Bicycle Mechanics - Can I make my 7spd into a nine?

So lets say I want to turn my 7spd G-fisher in a nine, 10, ext.? How do I go about finding out if I can put more cogs on it?

It's no problem if it's a Shimano. Just buy a new 8/9 sp cassette hub body. Now you can use 8/8/10 cassettes on your old wheel. You'll probably need to redish it. Most Shimano 7 sp derailleurs can handle a 9/10 sp cassette.

Sounds like a good project. Good luck and don't forget the brifters, they're the most expensive part of the project.


Tim

I don't understand the redishing part. Dish is measured from the lock nuts on the axle. Do you have to change the standard 130mm or 135mm width?

Check to see if you have a freewheel. If its a freewheel wheel, you can change the free wheel to a 8speed. If you want nine, then you'll need a new wheel

8 speed freewheels were never that great an idea as the installation of one requires that you add spacers to the drive side and also have to redish the wheel.

On a freewheel hub this results in even more unsupported axle and leads to a higher probability for bending or breakage of the axle.

A freehub is the way to go.

Since the bike is a G. Fisher, I will assume it's a MTB with 135mm axle spacing. You may or may not need to redish. Because the drive side bearings are riding in the freehub body cup. If you swap the 7 speed body for a 8/9/10 body, it's longer, and the cup may be at a different location. The 7 speed drive side axle spacers may be different, and you may need shorter spacers.

Fishon, I recently upgraded my GT LTS DH from 7 speed to 9 speed. It went exactly as Sheldon Brown describes (if you need the link, let me know). I purchased a Shimano 8/9 speed freehub body, which is wider than the original 7 speed freehub body. I then put on a new 9 speed SRAM cassette. The wheel did need to be redished slightly, as the wider freehub moves the "centre" slightly.

Regards, Mark.