dit

Is there any reason one of the new 8 speed gear changers will not work on an old 5 speed freewheel when using friction shifters? Shimano XT is the gear changer.

Thanks

ditz

Jeff Wills

No. The only possible glitch is that a very old "5-speed" chain may be a bit too wide for the derailleur's cage. If you have a newer chain on the bike, you should be OK.

dit

Everything on my bike is old including me. If I need to get a new chain I will surely do that. I assume that the new 7/8 speed chains will work with the old 5 cog freewheel??

Thanks again for the help. I have bee away from cycling for at least 20 years and there have been a few changes.

ditz

Torchy McFlux

5/6/7/8-speed chains share the same dimensions and are pretty much interchangeable.

dit

Just an update....my old chain did work but did rub on the tension roller guides on the extreme ends such as small cog and small chainwheel. I did go to a new model chain and the rubbing went away. You fellas sure have your stuff together.

thanks ..........ditz

HillRider

Not quite. 7 and 8-speed chains are the same width and interchangable. In the past they were referred to as "narrow" or "ultra" chains.

Older 5/6 speed chains are wider and don't work properly on the narrower 7 and above speed cassettes or freewheels. However a 7/8-speed chain will work fine on 5 or 6-speed freewheels.