aljohn

I've got a pair of wheels I want to use on a new (eventually) build. Currently there's an 8 speed sram fitted. If it's any help, a lockring, then small sprocket come off then the rest of the cluster - dunno if that identifies it? I'm just curious, what is the smallest number of sprockets could I fit? Is the body part of the wheel or is it detachable? Basically, I fancy a 5 speed cluster, I don't actually need 8 on the back. I had visions of a triple chainset and 5 sprockets, but if I have to have 8 sprockets then I'd probably fit a double chainset. This is mainly 'cos I'm what is known as a tight g#t and want to use the existing wheel. At the moment these are just musings - until I've cleared a backlog of jobs that my wife seems to feel are necessary........

HillRider

If it currently has an 8-speed cassette, it's a freehub and the ratcheting body is part of the hub.

An 8-speed body will accept 8,9 and 10-speed cassettes and a 7-speed cassette with a 4.5 mm spacer. There are no 5-speed cassettes and 6-speed cassettes are collectors items and probably won't fit your freehub body anyway.

So, 7-speed is a low as you can go in any practical terms. Trying to cobble up something to take 5-cogs would probably be more expensive than just staying with 7 or 8-speed.