hockeyref

So I'm back on the bike riding my old early 1990's Cannondale with 8 speed SIS on the down tube. As I've documented in other threads, I have some perfectly serviceable clincher wheel sets in 8 speed and a new set of Campy Victory Strada 36 hole tubular rims just asking to be made up into a wheel set.... I don't foresee a new bike in the near future so I'm not concerned with being compatible with the latest\supposedly greatest, I want strong, solid and compatible with what I currently have. I'm figuring DT double butted spokes unless someone can suggest better and cheaper options. The conundrum is what hub set and is the new stuff capable of downgrading to 8 speed? Also, what's the availability of 8 speed rear clusters these days? How about taking something newer apart and matching the spacing by playing with shims between cogs? I was considering Shimano 105 or Ultegra hubs but to me these are just names as I have not touched either model since the 90's and a lot of stuff has probably changed. The Ultegra 600 was the go to group when you wanted good stuff (and often more durable) but didn't want to pay Dura-Ace prices....

So give me some suggestions and some info here... I'm a stepping out of a time machine here.... I definitely feel more comfortable in the C&V than the 41 at this point...

achoo

There's no practical difference between 105 and Ultegra hubs.

You should be able to get an 8-speed cassette to fit on nominally 10-speed Shimano-style hubs. I'm not so sure about newer 11-speed hubs, but I'd say you don't want one of those anyway as the dish is more extreme in order to get an 11-speed cassette on.

What's the width of your rear dropout? I think by the time bikes were 8-speed it was 130mm, which should mean you're OK. But I'm sure someone else can weigh in on that.

Al1943

Any 8, 9, or 10-speed Shimano or Shimano compatible 36-hole hub should work. Ultegra or 105 would be a good choice, and would allow you to update to 9, or 10-speed in the future if needed. Shimano did make some wheels that are 10-speed specific so avoid a hub from one of those.

ThermionicScott 

They're available. Most of what you'll find are the MTB ones -- 11-28/30/32 -- but Shimano still makes a handful of "road" cassettes: https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...17&category=42

Cross Creek

I'm running a Shimano HG51-8 cassette on an 8/9/10 spd compatible hub and Ultegra derailleur with no issues whatsoever. NOS is available all over, including Amazon and Ebay.

FastJake

+1

8-speed is still alive and well. Some bits like good front derailers are getting harder to find, but everything else is pretty available.

Any 8/9/10 speed Shimano hub will work when spaced at 130mm, which most of them are. Also, you can always take the 5mm axle washer out of a MTB hub and make it 130mm by cutting off the axle.

bradtx

hockeyref, What is the rear spacing on your Cannondale? Because aluminum frames can't be cold set there are two schools of thought if it's 126 mm, one that I practice is to simply install a 130 mm hub and the other is to play with spacers and nuts to be as close to 126 mm as possible and if needed, redish the rear wheel. Whichever method you prefer is good.

Brad

TrojanHorse

The rear triangle spacing changed from 7 to 8 speed, so he's probably got a 130mm rear already.

Check out ribble or probikekit.com for hubs. The 10 speed stuff seems to be on its way out so you might find some good deals on ultegra, but 105 is plenty good too.