70sSanO

I’ve been running 7 speed cassettes with 8 speed shifters on my mtb’s for years. I’m using 90’s trigger shifters and I felt 8 speed shifters were better than the original 7 speed.

You don’t get an extra click once you set the limit screws, although one exists.

Since most 7 speed cassettes can be broken apart, I open them up and sand the spacers from 3.15mm to 3.0mm. I do have the luxury of extra plastic and aluminum spacers in various thicknesses so I can fine tune the chainline if I want. You also get a slightly narrower cassette, which is a plus for positions 1 and 7.

I prefer 9 speed RD’s, but 6-9 SIS mtb and 6-10 SIS road, except (DA 74XX without a work around), will work

Obviously, good enough was never good enough for me.

John

Edit added: If it is a freewheel and not a cassette. Good enough might be your only answer.

If the cogs can be removed, (not typical on modern freewheels), you can fudge the first 4 cog spacing, but positions 5-7 are limited by the freewheel body shoulder. Then again, I haven’t been so inclined to screw up a good vintage freewheel for the sake of less expensive shifters.