Shimano 600 8 speed rear hub - Possible to swap out hub body for 7 speed?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Shimano 600 8 speed rear hub - Possible to swap out hub body for 7 speed?
As the title states, I have an older Shimano 600 tri color 8 speed rear hub. I have 7 speed group laying around and don't want to mess with spacers too much. Would it be possible to swap out the current 8 speed hub body for a 7 speed hub body (also Shimano) that I have laying around from that era?
Thanks so much.
Thanks so much.
#2
Really Old Senior Member
It's one 4.5mm spacer, so that's not a big deal.
A 7 speed "should" swap.
If your current FH is removable with a 10mm hex wrench......
You'll want to make up the difference in spacing between the 2 FH bodies by adding an equal amount to the NDS. Somewhere around 3-4mm.
Dish the wheel to center. This is EASILY done. Just tighten the NDS spokes evenly until you get it. probably less than 1 turn, so go in smaller steps.
This step results in a more symmetrical, stronger wheel.
A 7 speed "should" swap.
If your current FH is removable with a 10mm hex wrench......
You'll want to make up the difference in spacing between the 2 FH bodies by adding an equal amount to the NDS. Somewhere around 3-4mm.
Dish the wheel to center. This is EASILY done. Just tighten the NDS spokes evenly until you get it. probably less than 1 turn, so go in smaller steps.
This step results in a more symmetrical, stronger wheel.
#3
Constant tinkerer
It's a LOT easier to just toss a spacer on before installing the cassette. What kind of shifters do you have? If they are downtube, you can run a 7-speed cassette "plus one" extra cog in the back. The shifter will accommodate this if you set the derailer correctly.
With that said, if you want a slightly stronger rear wheel, it's easy to swap bodies. It's best if you have the right-side cone/washer/locknut that goes with the body because they're not all the same and might not play well if you try to mix and match.
With that said, if you want a slightly stronger rear wheel, it's easy to swap bodies. It's best if you have the right-side cone/washer/locknut that goes with the body because they're not all the same and might not play well if you try to mix and match.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Got it. thank you for the responses. I have down tube 7 speed shifters (older Shimano ones). The hub isn't laced to a wheel, so I don't think i have to worry about dishing the wheel properly after a swap.
Probably easier just throwing a spacer on OR running an 8 speed cassette and seeing if the 7 speed downtube shifter can work with this... below is a pic of the downtube shifters I have. Also the derailleur. https://imgur.com/a/9grA0UQ
TY.
Probably easier just throwing a spacer on OR running an 8 speed cassette and seeing if the 7 speed downtube shifter can work with this... below is a pic of the downtube shifters I have. Also the derailleur. https://imgur.com/a/9grA0UQ
TY.
#5
Constant tinkerer
I have down tube 7 speed shifters (older Shimano ones). The hub isn't laced to a wheel, so I don't think i have to worry about dishing the wheel properly after a swap.
Probably easier just throwing a spacer on OR running an 8 speed cassette and seeing if the 7 speed downtube shifter can work with this...
Probably easier just throwing a spacer on OR running an 8 speed cassette and seeing if the 7 speed downtube shifter can work with this...
An 8-speed cassette may work ok but the spacing is slightly different and the indexing might run rough at the ends of the cassette. If you want perfect shifting, just get a 7-speed cassette and add an extra cog at the back. Or space an 8-speed cassette with 7-speed spacers. It's best to measure the spacers and make sure the extra thickness is coming from them and not the cogs. But mixing Shimano/Shimano is usually safe.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Appreciate the input. Noted and will probably stick with an 8 speed and maybe find some new shifters which shouldn't be too hard.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#7
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Just to back up a bit. Does your 8 speed hub fit your bike? Going from 7 speed to 8 speed requires a dropout width of 130mm. Depending on the bike, you can probably spread the frame (rear triangle). This typically not a big deal.
Bit all honesty, messing with $5 4.5mm spacer is going to so much easier than messing with finding 8 speed downtube shifters. Sunrace are pure junk, for $35 you can try Microshift, $50+ will get you a Shimano, and $100 will get you a set of tri-color shifters.
It’s your call.
John
Bit all honesty, messing with $5 4.5mm spacer is going to so much easier than messing with finding 8 speed downtube shifters. Sunrace are pure junk, for $35 you can try Microshift, $50+ will get you a Shimano, and $100 will get you a set of tri-color shifters.
It’s your call.
John
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#8
Constant tinkerer
8-speed downtube shifters are somewhat rare but still find-able. By the time 8-speed came around most bikes were switching to STI (brifters.)
One of the other workarounds is probably easier, but do what you wish.
One of the other workarounds is probably easier, but do what you wish.
#9
Really Old Senior Member
Shifters & cassette are only slightly more than 8 speed.
You will need a 9 speed chain.
#10
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If it was my bike, and I had a 7-speed free hub body, and I wanted to keep the bike 7-speed for any reason, I'd swap out the free hub bodies and readjust the axle spacers and dish. It just looks more elegant.
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