hi guys
need some direction. i weigh 212 pounds and i ride over rough roads. it was suggested i get the vuelta hd wheels from nashbar as these are well built and the price is right. question, at present my fuji 5.0 absolute circa 2012, uses a 7 cog set up, with a 3 chainring set-up,that is 28t-38t-48t.
the vuelta hd, is adaptable as far as the nashbar catalog says, to 8-9-10 cog cassettes, with a spacer. so i am thinking of getting a 8-speed cassette, a shimano alivio-hg51, with 11-32t cogs. can this be done?
thanks in advance.

acorn54, Are you planning to increase the number of cogs in back? If so, you'll want to replace the 7S shifters to match.

Using a 4.5 mm spacer, in addition to any other required spacers for this wheel, you can continue to use a 7S cassette and your current shifters. An 8S shifter can work pretty well with a 7S cassette, but I have no experience using a 7S shifter / 8S cog combination and limiting the RD's travel.

Brad

2012 Fuji Absolute 5.0 ST - New and Used Bike Value
Vuelta Corsa HD Road Wheelset

Those look like they should be decent wheels.

The specs list 130mm over-locknut-spacing (OLD).

Remove your rear wheel on your bike, and measure between the rear dropouts. Is it 130mm? 135mm? That will make a difference for your wheel choice.

As far as the cassette, you should be able to fit a 7s cassette, but would need an extra spacer, but I'm not sure on the width. Whatever fits?

Your bike probably has indexed shifting. That means that it won't work properly when mounting an 8s cassette. And, the spacing for 8s is different than 7s, so you can't just use some of the sprockets.

If you go that direction, you should probably replace the shifters as well as the cassette. And, maybe also the rear derailleur (and front too?)

With some major upgrades, there would be no reason not to jump to at least 9-speed (also requiring a new chain).

Hopefully you would end up with a good bike build, but it would be a good chunk of change.

The 7s cassette + extra spacer would be the easiest and cheapest.

brad thanks for your response.
cliff thanks, that is the direction i will go, using a 7 speed cassette & extra spacer.

Don't forget to check the hub width before ordering.

hub width is 126mm OLD does that mean 130mm hub on the vuelta hd wheel rear will not fit on my bike,?

+1

thanks brad you saved me a big headache

126mm OLD on a 2012 bike? WOW.

I'd seriously consider cold-setting the frame to 130mm. There should be notes on the internet.

A 130 mm OLD hub will work in a 126 mm spaced frame, generally just a little thumb pressure to spread the chain stays when installing.

Brad

brad thanks for chiming in. i really wanted the peace of mind that i'll get with those wheels on my bike, especially here on long island. years ago i could get away with single-wall rims that were 36 spokes, but the local department of transportation has let the roads go to pot (no pun intended).

4.5 mm. Bike shops should have them. You could probably order one from Nashbar when you order your wheels.

I have two sets of Vuelta Corsa HD wheels - they're great, especially when you can get them for ~$130 and free shipping. They're really not that heavy; it's just the 36 spokes that earns them the HD designation.

Beware of some of the spacers intended to fit a 7sp cassette on a newer wheel. I bought one a few years ago and it buckled while tightening the cassette lockring. I had some old cassettes in my box of parts and put a spacer & small cog on the freehub body, then the 7sp cassette.

thanks for your input eric. i just ordered the wheels with the presidents-day sale going on. i also ordered a 7 speed hg50 shimano cassette. i gave a note that i will need a 4.5mm spacer because of me using a 7 speed cassette,so i presume the techs at bike nashbar know what type of spacer to send me, but how will i know if the spacer won't buckel?
this may seem like a dumb question but i am not a pro on this bike mechanic stuff. when i get the spacer, do i put it on the axel BEFORE, i screw on the cassette?

acorn54, The cassette mounts onto the freehub body, not the axle. The spacer is installed on the freehub body before the cassette is installed. You will need a cassette tool, available from Park or Shimano, and a wrench to install the cassette.

Brad

got ya brad thanks i forgot to mention i also added a park fr-5- GC hyperglide lockring tool with guide, along with the shimano ACERA CS HG 50 7-SPEED cassette and i have a wrench in my tool box.