8 speed Shimano cassette on Elite Suito trainer hub.

ciarandonn

Hi all, I thought that the Elite Suito was compatable with 8 speed before I bought it but it is officially only compatable with 9-10-11 speed.
I have searched everywhere on the web and (and here) and the only advice I can find is that by adding the correct amount of spacers, my 8 speed will ride smoothly.
The Suito comes with two spacers and I tried adding both and then only one, but out of my 8 speed triple, I can use around 7 gears.
I do not want to damage the cassette, chain etc, so I would like advice on how many spacers I should add to make it run smoothly and what mm size etc they should be. If anyone can help I would be relieved. Getting my hands on spacers has proven a little hard too. I tried 3 bike shops today that said they did not have any and to buy just one online comes with a 10 pound postage fee!

Ben6899

If you're happy how it's running, then don't worry about damaging anything.

ciarandonn

Well that's just it, I am not happy. There is a lot of noise and occasional crunching of gears.

i.bhamra

Have you tried indexing your gears specifically for use on the trainer? You may need to tweek your high and low stops to get it running smoothly.

reaperactual

i.bhamra said:

Have you tried indexing your gears specifically for use on the trainer? You may need to tweek your high and low stops to get it running smoothly.

Agreed. You can't expect the derailleur set up to be tuned properly to a different cassette on a trainer.

An 11 speed MTB standard cassette requires a 1.85mm spacer to fit a Road freehub but not sure it is relevant to 8 speeds and is only required to tighten the cassette before the lockring bottoms out? It has nothing to do with changing the cassette position on the freehub.

ciarandonn

Thanks guys. I am actually using the same size of 8 speed cassette on the trainer as on the wheel of the bike. I have added spacers but it seems to make no difference. If I adjust the indexing then I would have to readjust when I take the bike back out on the road. I was hoping to still go out weekly. Maybe I really need to get another bike, say a 9,10 or 11 speed just for the trainer?

reaperactual

The different positions of each cassette when mounted will only be a fraction.

Maybe as simple as making a mental note of how many clicks of fine tune and turns of hi/low limit screw needed to mount and remount each time could end up not being that much of a hassle once or twice a week?

Ben6899

reaperactual said:

The different positions of each cassette when mounted will only be a fraction.

Maybe as simple as making a mental note of how many clicks of fine tune and turns of hi/low limit screw needed to mount and remount each time could end up not being that much of a hassle once or twice a week?

This. Ideally*, I tweak the rear mech a 1/4 turn out when I put my bike on the trainer and I turn it back right away after finishing the session.

It just becomes part of the turbo ritual. Bike on, rear mech adjusted - turbo - rear mech adjusted, bike off.

*I don't always bother, tbh

ciarandonn

Thanks for that. I will do that . Thankyou to all.