Shifter replacement on Hybrid, upgrade to 8 speed?
10-17-18, 07:34 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Shifter replacement on Hybrid, upgrade to 8 speed?
I am thinking of replacing my Shimano Easyfire shifter/brake combo as I do not like them. I am looking to go to Rapidfire shifters like I have on my mountain bike as I prefer the thumb/finger shifter locations better. The bike is a Diamondback Insight 1 7 speed with a freewheel.
Shimano Easyfire
Shimano Rapidfire
Am wondering if I am going to replace the shifter about upgrading to 8 speed while I am at it. I know 8 speed freewheels are available so am wondering if I can just replace the shifters and the freewheel and readjust the derailleur? The rear wheel spacing is 135mm. Thoughts?
Shimano Easyfire
Shimano Rapidfire
Am wondering if I am going to replace the shifter about upgrading to 8 speed while I am at it. I know 8 speed freewheels are available so am wondering if I can just replace the shifters and the freewheel and readjust the derailleur? The rear wheel spacing is 135mm. Thoughts?
10-17-18, 07:57 AM
#2
Senior Member
Are you sure you are dealing with a simple freewheel swap? Could it be a cassette?
10-17-18, 08:12 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yes it is a freewheel. Per specs online,Rear CogsShimano Freewheel, 7-speed: 14-28
Probably will think about changing to 34 max tooth on the rear as well. Wish it was a rear cassette.
Probably will think about changing to 34 max tooth on the rear as well. Wish it was a rear cassette.
10-17-18, 05:24 PM
#4
Senior Member
Then yes, all you have to do is replace the 7 with an 8 speed freewheel as well as the shifters. Adjust the rear dr too. When you get a chance measure the height of the 8 speed FW to see if there is a difference with the 7.
10-18-18, 01:51 AM
#5
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I am thinking of replacing my Shimano Easyfire shifter/brake combo as I do not like them. I am looking to go to Rapidfire shifters like I have on my mountain bike as I prefer the thumb/finger shifter locations better. The bike is a Diamondback Insight 1 7 speed with a freewheel.
Shimano Easyfire
Shimano Rapidfire
Am wondering if I am going to replace the shifter about upgrading to 8 speed while I am at it. I know 8 speed freewheels are available so am wondering if I can just replace the shifters and the freewheel and readjust the derailleur? The rear wheel spacing is 135mm. Thoughts?
Shimano Easyfire
Shimano Rapidfire
Am wondering if I am going to replace the shifter about upgrading to 8 speed while I am at it. I know 8 speed freewheels are available so am wondering if I can just replace the shifters and the freewheel and readjust the derailleur? The rear wheel spacing is 135mm. Thoughts?
Edit: You will need new brake levers as well. At this point, new housing and cables will be a good idea.
Last edited by DorkDisk; 10-18-18 at 04:19 AM.
10-18-18, 05:23 AM
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Not sure if you need to redish your wheel going from 7 to 8 speed. Simpler to just buy an 8/9/10 speed freehub wheel.
10-18-18, 10:24 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
If I were to upgrade to a 9 speed, pretty much the entire groupset would need to be replaced along with a rear wheel to use a cassette correct? I am guessing it would be cheaper to buy a rear wheel vs. buying a new hub and having it replace the existing hub?
10-18-18, 05:57 PM
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Regardless of whether you go 8 or 9, the list of parts is the same. The $ delta is not much, which is why going 9 is a good option. You may get away with reusing the chain if you go 8 but chains are a consumable anyway. A cassette wheel is a good option and I would sink as much money into it as I could. Rebuilding a low end rim is a waste of time and $ IMO.
10-19-18, 05:12 AM
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Yes, with a freewheel, you have few options without replacing other parts. 8 speed freewheels are uncommon and I don't think 9 speed freewheels ever existed. If you want to use 8 speed or higher, you'll really need to swap the rear wheel to one with a freehub. If you go this route, you'll probably find 8/9/10 speed freehubs most common (these three "speeds" all use the same freehub width). Your rear hub spacing is probably 135mm, and that supports 8/9/10 speed as well. You most likely will NOT need a new derailer if going to 8 or 9 speed, but you certainly will need new shifters (and brake levers). You can get combined Rapidfire levers, or you can buy separate brake and shift levers. I personally prefer them to be separate, so I can change the angle of them independently.
If you want to stay with a freewheel for now, I'd recommend the Shimano MF-TZ31 14-34 freewheel if you want that 34 tooth large cog. The Shimano SL-M310 Rapidfire shifters are affordable and work well. You can get these in 3x7 and 3x8. And then any V-brake lever should work. These are pretty inexpensive (you can often find them for $10-15/pair). That would be a total cost of about $60 ($15 for the freewheel, $15 for the brake levers, and $30 for the shift levers).
If you want to stay with a freewheel for now, I'd recommend the Shimano MF-TZ31 14-34 freewheel if you want that 34 tooth large cog. The Shimano SL-M310 Rapidfire shifters are affordable and work well. You can get these in 3x7 and 3x8. And then any V-brake lever should work. These are pretty inexpensive (you can often find them for $10-15/pair). That would be a total cost of about $60 ($15 for the freewheel, $15 for the brake levers, and $30 for the shift levers).
10-19-18, 05:44 AM
#10
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You can get 9sp and even 10sp freewheels.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...?category=1665
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...?category=1665
10-20-18, 06:49 AM
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Regarding the rear wheel; re-dishing is not required, you do not need a freehub to go 8,9, or 10 speeds, and 8 and 9 sp freewheels are easy to acquire.
One option is that you buy separate brake levers, and 8 speed shifters and nothing else now (cables+housing?) When your chain gets old, you can swap out the freewheel and chain to 8 sp.
One option is that you buy separate brake levers, and 8 speed shifters and nothing else now (cables+housing?) When your chain gets old, you can swap out the freewheel and chain to 8 sp.
10-20-18, 09:12 PM
#12
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Going to a 9 speed even with a 9speed freewheel would one not still need to change the crankset to a 9 speed as well? Are not the Chain's and teeth on a crankset narrower?
10-22-18, 04:36 AM
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No, cranksets are fairly agnostic. The chain is narrower on the outside plate, and a 9 speed chain will fit. This was a very common thing to do when 9 speed came out, BITD the change from 7 to 8 and then 9 came about fairly quickly and many people used high end 7 sp parts through the early 9 sp years. I have personally done this, and continue to mix and match 10/11 sp cranksets with 7,8, and 9 speed systems.
