Styk33

I built up a set of Chris King wheels for my MTB. I had a 9 speed on there and everything worked great. My friend has an older bike with a 7 speed cassette and I put the wheels on other day and there was a decent gap between the piece that screws on the hub and the last sprocket. I threw on my 11T sprocket to hold him over to ride with for a few days, but what is the best permanant solution?

I thought hubs did not change in width from the different speeds, although I have not kept up on everything in the last few years.

He has 7 speed index shifters, should he just buy a new 7speed cassette, or 8 speed?

Any helpful suggestions welcome.

pokey

Yes, they do have to get wider. Shimano 8/9 speed hubs work with either cassette.To use a 7 speed shimano cassett on them you need a 4.5mm spacer on the hub before the cassette.LBS should have them or can get through QBP catalog.If the cassette is held togetehr with small bolts,they will probably interfeer with the spacer and will likely need to be removed or the spacer notched to accomodate them.Riveted togeter casettes are usually ok.You cannot just stick an 8 speed cassette on a 7 speed hub either ,due to the cassette being too wide.

Styk33

Thank you very much. I will go out this week and get it straightened out from my LBS.