Dude I work in a bike shop & you're more helpful than half the guys there. I love this stuff and love building up old bikes. Some of the snobs there ask what I'm doing with these "old $hity bikes". I think some of them have lost the joy of riding and working on bikes and get to caught up in the latest parts and lightest weight. Even with my discount I still prefer to ride an old bike I fixed up & made my own rather than shave a couple minutes off my strava time! _Thanks!_
@Phlizz2 жыл бұрын
I work at a shop too. Just recently building up my 2022 Meta TR and a 1993 Rocky Mountain Hammer (all hacked out): I enjoyed the retro build much more 💚 building up a new frame with new modern parts is even a bit unnerving. If it’s anything but perfect it’s my fault. The old bike on the other hand means getting creative and it might even turn out better than it was brand new almost 30 years ago.
@garrettsmith82862 жыл бұрын
@@Phlizz Couldn't agree more! Glad to hear about the awesome builds. 👍🏼
@Lve2face5 ай бұрын
Mister Spindatt, thank you so very much! This answered so many questions about converting my old 26'' townie to a 1x drivetrain. You're a great teacher and good work with your editing.
@chrishomel95584 жыл бұрын
The bike nerdy stuff is my favorite. Especially on a Tinker Tuesday. Well done by the way. You managed to demystify that process well. I may even try it myself. Thanks.
@HoloScope2 жыл бұрын
I thought it'd be harder!
@ttiwehde4 жыл бұрын
Nice explanation, even at 4am , on chemotherapy, just a little fuzzy, I total get the 7 to 10 conversion.. You are now tied with Calvin and the blue men crew at Park tools for making it easy to jump in on this retro-modern-refresh-renovation. Thanks !
@shominister4 жыл бұрын
wish you the best!!
@guandasin30993 жыл бұрын
Wish you the best my friend! I hope all goes well with your treatment
@CGGarage3 жыл бұрын
How are you holding up
@anthonyharris4834 жыл бұрын
I just updated my 1997 Rocky Mountain Blizzard to 1x 10 speed with 48 tooth cassette using Microshift Advent X. No changes to the hub necessary because it works with my old shimano xt hub.
@qualm432 жыл бұрын
the idea of removing one cog & spacer to make fit a 7 speed body is simply brilliant! A simple way to breathe new life into an old ride.
@josef.contreras21304 жыл бұрын
Oh man cycling purists are throwing a fit with these conversions.
@NothingmanPT Жыл бұрын
Hi friend. I need a help.. where did you buy that hanger fork for the cantilever brakes? Many thanks.
@pokeypaul782 жыл бұрын
Hmmm, sorry Eric, apparently this doesn't always work. I replaced the 7 speed freehub body with the 8/9/10 and the bearing surface was 3mm further out. I'm not saying it never works, but didn't for me.
@georgehagstrom40222 жыл бұрын
This is incredibly helpful. I have a 1995 Rockhopper I was changing from 3x7 to 1x9 and I ran into this same problem. Seeing the video made me feel way more confident about going for the freehub swap.
@vpcogworks4 жыл бұрын
Can confirm that removing one sprocket and spacer from an 8 or more speed casette does work perfectly on an older 7sp Shimano freehub. I have my gravel-ish bike set up pretty much the same way. Just make sure to have correct cable tension so there are no phantom gears on the small cogs.
@garyonnen76344 жыл бұрын
This is the kind of information that helps a lot of your viewers, keep it up. Thanks
@beezer9464 жыл бұрын
This is exactly the video I was hoping for the moment you said “swap the free hub”
@dlirving14 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this series of videos on converting your Rockhopper. I’m still riding my ‘92 and have debated changing to a 1x and I have also considered changing other components. This video demystified changing out the freehub body in a way that I hadn’t found succinctly anywhere else while at the same time talking about the dropout spacing on this older bike. Again, thank you for covering all of that!
@jdillon83602 жыл бұрын
Cool! I didn't know that second option was possible (dropping one cog to make it fit the existing hub). Super!
@stuartpotter49232 жыл бұрын
So glad I found this again.... I knew I'd watched it a while ago and thought 'that'll be useful one day!' ... I just picked me up a 1993 GT with original 3x6 LX/XT group and keen to swap it out for a 1x10 (or 1 x 9 out of 10) setup. Thanks for general awesomeness, as always.
@nickcampbell66584 жыл бұрын
Literally answered all the questions I’ve been wanting to ask!
