7 speed cassette on 8/9/10 free hub?

[neilob]

Hopefully not a stupid question but can you fit a Shimano 7 speed cassette (HG) onto a Shimano 8/9/10 speed free hub? I’m guessing that I will need a spacer at least? Thanks for your advice.

[Brucey]

yes a ~4mm spacer will do it.

It is a combination that upsets me though; it is 'a waste of wheel dish'.... it is surely better to have sprockets or (better yet) spokes rather than fresh air above the spacer.

cheers

[neilob]

Thanks Brucey. I understand your point but I’m constrained by a pair of early STIs on the one hand and a pair of spare wheels on the other! Will a plastic shim be ok or does it need to be metal?

[Samuel D]

Metal ones are readily available, for example here. Unless your third constraint is a plastic spacer already in your parts box?

[slowster]

If the cassette's sprockets are riveted together, then you will need a spacer with three small notches to accommodate the protruding rivets. If you click on the link Samuel D has provided and scroll down the page, you should see a JTek brand spacer with the notches listed as a 'related product'.

[neilob]

Thanks everyone!