jimbrooks

Hi, I have a 2018 Fuji Sportif 1.9 Disc that I picked up on sale as a second bike (for possible conversion to a gravel bike later). It has 8-speed Claris derailleurs and I was thinking of replacing them with 11-speed 105 derailleurs and shifters. I know that wheels that will take an 11-speed cassette use a spacer for 9- and 10-speed cassettes so i'm assuming that the fact there is no spacer behind the 8-speed cassette that came with the bike, that there's no way to use this wheel (Vera Corsa DPD22) with an 11-speed groupset. I wanted to check with people here, though, since I've never done this before and I have no confirmation from doing an internet search. I'm assuming that this is probably an in-house product from Fuji, but the few specs I have been able to find say the freehub compatibility is 9-11.

Anyway, thanks for help.

delbiker1 

I could be wrong, but I think you would have to replace the whole crank/chainrings, the derailleurs and the cassette, chain and shifters. Also, I think the 8 speed hub will not work with 11 speed set up. The cable changing of the gears with index comes from the brifters not the cassette or derailleurs. Have you priced all those things? Do you have the tools and the know how to do this yourself. If not, you are also looking a fairly big labor cost to make all these changes. You would probably be better off just buying a bike with 11 speed components. If the above info is wrong, somebody on the forums will probably correct me. At least I hope that is the case. Or you could just ask someone at your LBS, and they could also give you a price for all the above.

dsbrantjr

Actually, it is the combination of the cable pull from the brifters AND the actuation ratio of the derailleurs which determines the derailleur movement per click, which then needs to align with the spacing of the cassette cogs to index properly. So all 3 have to be correct.

jimbrooks

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I planned on replacing the shifters, both derailleurs, and the cassette. I'd assumed the crankset could stay the same, but I haven't been able to find any info on whether it would need replacing or not. The main thing that I'm stuck on is whether the freewheel hub on the back wheel will take an 11-speed cassette. I'm sure it doesn't, but the info on the web isn't very helpful for this wheel. If it turns out that it has to be replaced (and if doing this conversion entails replacing the crankset, too), then you're absolutely right that it passes the tipping point.

delbiker1 

Thank you for the correction on the misstatement on my post.

Eggman84

I'm still in the 9 speed era but what I have seen is that Shimano/SRAM 11 speed cassettes are wider than 8/9/10 speed ones. So yes, you need a new, wider freehub body (probably a new wheel), unless your old one was not very old and used a spacer to fit the old cassette. I doubt though that the hub supplied on your bike has the capability (designed/manufactured to go straight from 8 to 11 seems to be a stretch for budget bike).

Eggman84

Tracked down a little more info on spacer requirements. Can't vouch for this but see the article at https://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Cass...2013_3978.html

One suggestion is to remove the current cassette, then take your wheel to the LBS and ask them if they can fit an 11 speed cassette on with room to properly engage the lockring. That way there wont be any doubt in your mind.

noglider 

This conversion could incur a lot of cost, and the benefits would be quite small. I don't recommend it.

jimbrooks

I'm coming to the same conclusion after reading the comments and giving it more thought. I suspect, too, after having taken the bike out for a short spin after starting the thread, that 8-speed will do just fine for its eventual purpose. I think I was just getting excited about the project. I agree regarding the cost, especially if it would entail the additional outlay for another wheelset. Thanks, everyone!