@tomatostakefabrik94294 жыл бұрын
Sweet! I want to go do it, just to do it now. Wish I didn't have to work. 26" isn't dead!!!
@Jason-qz2yr4 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you're demystifying how stuff works with your hacks. I've tried to explain such things to 'master mechanics' and they looked at me with their grand wisdom and called me blasphemous.
@TheRokko664 жыл бұрын
use a magnet to pull the ball bearings out
@jeremyhook18184 жыл бұрын
Great videos. I've done something similar during lockdown. Now running 11 speed 11-32 using standard rear mech reusing old trek madone aluminium frame. Claiming KOMs so I've cancelled buying the new carbon Trek Domane for a couple of years. Thanks again
@mxims972 жыл бұрын
The freehub body swap worked for me on a Deore LX M560 hub. I bought a new freehub body on Amazon for $20 (Deore FH-M525-A) that has the same splined interface. Aside from the steps you listed, all I had to do was remove a 2mm spacer on the drive side after the swap. This was on my 1993 Stumpjumper with 135mm spacing. In this time period, they were selling the same frames with both 7 and 8 speed cassettes, so the "coincidental" 2mm spacer on the DS of my bike was probably not there by chance. Next up is to braze on a rear disc brake tab and do a 650B wheel swap!
@johnnydoe664 жыл бұрын
This is good to know, because I am planning on converting my Wife's old Marin 26er to a gravel bike for myself in the future.....Only I plan on using bar end shifters.
@Ming3r4 жыл бұрын
I had to relive my Oval 327 freehub a while back because it sounded like marbles. God that thing needed a 12mm Allen to get off, but I'm loving regreasing hubs and bearings now 😂 If you plan on relubing that tiagra hub, flushing with paint thinner and lubing with STP worked wonders
@bsdooby4 жыл бұрын
Can't wait to go on with my own 26" bike conversion. A bit unfortunate that my bike shop now does the rear gear conversion for me (200$) to fit an 11 speed cassette. If I only knew that it isn't that complicated...
@Spindatt4 жыл бұрын
Well it depends on what your wheel is! Non shimano hubs can be trickier to find freehub bodies for
@bsdooby4 жыл бұрын
@@Spindatt As a long time Shimano user, I switched to Sram for this build (also because of you ;)). Wheel will get a new Shimano hub to accommodate the Sram cassette. The original drivetrain/cassette was Shimano. Maybe it would have fit the new one...
@kristiandawe854 жыл бұрын
I love the neardy by talk, its how we learn. I really like your bike, and very cool hack on the cassette of your friends bike, I honestly never thought of just taking a gear out of a cassette like that, but now I will never forget it and probably use on some future build I might do.
@sicsempertyrannis90244 жыл бұрын
Let's spin! I built a custom Felt F75 1x10 with flats. She's quick!
@nickwinn7812 Жыл бұрын
Super informative and concise. You have given me all of the information i need to do this . Thanks!
@YoungDoug134 жыл бұрын
Loca bike shop looked at me sideways when I asked them to do this.... guess I'll have to make it happen! Thanks!
@stijnw86264 жыл бұрын
Another great video! Thanks Eric for keeping us inspired!!! 🙌
@danielzwettler9294 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, just wrapping up a 7 to 9 speed conversion on my Schwinn Crosspoint! Wish I had seen this a few days ago, just because Sheldon Brown says it can work doesn't always mean I have 100% confidence.
@TaylorGonz4 жыл бұрын
Super helpful! My project bike is a 90’s Marin full rigid that’s a 3x7 but I luckily I confirmed with my bike shop the other day, it already has an 8 speed free hub body. This will be helpful for any future conversions though!
@bongmayor48283 жыл бұрын
that Spec Rockhopper is pretty rad!
@kevinjfeeney774 жыл бұрын
I love these old 26er mtb drop bar conversions.... I have a 1993 nishiki Pueblo with cowbell 2s... (cowchippers en route)... 3x7 MicroNEW brifters. Had to swap Altus FD for an old roadie one I had lying around but it works fine. Thinking of going with Microshift Advent or Advent X.. (approx costs $43 for that one extra gear)... I also inherited an old GT hardtail....model unknown as the previous owner hand painted the frame... lmao... Going for same set up. 3x7.... (probably take the MicroNEW brifters off the Nishiki when I go 1x and use on the GT). I will be using friction bar end shifters first. Trying to keep costs down until I'm able to get the 1x set up completed on the Pueblo. That being said, what's y'all thoughts on the Microshift Advent (9 and 10 speed)? (I am actually quite happy with the MicroNEW brifters too. For the price they are awesome)
@artad64204 жыл бұрын
i've been researching hacks like this and couldn't find anything until this vid. great information and detail! now i can look into upgrading my 3x8 setup to a 1x10. thumbs up!!!!
