Changing wheels on giant defy composite 2

rock_bus
rock_bus Posts: 35
edited September 2016 in Workshop
Hi
Need some advice as I'm hopeless at this sort of thing.

I have just bought a second hand giant defy composite 2. It has standard wheels on it

I also own a triban t3 but that has been upgraded with shimano rs31 wheels.

I basically want to swap the rs31s on to the defy.

Can I just swap the casettes I.e put the shimano cassette off the defy on the Rs31 wheels and then put the wheels on the defy? And then vice versa with the btwin.

Hope that makes sense, really just want to swap wheels on bikes

Comments

  • trailflow
    trailflow Posts: 1,311
    If the Defy has a 10 speed cassette.

    You'll need a 1.85mm spacer behind the 10spd cassette when fitting on the RS31 11spd freehub. Because the RS31 freehub is longer to accommodate 11spd.

    Any 7,8,9 speed cassette doesn't need a spacer (because its built into the cassette) to fit on any 10sp freehub.
  • rock_bus
    rock_bus Posts: 35
    Thanks, yes it is a 10 speed.

    Does that then mean that the giant wheels won't fit on the Triban, without changing the casette on that?!?

    Apologies you prob need more details but not sure what I'm looking at! Casette on the triban is a Sram 11-28 Cassette and it has three rings on it
    Link to defy spec here https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bi ... ifications
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Are both bikes 10 speed? If so, just swap the wheels and leave the cassettes alone. Shimano and SRAM spacing is the same.
  • rock_bus
    rock_bus Posts: 35
    Possibly dumbest question on here...how do I know if 10 speed??
  • rock_bus
    rock_bus Posts: 35
    Triban has 8 cogs on rear (cassette) and three rings... Does that make is 8 speed

    The casette is newer on the defy so I want to keep that on it.

    Sounds like I will need the spacer.

    All this is more complicated than I thought, now wondering how much a shop would charge me to do it!
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Yes, 8 cogs means it's 8 speed on the Triban, so you do need to swap the cassettes. So you need a cassette lockring tool, a big spanner and a chain whip or a Pedros Chain Vise or similar. Then YouTube for a video of somebody showing you how. It's a useful thing to learn; cassettes do eventually wear out, so just like chains and tyres you do need to be able to replace them.

    If you're only ever going to do it once, it may be quicker, simpler, cheaper to take both rear wheels in to a bike shop and ask them to do it for you. Should take them no more than 10 minutes, and if a spacer is needed they'll have one.

    Do yourself a favour though and get both cassettes as clean as you can before asking them to do the job; the mechanic will appreciate it!
  • trailflow
    trailflow Posts: 1,311
    It's a simple job. Very easy to do. Its worth learning now then you'll save money in the long run.

    Chain whip £3.76
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Bike-Bicy ... SwHnFVwwge

    a cassette lockring tool can found for £2.49 (or 99p from china) but they require a big spanner also
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Bicycle- ... SwBw5XQyMR

    Make sure to buy Shimano fitment type and not Campagnolo. They are different

    This type is easier to use
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBB-BTL-12S-L ... SwyZ5Umbkz


    The 11spd RS31 wheels should have included a 1.85mm spacer in the box. or it might be fitted behind the 8spd cassette.

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