Why should I switch to a cassete-hub?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why should I switch to a cassete-hub?
So I've got an early 90's Athena wheelset, Athena hubs and Campagnolo Ypsilon rims. I think the back wheel needs to be rebuilt soon, rim seems to be warped more than a true can fix, but thats besides the point really.
I've had people tell me I might as well just upgrade the whole wheelset while I'm at it. I dont have any interest in going over 7-speeds on this bike, don't care to spend that kind of money right now and to be honest I would like to do my first wheel build anyways. So the question is, whats the real advantage, if any, of upgrading my wheels in this case? How much weight do I really stand to lose?
I've had people tell me I might as well just upgrade the whole wheelset while I'm at it. I dont have any interest in going over 7-speeds on this bike, don't care to spend that kind of money right now and to be honest I would like to do my first wheel build anyways. So the question is, whats the real advantage, if any, of upgrading my wheels in this case? How much weight do I really stand to lose?
#2
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,858
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2930 Post(s)
Liked 2,923 Times
in
1,491 Posts
Unless you want to go over 7spd or your a heavier rider I see no reason to switch. FW type hubs have served very well for years and the system works OK.
To us C&V riders who use 7spd setups the the only real advantage to a cassette is simply that the hub bearings are closer to the end of the axle making a stronger hub and making a bent or broken axle les likely. Shifting may be inproved slightly due to the ranps on a shimano cassette, but if your current setup is using Synchro with a Regina or Suntour FW you'll have to start hunting the correct insert to go with your new hub.
To us C&V riders who use 7spd setups the the only real advantage to a cassette is simply that the hub bearings are closer to the end of the axle making a stronger hub and making a bent or broken axle les likely. Shifting may be inproved slightly due to the ranps on a shimano cassette, but if your current setup is using Synchro with a Regina or Suntour FW you'll have to start hunting the correct insert to go with your new hub.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,978
Bikes: Cannondale T700s and a few others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
No reason unless you want more gears.
I will say this Some hubs can have the freehub swapped to make it able to run the 8 and 9 speed. The Shimano stuff this is a VERY easy swap. The one set of campy wheels I have looks like it would be a easy swap as well but my wheels are a little newer then yours. My wheelset comes set up where you cane set it up for Campy cassettes or swap the freehub to run the Shimano cassettes.
I will say this Some hubs can have the freehub swapped to make it able to run the 8 and 9 speed. The Shimano stuff this is a VERY easy swap. The one set of campy wheels I have looks like it would be a easy swap as well but my wheels are a little newer then yours. My wheelset comes set up where you cane set it up for Campy cassettes or swap the freehub to run the Shimano cassettes.
#4
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,882
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1452 Post(s)
Liked 2,195 Times
in
962 Posts
Does your freewheel still have lots of life? Probably so. Or it can be serviced to bring it back to great health and good riding.
If you like what you have and can fix the current issues, why get into the the whole dog chasing its tail routine of changing one component, which means another needs to be changed, and another, and another, etc. Trust me, I've been there.
If you like what you have and can fix the current issues, why get into the the whole dog chasing its tail routine of changing one component, which means another needs to be changed, and another, and another, etc. Trust me, I've been there.
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairplay Co
Posts: 9,519
Bikes: Current 79 Nishiki Custum Sport, Jeunet 620, notable previous bikes P.K. Ripper loop tail, Kawahara Laser Lite, Paramount Track full chrome, Raliegh Internatioanl, Motobecan Super Mirage. 59 Crown royak 3 speed
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 1,761 Times
in
634 Posts
I can't think of a good reason to change unless the freewheel is worn out bad then it may be cheaper to rebuild the wheel with a cassette.
#7
Tyrannosaurus Rexitis
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 934
Bikes: Scott Addict 6870
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 60 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Shifting is so much better with a newer cassette, even in friction mode. The fun starts at 8 speeds and at 10 you can breath on the lever for a shift in friction mode. 8/9/10 cassette hubs are common and easy to come by not to mention lighter.
#8
Wookie Jesus inspires me.
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 2,215
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I guess I'm in the camp that thinks cassette hubs are nicer in almost every way (minus compatibility). Not to mention that equivalent high end hubs today are leagues ahead of older hubs. Hell, it pains me to throw away a freewheel because of all the metal it holds.
Freewheels are good enough, but are not better.
*preparing self for the lynch mob*
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,704
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
You can buy a modern shimano 7 spp freewheel that is gear cut like modern cassettes, spaced at 5.0 and indexes with Campy eight speed. No reason to kill all the old stuff if bargains are to be found.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 228
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cassettes and freehubs usually have a "tighter" action. Freewheels generally have and develop play faster. They are also harder to rebuild.
I'm looking forward to running a set of open pros/ultegra wheelset I just bought.
I'm looking forward to running a set of open pros/ultegra wheelset I just bought.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks everyone,
Freewheel seems to be in a pretty good condition as far as the life of the cogs/teeth and I've cleaned it up as much as much as possible short of disassembling and it spins/clicks great. Like I said, I dont want to go higher than 7-speed on this so I think I'll just do the rebuild. And I'm not very heavy but the weight bearing will be a good thing to keep in mind for a planned tourer.
Freewheel seems to be in a pretty good condition as far as the life of the cogs/teeth and I've cleaned it up as much as much as possible short of disassembling and it spins/clicks great. Like I said, I dont want to go higher than 7-speed on this so I think I'll just do the rebuild. And I'm not very heavy but the weight bearing will be a good thing to keep in mind for a planned tourer.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tekhna
Bicycle Mechanics
7
02-24-15 09:43 PM