Originally Posted by
lasauge
Technically what you propose is possible with enough spacers and possibly modifying a cassette, but as a practical matter it would be much easier (and minimally expensive) to change to a 7-sp (or greater) indexed shifter and get a cassette to match.
The wheels I linked say 8-11 so I guess it's at least an 8 I need. I don't suppose anyone makes new indexed downtube shifters in 8-9 speed? I'm not locked into downtube shifting. Any suggestions for good inexpensive shifters?