Best way to get 9 speed onto 88 Rock Hopper (126mm, 6sp Exage hub)
07-16-19, 02:40 PM
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Best way to get 9 speed onto 88 Rock Hopper (126mm, 6sp Exage hub)
I just picked up an 88 Rock Hopper with a 6-speed Exage rear hub in 126mm spacing. I think it’s Uniglide. The 6-speed cassette is really worn and rusty so I figured if I’m going to all the trouble of replacing it, may as well upgrade. Plus the shifters feel pretty junky.
What’s my best path forward for getting away from the Uniglide 6-speed hub? I’ve read about converting the existing free hub body to a Hyperglide body, swapping to a longer axle, and redishing the wheel.
I’ve thought about just replacing the wheel with a more modern one but I assume most 26” wheels I’m likely to find are going to have 135mm spacing which is a bit much for this frame.
I’ve considered relacing the wheel with a different hub. If I did so, would it make the most sense to use a road hub with 130mm spacing? I shouldn’t need to cold set the frame to put a 130 in there.
thanks for any advice!
What’s my best path forward for getting away from the Uniglide 6-speed hub? I’ve read about converting the existing free hub body to a Hyperglide body, swapping to a longer axle, and redishing the wheel.
I’ve thought about just replacing the wheel with a more modern one but I assume most 26” wheels I’m likely to find are going to have 135mm spacing which is a bit much for this frame.
I’ve considered relacing the wheel with a different hub. If I did so, would it make the most sense to use a road hub with 130mm spacing? I shouldn’t need to cold set the frame to put a 130 in there.
thanks for any advice!
07-16-19, 02:57 PM
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I cold set my 86 Rockhopper to 135. Wasn't hard. Because you have to spread them wider than 135 to get them to stick at 135, it's hard not to wonder while you're doing it whether you're going too far, but you're not. Steel is real.
07-16-19, 03:08 PM
#3
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I would get a whole new wheel whose hub will accommodate either road or mountain cassettes. Some bikes come with rear dropout spacing of 132.5 so can go either way.
07-16-19, 03:25 PM
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If you swap to an 8-10 speed freehub body, use a longer axle, and install an extra 2mm spacer on the left side (bringing it up to 130mm), there's a good chance you won't have to re-dish the wheel. 
07-20-19, 02:50 PM
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The easiest way to see if your rear hub uses Hyper-Glide, is if the hub's diameter steps up to a much wider section. If you have it, you'll see what I mean right away. 👍
I have one with a 7-speed Exage hub and Ritchey rim, that'll easily upgrade. Don't forget, some LX was branded Exage LX, so it's at least "decent", quality-wise. 😎
I have one with a 7-speed Exage hub and Ritchey rim, that'll easily upgrade. Don't forget, some LX was branded Exage LX, so it's at least "decent", quality-wise. 😎
