Bicycle Mechanics - 9 speed cassette on a 7 speed derailleur?

Can it be done? The 7 speed derailleur is Shimano 600 and is on an older Kestrel 200 SC. Since it was down tube shifters, I can switch it from Index to friction shifting pretty easily - and I like friction shifting.

The spacing for the hubs are 130 mm, so it should physically fit, but will I be able to adjust the limit screws far enough?

Thank you,

Brian

The derailleur will work, the freehub won't. A 9-speed cassette is too wide for a 7-speed freehub. It may or may not be possible to replace the 7-speed freehub with a 9-speed freehub, depends on the hub. The hub manufacturer may be able to tell you if the freehub can be replaced based on the hub's serial number. If it cannot be replaced then the wheel can be rebuilt with a complete new hub assembly. Been there, done that.

Al

Derailleurs generally don't give a crap how many cogs are on the cassette. You'll have to adjust the limits and use friction, but should work (had my X0-3 running 9 on 7 for awhile).

Thank you Al.

It is interesting. I have another Shimano 600 hub at home that I put a 9 Speed cassette on yesterday. It may very well be newer though than the one on the bike.

I'm also trying to figure out how old this bike is so I can know what to expect in the BB. I want to switch it over to a compact crank from the regular double now.

My older Calfee Tetra Pro surprised me with Italian Threads on the BB. This time I want to know before I buy.

Derailleurs generally don't give a crap how many cogs are on the cassette. You'll have to adjust the limits and use friction, but should work (had my X0-3 running 9 on 7 for awhile).

Thanks Dobbler, that's what I thought, but wanted to be sure.

Is that Iggy Pop? Snape, huh? Serves him right!

A 9-speed cassette is too wide for a 7-speed freehub.

Good point, I'd had a new wheelset made with a 9 speed hub and used a spacer to mount a 7 speed.

Is that Iggy Pop? Snape, huh?

Denis Leary - Tommy Gavin (Rescue Me)

Thank you Al.

It is interesting. I have another Shimano 600 hub at home that I put a 9 Speed cassette on yesterday. It may very well be newer though than the one on the bike.

I'm also trying to figure out how old this bike is so I can know what to expect in the BB. I want to switch it over to a compact crank from the regular double now.

My older Calfee Tetra Pro surprised me with Italian Threads on the BB. This time I want to know before I buy.

Yeah, that Shimano 600 hub may be an 8-speed. A 9-speed or 10-speed cassette will fit on an 8-speed freehub.
Sounds like you're on the right track, best to know for sure about the BB/crankset interface.
When I built up my Italian bike I didn't get the BB tight enough the first time and it worked loose. My 1/2" drive beam torque wrench took care of that.