9 speed shifters with 7 speed cassette

mcrine
mcrine Posts: 22
edited April 2009 in Workshop
Hi all

To cut a long story short my mate has a road bike which was used a couple of times and worked fine, then left in the shed through winter.

He took it to the LBS to make sure all was working and he was told it had 9 speed shifters with a 7 speed cassette.
They told him he would need to completely change the rear wheel and cassette.

Can you not set the limit screws on the derailleur to compensate for the lack of gears?
Can you just replace the 7 speed cassette with a 9 speed cassette?

any and all advice much appreciated

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    will not work if shimano as the cog spacing is different.

    you can use 8 spd shifter with a 7 spd cassette as the spacing is the same.

    the frehub/cassette are different widths bet ween 7spd and the 8/910 free hub.

    have a read http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html

    you could build a 8 spd cassette out of a 9spd cassette and use that.

    scroll down on the sheldon link.

    PS no need to multi post it :wink:
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    + 1 on what nick said

    LBS is almost right. You don't strictly have to have a new wheel, as it is possible to fit a 9spd freehub to your current wheel (assuming Shimano here), and re-spacer and re-dish it. Most usually just get a new wheel though.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    I don't understand how it 'worked fine' before being left in the shed over-Winter, then has ended-up like this.

    Either it didn't work fine, or someone's mistaken about the componentry.
  • gundersen
    gundersen Posts: 586
    During a hard winter with many frosty nights, the spacers between the cogs shrink. This is detrimental to the function of the gears.

    I thought everybody knew that.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    you were lucky before

    9spd shifters don't work with 7spd cassettes. Not unless you do something odd like alter the cable routing or spacers or just use two gears.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • mcrine
    mcrine Posts: 22
    Cheers for the quick replies

    I had a look at the sheldon brown site I think that is above my mechanical expertise.
    Looks like a new rear wheel and cassette.

    Thanks again
  • rockmount
    rockmount Posts: 761
    It will work just fine .... as a two speed .. :wink:
    .. who said that, internet forum people ?
  • mcrine
    mcrine Posts: 22
    I have no idea how or why it worked before.
    It is a Raliegh bike he contacted them and they are sending out new shifters so problem solved.
    Thanks again for all replies and advice

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