Fishboy

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered here before, but I need the straight scoop. My 8 speed STI's are worn out and thinking of upgrading to 9 speed. I have a nice wheelset with White Industries Ti hubs and don't want to replace them. The hubs are 8 speed and were built before 9 speed existed. Can I put a 9 speed cassette on this hub? Are 8 and 9 speed rear hub shells the same width?

Also, I'm looking to buy a wheelset for my son. He is also running 8 speed and I plan to stick with that on his bike. I will only need a spacer behind the cassette if I buy a 10 speed compatable wheel. Is that correct?

sydney

Yes, if it's using a hyperglide cassette.... Yes if the cassette is hypergide, the 10 speed cassette comes with the 1mm spacer.

Fishboy

Thanks Sydney
I guess I'm still a little confused about the 10 speed wheel. If I put an 8 or 9 speed cassette on one. I will need a spacer thicker than 1mm, right?

Fishboy

PS
Yes. They are all hyperglide cassettes I'm talking about. Thanks again

sydney

You caught me in a brainfat with the 10 speed wheel.Why 10 speed? just get a 8/9 compatible shimano.There are lots of them around.Or use a shimano 10 with an ultegra hub body. It aslo accepts 8 or 9 speed HG cassettes and no spacer required.

DieselDan

Shimano's 10 speed only freehubs have deeper splines and will only accept a 10 speed cassette, but will fit 8/9 speed freehubs because the spline pattern is the same. The 10 speed's cogs are just thinner enough, and closer together, that a 1mm spacer is needed.

sydney

BS..The ultegra 10 hub body is steel with the same spline pattern and depth as 8/9 hubs and are 8/9 compatible. The DA hub body is aluminum and has the deeper splines.

DieselDan

Never seen the Ultegra 10 speed. Thanks sydney.