Classic & Vintage - Shimano 600 Derailleur......How many???

How many speeds can an "old" Shimano 600 RD handle. It's currently on a bike with 7 but I have two wheels (both shimano), one with an 8 and the other with a 9 speed freewheel . Would it be able to handle either of the two "larger" freewheels? I'll be running it friction on a Cilo.

One correction... Most likely 8 speed, and definitely 9 speed are cassettes, not freewheels.

Which Shimano 600 RD you are using might make a difference, but if you are doing OK with 7 speeds, you can probably do either 8 or 9.

One warning, 9 speed will require a different chain. The cogs are so close together on a 9 speed that the chains are made narrower.

One correction... Most likely 8 speed, and definitely 9 speed are cassettes, not freewheels.

Which Shimano 600 RD you are using might make a difference, but if you are doing OK with 7 speeds, you can probably do either 8 or 9.

One warning, 9 speed will require a different chain. The cogs are so close together on a 9 speed that the chains are made narrower.


My bad....Their both cassettes. It's just becaue all my bikes have freewheels. Thanks for the heads up on the chain issue. I'm going to try it out the 9 first to see if it would work. Also, would the 9 speed chain work on the 8, or is the 8 speed chain the same as the 7.

My understanding is that a 9 speed chain will work on fewer gears. The inside dimensions haven't changed, only the outside.

I believe that all modern chains that are listed as 8 speed are good for 5-8 speed clusters... Chain dimensions haven't really changed since 5 speeds... although my LBS has different recomendations depending on bike, and I haven't slowed down enough to ask why. It could be a difference between ideal functioning on HG/UG or something.

Also, if I were you, I would test with the existing chain... You might get some rubbing on the cogs , but the real issue as far as the derailleur is whether it has enough movement to reach the inner and outer cogs. You should be able to get a good idea here without needing the chain, just get it before you do much riding.

I did note your bike list in your sig after I posted, so I know you are more experienced than I thought when I posted... :-)

However, since most of your bikes are freewheel... Are you aware that on Shimano compatible wheels cassettes are pretty interchangeable? With only an occasional exception (like Dura-Ace 10 speed), the freehub can take 8-10 speed cassettes... and some 7 speeds (with a spacer). So, if what you want the 9 speed wheel for is because it is a better wheel, but you can get by with 8 cogs, then you can switch to an 8 speed cassette, and you can use the chains you already use. I don't know if it is the same for Campagnolo.

Sheldon Brown's site is one of my main sources for details, and from his tables, it looks like if you can do 8 speed, you only need 5mm more to handle 9 speed. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html

Bear in mind, also, that a 9 speed cassette wheel is probably going to be wider over the lock nuts than a 7 speed freewheel equipped wheel. If your frame is steel, you can cold-set it, but if you're riding aluminium, you might be out of luck.

However, since most of your bikes are freewheel... Are you aware that on Shimano compatible wheels cassettes are pretty interchangeable? With only an occasional exception (like Dura-Ace 10 speed), the freehub can take 8-10 speed cassettes... and some 7 speeds (with a spacer). So, if what you want the 9 speed wheel for is because it is a better wheel, but you can get by with 8 cogs, then you can switch to an 8 speed cassette, and you can use the chains you already use. I don't know if it is the same for Campagnolo.


Thanks for all your help. It never even crossed my mind about changing cassettes between wheels. Thanks!

Bear in mind, also, that a 9 speed cassette wheel is probably going to be wider over the lock nuts than a 7 speed freewheel equipped wheel. If your frame is steel, you can cold-set it, but if you're riding aluminium, you might be out of luck.

The Cilo I'm going to be trying this on was originally equipped with 9 speed cassette. No problem there.:D