Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 600
Likes: 159
From: In a boat
Bikes: 1990 Specialized Sirrus Triple, 1985 Trek 460, 2005 Lemond Tourmalet, 1984 Schwinn LeTour 'Luxe, 1988 Trek 400T, 1985 Trek 450, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1993 Diamond Back Apex, 1988 Schwinn Circuit, 1988 Schwinn Prologue, 1978 Trek TX700, Sannino
The aluminum Shimano hub itself is the same for 7 speed and 8/9/10 speed. The axle, freehub and other assorted small parts make up the difference. If you add a 8/9/10 freehub and go from 126 to 130 OLD you will have the same amount of dish as an 8 speed wheel and they seem to hold up just fine. I've done this several times, swapped in a 8/9/10 freehub and set spacing at 130 OLD, and not had any issues. Spoke length was never a problem. I did back off all the nipples several turns and worked my way back up, balancing spoke tension and checking dish as I went.