@roamingwolfpack4 жыл бұрын
This is the video I was needing, and at the right time. A hub swap it will be, I already did the remove one gear trick and I want it back! Thank you so much!
@johnhanley99464 жыл бұрын
I like my 3×7 drivetrain! If I had a Uniglide freehub body I would convert it to a new one though...
@robertgarcia37484 жыл бұрын
Love this...working on a bike myself that is actually a looker. struggling to decide on the drive train easiest and less money, or should i throw some money at it as it will look nice. Steel 26 inch frame, slapped on 700c wheels and slapped on gravel king brownwall 35c, had to make brakes v brakes with some chinese adapters. I've sold some parts laying around to help finance my project...so far I've spent 150 out of pocket. If it rides like i think it will, i might pimp it out with time. Looks like a regular classic road bike. 1995 fisher aquila in dark forest green, brown letters...gonna add brown bar tape and brown brooks saddle in the future. Maybe a gold kmc chain.
@christimson62333 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for going over all of this. Exactly what I needed to see as I'm looking for a an older mountain bike to convert. I like both methods, but learning how to swap the freehub and knowing how to do that seems worth the stress if I'm going to keep tinkering with bikes.
@EcBuddy123 Жыл бұрын
Ugh I have your bikes twin and want to build it out like yours and use it. Back in my h.s. days I made it into a 700c hybrid bike. It was a quick bike
@pedalingpastor4 жыл бұрын
That visual was superb. Maybe you are DKlein’s brother.
@marchanselman11 ай бұрын
It would be really helpful to see you drop a cog and spacer off the 10x. At this point, I'm more familiar with swapping the freehub body!
@weeringjohnny4 жыл бұрын
I've messed with cassettes like this before. Obviously if you take one cog out you will have quite a big gap between the two adjacent gears, which might irritate you, especially on the road. When out riding I always find myself looking for the very cog I have removed Also, some cassettes have the first 4 or 5 low-range cogs locked together on a carrier so you'll be forced to remove a cog from the remaining high gear, smaller cogs, where you might be more loathe to do it. Not a reason to not go ahead but maybe worth noting.
@mutos824 жыл бұрын
IMO one of the best (the most useful) of your video which you've made ever.
@andyamos85944 жыл бұрын
Brilliant! And there was I thinking it would need a whole new hub and lace to the rim... got me eager to try it out!
@tes_roues4 жыл бұрын
Can'y wait to do this on my '94 Rockhopper Comp, i really expected it to be more complicated!
@TheProjectsimpson4 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! Really liked your explanation of the 2 freehub bodys.
@robertocavalcanti77673 жыл бұрын
Really great explanation
@hobo_overland3 жыл бұрын
I'm in the process of doing a similar conversion, but using a slightly newer disc brake frame (but still a 26er with 3x9), and fitting 650b wheels with narrow tyres. It has riser drop bars on it as well, I'll be upsetting everyone with this build.
@a.sarmiento51163 жыл бұрын
Dude just what I almost did. Had a 10 speed 11x46 cogs but the hub was for a 7speed. Had to change it for a hub that can accommodate 10 speed. Once installed the chain would not go to the biggest cog even after adjusting the limiting screw to the max. So removed one cog used it as a spacer to push the cog outside so now I can use the biggest cog 46 with a 39 chainring. Easy on the uphill. Have not changed to a dropbar cause still trying to find the height cause when using a flat, hand gets numb.
@legrouch43044 жыл бұрын
Finally! Been hanging for this video! Thanks dude!
@WalkerBikes4 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! Will be doing this soon with an old Norco frame
@recyclespinning98394 жыл бұрын
These old school mountain bikes with good chromoly frames make excellent : touring bike, commuters ,, trail bike. I have an old Schwinn Paramount mountain bike PDG 40 made in Japan and I like that way better than my road racing bike,, no toe overlap,, rear racks,, rides comfortable, awesome bike. They are under tube radar and cheap . The high end ones have Shimane Deore and love the old school thumbshifter. The first brifters.
