I D K

in pursuit of a good all-around bike i picked up a schwinn crisscross (double butted cromo, lugged, rack mounts, 2 x bottle cage mounts, canti brakes). since i am converting to drop bars i am stumped as to what is the best path for sti/brifters. the bike currently has a 7 speed freewheel but i plan on replacing the wheels at some point.

so my question is: if i plan on replacing the wheels anyway should i just upgrade to 8+ cassette in the rear? if i can find a wheelset that offers 7 speed cassette then i can cheap out and get some older brifters.

i feel that 7 is enough since it has a triple up front but i worry that if i build an 8+ speed wheelset with a 7 speed cassette and spacer that the gears will be 8+ travel distance apart and the 7 speed brifters will no longer work.

its more money upfront but should i just go 8+ in the rear and get a modern wheelset since i need to purchase the brifters anyhow? ill have to get a new RD and spread the rear triangle if i go 8+ also.

thoughts, experience, insights; all appreciated.

Dave Mayer

8 speed and 7 speed SHimano spacing is almost the same. If set up well, they are effectively cross-compatible.

But, Instead of getting a new wheel and having to stretch out your frame, I would install a Sora 7-speed right hand shifter. 7 cogs are enough. Leave the left-hand a downtube shifter. 90+% of your shifting is on the right. Replace the freewheel with a modern HG37 or the like, a new IG51 chain and replace the cables and housings. The shifter is around $40 on Ebay, freewheel and chain about $15 each and new shifter cables and housing (buy cut lengths - not a kit) will be around $10.

This will shift like butta, and cost you less than $100 for brand new parts.

due ruote 

You could transplant an 8 spd body onto that wheelset and just go with the 8 speed brifters from the start, or go with 8 spd indexed bar end shifters. Even friction barcons will shift really nicely with a new 8 spd cassette if you want to consider that (less expensive) route.

I D K

thanks for the replies. the bike was a flat bar with rapid shifters originally so i dont have an oem downtube shifter but i could get one online if i cant find a spare in the parts bin.

i was worried about adding an 8 spd in the rear to the stock wheels, 1 - because theyre heavy and probably cheap, 2 - the last wheelset i took out on a gravel ride that also had a freewheel ended up with a bent rear axle. but that would at least get this bike on the road for the time being though.

any thoughts on gearing? the large gear in the rear is a 30t.

DIMcyclist

I agree with Dave, as far as doing it on the cheap goes, but if you also need a left drop-bar shifter, it might be economical to snag a pair of Shimano 2300 STIs; they average about $100 - $120/set, brand new (less still, when they go on sale). They're not bad by most accounts; the 'Claris' 2400-series shifters are actually good value.

If you plan on keeping the flat bar, the 7sp EF-series shifters are also a fairly decent value.

upthywazzoo 

The Claris shifters are excellent. Put them on my girlfriend's bike and they shift very nicely for being bottom tier. They also don't have the thumb lever.

mobilemail

drivetrain and wheel upgrades can get expensive fast. Ride the bike a bit and make sure you like it enough to invest the money. It may be a better choice to just ride it until you find a deal on something that is closer to what you want, and sell this one.