Originally Posted by
Harlan
Shifting is so much better with a newer cassette, even in friction mode. The fun starts at 8 speeds and at 10 you can breath on the lever for a shift in friction mode. 8/9/10 cassette hubs are common and easy to come by not to mention lighter.
You can buy a modern shimano 7 spp freewheel that is gear cut like modern cassettes, spaced at 5.0 and indexes with Campy eight speed. No reason to kill all the old stuff if bargains are to be found.