Bicycle Mechanics - 7 to 9 speed

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mzeffex

10-04-09, 08:25 PM

I have the '09 XT drivetrain, DT swiss front wheel, Fox fork.. might as well make it 9 speed, right? It's a complete frankenbike specialized hardrock from 1999. Fun stuff. Anyway, can I just put a new 9 speed cassette body on the same rear wheel? How much would the drop outs need to be spread? It's steel so I figure it doesn't matter.

Svr

10-04-09, 09:15 PM

If it's a Shimano hyperglide freehub, yes you can swap the freehub body for an 8/9 speed unit. Dropout spacing should be 135mm for a 1999 frame.

rogerstg

10-05-09, 08:26 AM

You can swap freehubs like Svr wrote, but you may have an issue with the proper fit for the right cone and dust shield. I usually buy a hub on sale, which is usually only about $10 more than a freehub body. Then I scavenge the freehub as well as the cone/shield/spacers and bearings. You'll also end up with a spare skewer and axle.