Bicycle Mechanics - Freewheel Cassete question

If a road bike has a freewheel on it can you change that to a cassete and how. Thanks

Not unless you replace the entire hub.

so you can do it if you change the hub as well as the cassete

It means rebuilding the wheel with or buying a new wheel that has a hub will take a Cassette.

Cheers

so you can do it if you change the hub as well as the cassete

Correct. Depending on the rim you have (that is, a nice rim that would be $$ to replace) it may be easier and cheaper to purchase a complete wheel.

...But a freewheel implies an older bike, which may have a narrower "over locknut distance" between the dropouts. Modern road hubs are designed for 130mm between the outside surfaces of the rear dropouts.
You also need to get a compatable number of gears. With indexed systems you usually need to stick with the same cog-count and cog-spacing. With friction-lever systems you can use anything that fits into your frame.
If you do decide to upgrade, you may as well retain the old wheel intact to use as a spare.

...But a freewheel implies an older bike, which may have a narrower "over locknut distance" between the dropouts.

Good point. But any good bike shop may be spread/align the rear end for the wider spacing depending on the frame and its current spacing.

I have a old Trek 330 with 6 speeds in the back. could i change that to a seven speed cassete and not have to change anything but the hub. It has friction shifters and 700cm wheels

I have a old Trek 330 with 6 speeds in the back. could i change that to a seven speed cassete and not have to change anything but the hub. It has friction shifters and 700cm wheels

I have a 1981 Peugeot which is 126mm Hub spacing with a 6 Speed Maillard Freewheel.

I use a wheelset of Dura Ace Hubs 9/10 Speed Cassette 130mm spacing and Mavic Reflex Rims - Dura Ace 9 Speed Derailleur - Shimano 9 Speed Chain.

All "LBS "Performance Bicycle" mechanics" said it would not work and I would need to change many things. They were "wrong" the wheel dropped right into the frame and shifts perfectly with the Simplex "friction" down tube shifters. I like it better than the newer Shimano Indexed Shifters. The hub width difference is only 4mm and most "steel" frames should allow that.

You may also play it safe and just get a 126mm Cassette Hub which will allow a 7 Speed cassette but I would go for the 9/10 130mm. Perhaps you could try a friends 9 Speed wheeset? It should work but you will only be able to shift 7/8 Speed/cogs with the current Rear Derailleur. The Chain will also need to be changed for the 9 speed cassette but should function well enough to test the frame spacing.

so if i got a new deraler also than it would work with nine speeds

so if i got a new deraler also than it would work with nine speedsYou probably don't need a new derailer.

Perhaps you could try a friends 9 Speed wheeset? It should work but you will only be able to shift 7/8 Speed/cogs with the current Rear Derailleur.
WHY?? Many older RDs certainly have enough travel to shift 10 cogs,and if it will shift 8 it will also shift 9 or 10 as the width is the same.

WHY?? Many older RDs certainly have enough travel to shift 10 cogs,and if it will shift 8 it will also shift 9 or 10 as the width is the same.He's right.

He's right.Not in my book. And if it will shift 8 ,it will also shift 9 or 10. Simple concept there sparky.

Not in my book. And if it will shift 8 ,it will also shift 9 or 10. Simple concept there sparky.I quoted YOU chuckles. YOU were right. Learn to read.