ridelikeaturtle

I've an older (late 90's) Bianchi with 8-speed Campy Record, and I'm running a Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7401 cassette (on a Shimano hub, obviously) that's 11-23, using the Campagnolo spacers.

Now that's it's probably about time to replace the chain & cassette, I'm thinking an Ultegra 6500 9 speed cassette, and simply toss one of the gears.

First question: will this work? (I don't see why it wouldn't, as long as I continue to use the Campy spacers like I'm doing now, the indexing has not been a problem.)

Second question: which gear to remove?

I'd like to get a bit more range, so I'm looking at the 12-27: 12.13.14.15.17.19.21.24.27

Is the 14t the one to get rid of? So the final 8 gears would be 12.13.15.17.19.21.24.27

blamester

Not sure what you have but you cannot change the spacing on a 6500 cassette.
The last five are on a carrier.

KLiNCK

You could use a 9 speed cassette on an 8 speed equipped bike - you would just have to set the limiting screws to "ignore" either the largest or smallest cog.

ridelikeaturtle

OK, then I'll need to consider something else. Unless I can get the sprockets on their own, so I can use the Campy spacers, the indexing will be wrong. Unfortunately, simply ignoring either the largest or smallest won't work with the Campy shifters.

I'll do some research on what Shimano cassettes can be had so that I can have the sprockets individually.

shelbyfv

Interesting. Would it index OK?

fietsbob

have to replace the shifter to a 9 speed too.

ridelikeaturtle

Following on... the SRAM PG850 8 speed cassette, 11-28t. Looks like it can be split by removing a 1.5mm allen screw, which would be easier than drilling out a rivet on a Shimano cassette. I'll remove the allen screw, use my Campy spacers, and all should be good.

dabac

Opinions about that differ. And "OK" is not a tightly defined condition.

ridelikeaturtle

Not in my case. I have to use the Campagnolo spacers between the sprockets to work correctly with the Campagnolo shifters.

fietsbob

Jtec shift mate.

ridelikeaturtle

Interesting... I had no idea that existed! However, looking at some photos, it looks a little chunky... I think I'll first just try replacing what I've got & split up an SRAM PG850. I could use a new chain & cassette anyway.

Thanks for the info!

nfmisso

This is the easiest route/lowest cost.

Some (maybe all) 8 speed Shimano HG50 cassettes are held together with three screws.

You should also check out: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html Scroll down to: Cassette /Freewheel Spacing.

Generally in 8 and 9 speed Shimano, SRAM and Sunrace; the bottom end cassettes are riveted together, the middle of the range have screws, and the top end have combination of screws and inseparable blocks (for the high tooth count cogs).

A higher cost route is Miche individual cogs for Shimano 8 speed, using your current Campy spacers.