How do you change rear hubs?

MTB noob

I have a Carrera Valour (in avatar) and I am trying to upgrade the gear block from freewheel to cassette because I am running out of pedal often when i'm going downhill :x . The thing is, I have a tight budget and I cannot afford something like £120 for a new wheel set . I would appreciate it if someone can tell me how to do this because I have researched this and all they say is bring it in store and pay £50 or something. I know how to fit a cassette and all that but its the hub that I don't have knowledge of. If anyone can help me, that would be brilliant :!:

Thanks

supersonic

Unbuild the wheel (slowly - there are guides), remove all spokes, get new hub and spokes (the old ones probably won't fit) rebuild.

Will be cheaper to get a new wheel! From £30:

http://www.woollyhatshop.com/Wheels/26- ... od_18.html

nicklouse

First off measure the hub width as a new hub may not actually fit.

Unbuilt th old wheel.nbuy hub. Work out the new spoke lengths. Buy spokes. And required tools.

Have a read of Sheldon Browns pages on wheel building and then buy a suitable wheel.


What is the cog sizes on the current block.

MTB noob

I can get a new hub + new cassette for £40 so im covered for money. And my cog sizes range between 14-28

nicklouse

MTB noob wrote:

I can get a new hub + new cassette for £40 so im covered for money. And my cog sizes range between 14-28

Then add the spokes an the cost of building.....

MTB noob

Do you have to pay someone to build the wheel up again or can you do it yourself?

supersonic

You can do it yourself:

http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Not easy to start. You need to calculate spoke lengths too.

StefanP

if you build it up to a decent level, but can't true it up well enough, you could always just pay for a wheel true, ask if you can do this though, because they might be a bit wierd about it (i dont see why they should though!)

nicklouse

StefanP wrote:

if you build it up to a decent level, but can't true it up well enough, you could always just pay for a wheel true, ask if you can do this though, because they might be a bit wierd about it (i dont see why they should though!)

The reason is that they will have to basically rebuild it again.

The Rookie

It is not worth building a wheel to a budget, it's always cheaper to buy new (and sell the one you have!), a wheel build will cost you £20, a true £10 at most bike shops, SS linked to a £30 wheel....

I don't believe you are really going fast enough off road to need to change anyway, 42t outer and 14t at the rear, you should be able to do over 30mph!

Simon

MTB noob

The reason for the upgrade is that to be honest I am a speed freak. I personally think that 30mph isn't enough - I reached that going to work so I would like to exceed 35 down a nice hill. And I don't really mind if I have to spend 2 hours on something

supersonic

If you like the look of the work involved in the links, go for it.

But you may have to do some precise measuring for the spoke calculator.

stubs

Wouldnt it be easier to just buy a freehub with a better gear range most cassettes and freewheels come with an 11t high gear. Thats about a 20% higher ratio than a 14t (I think I am a bit too drunk to work it out)

supersonic

He appears to have a screw on block - Shimano sadly have stopped making the MZ freewheel with an 11 toother.