@diggiediggz4 жыл бұрын
Hahahahahaha I was thinking of doing this for my father in law!!! Word for word was I was questioning. Subscribed!!
@h0tr0d313374 жыл бұрын
Lucky duck! I had to dish the wheel and remove a 2mm spacer from my '93 rockhopper freehub swap.
@axelthorpe4 жыл бұрын
Love it! Another great video! One question; are both forks 1-1/8"? Or 1" threadless? I have a cheapo MTB with threaded 1" I want to convert to threadless. Waiting for a video on that! 😎
@gregorahler4 жыл бұрын
DAMN FINE VIDEO SIR! Saving this for a rainy day
@LTPottenger4 жыл бұрын
Wow, had no idea you could do this so easily!
@ComandanteNissaro Жыл бұрын
I love this kind of stuff.
@bb10393 жыл бұрын
nicely done
@GeoffMcLelland4 жыл бұрын
Instructional, teaching video!? I know you don't like to do these but you did a great job explaining the why's and how's.
@cospinan4 жыл бұрын
Hi, this is a great video... I feel identified. I did also my bike... well... it is not too old frame. But it is 26. I have durace 10 speed shifters with a crank mtb slx triple but I removed the very small ring so it works like double. The FD is xt 9 speed. Cassette is sram 10 speed and a mtb slx 9 speed RD. No issue with the free body. I installed mechanical disc brakes and I have for a front suspension... I like to sometimes go for a bumpy exploring rides. For the suspension I had to replece the crown on the fork... it was a bit difficult.
@kimkrimson4 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! Could you also take out 1 cog on an 11 Speed cassette to get 10 speed? Cheers
@gitarduden3 жыл бұрын
I have done this on my regular bike, and it works. LBS didn't have any 11speed wheels, so I had to take out a cog and a spacer on my cassette. I do deliveries on this bike all week long, and I've been riding that setup for 4 months now.
@johnmills8373 жыл бұрын
Your old 7 speed FH is a HG free hub. Uniglide was not made in 7 speed. HG was available in 6 speed
@TheWoodyworker4 жыл бұрын
Exactly what I needed today. Thanx.
@aliastagami23462 жыл бұрын
You and I have very similar tastes in bikes and projects.
@stephensnyder1510 Жыл бұрын
I'm in the process of this for the first time converting an Cannondale cad1 and getting ready to go get the cassette so this definitely helped. Only thing I don't have experience with is derailleur, would you have to run an 11 speed or can it be done buying a 10 speed group set to accomplish the same result without having to lock out the last gear? I get it in theory, but haven't tackled any of this before so don't know that process.. keep it up, always entertaining and informative.
@Spaeckli3 жыл бұрын
Where did you get your FH body? i got a fh-mc30 and shimano stx
@obsequious_obsolescence3 жыл бұрын
So heads up i did the second method, with a 9 speed and got ghost shifts and dead shifts all over. Played around with the cable tension, stops, for a week and could never dial out the weirdness. Ive done this on other bikes with success
@hgh964 жыл бұрын
wow that 10 speed spaced 9 speed is genius!
@theprojectproject013 жыл бұрын
9 of 10 on 7 or 8 is pretty common. It's how you make a Shimergo setup play nice. Though, honestly, I prefer the shift feeling of Uniglide to Hyperglide. Just personal preference.
@jhornett4 жыл бұрын
This was great. I'm looking at doing this soon!
@ROBinJVILLE4 жыл бұрын
i learned stuff in this video, its been a long time thanks
@jlmagandelcerro24154 жыл бұрын
So you're finally making a tutorial! I'm about to cry...not exactly sure why
@bosanderspublictheology3 жыл бұрын
So good.Thank you.
@oftankoftan4 жыл бұрын
I don't understand. RJ The bike guy upgraded from 7 to 10 speed and just switched cassettes.
@thecyclopath88454 жыл бұрын
Some old 7-speed wheels were actually designed to fit 8-speed freehubs. But to use up old parts and save money, they equipped these wheels with a 7-speed freehub and a spacer to take up the extra room. If you remove the spacer behind such an old 7-speed feeehub, an 8-speed freehub will fit.
@gregclark48704 жыл бұрын
Did you encounter chain angle alignment issues with the rear cassette? When peddling backwards the chain can fall off the largest rear cassette rings because of poor chain angle alignment? Did you have to install a different bottom bracket to bring the drive crank arm in closer to correct the chain angle ? Did you check the chain angle? I recently did a similar conversion on my vintage specialized crossroad cruz and had issues with this.
