Well, I changed over the cassette and it went quite painlessly. I
haven't yet had a chance to go by the LBS, so no chain yet. The STX
derailleur has plenty of reach it would seem. I had to adjust the H
screw so it lined up with the 11t gear, but otherwise the conversion was
flawless.

I meant freehub body in my earlier post, but somehow forgot the word.

Also, in my last post, I meant, I had an extra rear shifter that I
hadn't installed. I didn't want to install a 9 speed shifter on a 7
speed cassette because of the difference in spacing. Now, I have a 9
speed shifter installed with 8 gears and the derailleur adjustment
screws limiting the shifter.

Thanks for your help,
Brad "Can't wait to use 32t on uphill" Kattelmann

Sheldon Brown wrote:

Brad Kattelmann wrote:

I happened to acquire a Shimano LX 9 speed cassette and have gotten
the upgrade bug for my 1998 Trek 6000 mountain bike.

Here's the current rear setup on my bike:
7 speed cassette on 7 speed Freehub
Shimano Parralax hub
STX rear derailleur
7 speed shifter (Alivio or Acera, I think)

Now, as I see it, there's two options for me:

1) I can do the "8 of 9 on 7" upgrade talked about at Sheldon Brown's
site. This would require me to swap out my current shifter and
cassette, however, I could keep my freehub and avoid the redishing.
For an explanation, see http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#up7

2) My other option is to replace the Freehub and put all of the 9
speed cassette on. This would require me to purchase a Freehub at least,


No, you don't need a new Freehub, just the Freehub _body_, about a $20
part.

and

redish the wheel. I am wondering if my STX derailleur will have
enough reach for the 32T of the new cassette.


Sure.


Either situation is going to require me to buy a new chain, but the
less I have to purchase, the happier my wife will be. I already have
the rear shifter, as my front shifter broke last year and the only
shifters I could find in a pinch were new LX shifters.


That's confusing, 'cause you say up above that you've got a 7-speed
shifter.

What are your suggestions and thought on these two options?
Have many folks tried the "8 of 9 on 7," and are they happy with it?


Either of these will involve buying a 9-speed chain, so the only
difference is the Freehub body.

If money is tight, just go for option 1 in the short term, then buy the
new body when finances permit.

Sheldon "One Step At A Time" Brown
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