7-speed, can you fit 8-speed wheels?

[bonty98]

Hi,

Can you fit 8-speed wheels on a bike with 7-speed?
I´m looking at a rockhopper from perhaps early 90´s.

Tia
Jan

 

[Raging_Bulls]

Shouldn't be too much of a problem. I've put a 9-speed wheel on the frame of a 7-speed bike to see if the frame was straight, and it slotted straight in.

 

[Anthony]

It's better if the frame has 135mm spacing, but an earlier 130mm steel frame can be modified, if you shout at it loud enough and let it know who's boss (Sheldon Brown gives more details). I shouldn't really advise because I don't know about early 90s Rockhoppers, but I would be surprised if they weren't 135mm.

You just need a spacer if you want to fit a 7-speed cassette to an 8/9-speed hub.

 

[kikideparis]

I had a 91' rockhopper with x1 gruppo and it was in 135mm. if your is in 130mm you can put a 8 speed hub but only a ball bearing hub and have to modify the spacers on the axle and adjust the axle length or find a quick release who accept the extra length...and of course put a cassette
spacer on the freewheel body to adujst the 7 speed k-7.

 

[eejoor]

or you can take it to your lbs who will spread the rear frame for you.

grtz, Danny

 

[oldave]

Steel framed should spring 130 to 135 manually each time you insert the wheel! If not, spread it yourself!

Though I doubt that it's a 130.

 

[bonty98]

Thanx everybody for the replies and advice