@beezer9464 жыл бұрын
Greg Clark The trick is to get the chainring as close as possible to the frame. There is a chance the issue could be where you placed the chainring. The chain alignment won’t change with a different cassette, regardless of speeds.
@yousefgeorge30604 жыл бұрын
This is so helpful thank you so much!
@leinie23174 жыл бұрын
I wonder what would happen if you submit the rockhopper build to the GCN show lol
@djbiggz79604 жыл бұрын
Part list please
@andrewschneider57223 жыл бұрын
@spindatt, what model freehub did you use for the rockhopper?
@richardking36814 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Thanks.
@kylesmith8534 жыл бұрын
Kinda freaky how your video today focused on the freehub body while I released one that also focused on my misbehaving freehub body 🤣🤣
@Spindatt4 жыл бұрын
Great minds!
@jbaillie4 жыл бұрын
If your starting point is an old 3x8 mtb rather than 3x7 then you can swap a 10 speed cassette in without any tinkering... I think?
@kimkrimson4 жыл бұрын
Indeed
@thecyclopath88454 жыл бұрын
Correctamundo
@Spindatt4 жыл бұрын
Also agree with this
@jptrainor11 ай бұрын
Buy a bag of 1/4 inch (3/16 for rear) ball bearings and don't worry losing bearings because you should replace them anyways.... and ...... realistically, you're going to loose ball bearings.
@donaldkavanaugh7382 Жыл бұрын
2000 Specialized Hardrock, rear drop out between 126 to 130mm, what's yours and why not just put a nine speed cassette on it.
@Phlizz2 жыл бұрын
Brilliant!!!
@michaeltillman8863 жыл бұрын
Well. You made two gravels. That's great. This is all gravel bikes are.
@BradWadeNL4 жыл бұрын
Awesome! I'm glad I learned something!
@steffanoswald7917 Жыл бұрын
Ah ha!! Great video!! Now I know why I subscribed
@aybee694 жыл бұрын
This just made my day!
@CL-dh2mf4 жыл бұрын
Hi Eric, I try to build a bike for my sister's birthday in the same fashion as you did here. One question: What exact 10speed Shimano cassettes can you for the 7speed freewheel hack? Would be so glad to hear from you! Greetings from Germany! ✌
@Londinius Жыл бұрын
Best video on this topic so far. Thank you! So if I put a 10-speed cassette (removing 1 cog) on my 7-speed hub, do still have to use a 10-speed derailleur and shifter or can I just use a 9-speed derailleur/shifter?
@froggerc6253 жыл бұрын
My 1992 Cinder Cone 3x7 has a Suntour XC rear hub, not even sure it can take a Shimano style splined cassette :(. Might need to just bite the bullet and find a deal on a wheel with a Shimano hub.
@joskes1234 жыл бұрын
great vid dude !
@damonvanopdorp29054 жыл бұрын
Super helpful!
@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind2 жыл бұрын
I literally just lost a bearing on a lower head set cup. now i have to hunt down one lil tiny bearing,lol. All my fault
@jackwilson86513 жыл бұрын
So, the new 10 speed free hub will fit on the axel of the 7 speed without any other changes?
@simplelife68274 жыл бұрын
Could you run this back BUT with a disk brake conversion as well? Tinker that😁
@MeesJager4 жыл бұрын
Possibly dumb question, but I need to ask; why put a 10 speed on which effectively becomes a 9 speed rather than putting on a 9 speed to begin with? Was it that you had the 10 speed lying around or am I missing something like “a 10 speed without a cog and spacer is somehow less wide than a 9 speed”. Thanks if anyone could answer this for me :)
@Spindatt4 жыл бұрын
Nope, the overall width of a 10 speed and 9 speed cassette are “essentially” the same. A 9 speed chain is wider than a 10 speed chain. You’d need to take a cog out of a 9 speed or 8 speed cassette to fit as well!
@songsandverses Жыл бұрын
In the last hack for removing one cog and spacer from the 10 speed, on which speed hub are those sprockets put on? Is it a 7 speed or it doesn't matter? Also, can you put any free hub body on any freehub wheel?
@tomrussell78994 жыл бұрын
My old MB that I would want to upgrade has a freewheel, not a freehub, so rather than buy or build new wheels, I am just watching for a slightly newer, freehub equipped, bike, and discarding the old MB.