So I did this. The upper is a seven speed cassette on a seven speed hub. The lower is an eleven speed cassette on an eleven speed hub. The difference in the dimensions from the insides of the flanges to the insides of the large sprockets are less than 1mm (larger for the seven speed). So the lateral difference in the drive side spoke positions at the hub should be 1.0 mm - 0.7 mm = 0.3 mm. Relative to a 20 mm +/- flange to frame centerline distance, that's less than 2%. I can't see how that would make an appreciable difference in wheel strength.

Tentatively, my verdict is that these two wheel combinations would be of equal strength:

A) 11 speed hub + 130 OLN
B) 10 speed hub + 126 OLN

It would seem that Hondo's proposed method checks out (thanks for that). I still may not be brave enough to try it but but it's nice to know that the option has legs.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion, it has been immensely helpful.


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