Replacing 7 speed freehub body with 8, 9, 10, 11s freehub. 3x7 to 2x9 or 1x11 drivetrain upgrade.

If you want to upgrade your bicycle with a more modern drivetrain, like 2x9, 1x10 or 1x11, there is a chance, that you won't have to replace the rear wheel or the hub itself. In some cases replacing a Shimano 7 speed freehub body to 11 speed will be a quick solution. You might need to use a longer axle too.
The tool you'll need:
cone wrenches tidd.ly/3c7Wr6A
10 mm Allen key tidd.ly/3Hiv341
pretty good toolkits (optional) tidd.ly/3CiX2Nq
0:00 two wheels
0:18 our task
0:37 removing the axle
2:15 freehub body removal
3:07 all parts for 7s
4:02 all parts for 9s
4:19 installing new freehub
4:55 all measurements
6:15 QUESTION

[@drmoynihan]

Thank you so much for your excellent presentation. While I do not see myself doing this change, just watching you gives me a better understanding of my bikes' workings and less fear.of doing my own maintenance.

[@peterkakas3432]

If you do it this way than the wheel will not be centered in the frame! For total perfection You have to center the wheel with the new freehub body

[@leifcian4288]

Dish the wheel you mean?

[@hjwang4477]

Most bike frame will have enough clearance. You will be fine

[@mountaintruth1deeds533]

Yes, dished to center, half the difference of shift.

[@xXH4X0RZXx]

Made the swap first try! Thanks for the video. I needed to dish the wheel a little, but that was surprisingly easy too!

[@lilmeow_meow19]

i didn’t not know that you can upgrade the freebody, i’ve thought that you have to buy a whole new wheel bro. nice video!

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Love and best wishes , Danny . Happy new year . Your no - nonsense content is good . I have done freehub conversions like this last year .

[@macedk]

I was cleaning my chain and had it removed. I noticed that spinning the gears might need service. So you just showed me how to take it apart. You read my mind....wild :)

[@Jndjnd380]

Thank you much,I can learn more about all things specific technical points/scenarios about bike problems.

[@terryrainer2213]

Great video! This is a project that I've been putting off, but now I know what to do - thanks!

[@SangTTran10111213]

Thank you very much. I have been looking for a video instruction like yours. I will try it out by bringing life back from a 9 spds to 11 spds.

[@dutchynedland6435]

Hello Sickbiker, very well done! 😃, really helped me to get off the 7 speed body of my hub

[@paulmcanear825]

This really helped me. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@claudiogadda5344]

Very interesting video, thank you very much. The good side for dismount the axle is the left one (non drive side) 😉

[@salvatere]

You are super good teacher Thanks, from USA

[@frankstreitberger7949]

Perfect explanation. Thank you!

[@marct9942]

Very detailed. Good job!

[@marianocelentano2864]

Open the non drive side. : ) Thanks for the precious info. Good luck n all the best!!! : )

[@mattyfrommacc1554]

Nice one, I have an old set of lovely Mavic 231's with a 7-speed Deore LX hub, and having an 8-speed cassette would really open up the gears that I could use in a 2 x/ 1 x scenario, and I could carry on using my old 1989 Deore II thumbshifters (they have a "secret" 8th click)

[@adit-4305]

Cool...that's simple step. Now I know how to "fix" my bike...thanks bro...Peace from Indonesia

[@brianmaldonado3723]

That is very useful, very intelligent and pleasant. Ty.

[@bobp.dziadaszek5695]

Thank you Sir, this was very Knowledgeable.

[@addisonmartin3700]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@b-lopez394]

SickBiker, What I was taught when I was taking automotive classes before I became an Automotive Master technician is NEVER use a magnet for removing bearings. There is a possibility that the bearings will get magnetized and attract worn metal shavings. This will cause the bearings to self destruct.

[@makantahi3731]

good note

[@b-lopez394]

@@makantahi3731 Your user name translated in Filipino is funny. LOL

[@makantahi3731]

@@b-lopez394 yeah,i know,i took it because useless discusion with idiots that claim stupid teories about anything

[@nahuelmachado1185]

Hola, de cuánto es la llave alem para sacar el body?

[@gonzaley999]

@@nahuelmachado1185 eso depende puede ser 10mm 11mm o 12mm

[@mahmam3128]

I was wondering if i could replace the hub body, great video 👍

[@alexandrumihailescu2252]

One thing you should be mindfull of is freehub compatibility. Most shimano freehubs can be undone with a 10 mm Allen key but some require different tools and the splines will differ from model to model as well. Some different hub models will use the same amount of splines and mounting system but will require some good research before hand.

[@radiocontrolled9181]

My 7-speed Shimano freehub body slides out nicely. I just have to undo the cassette lock nut, remove the cassette and then slide the freehub body out on the shaft. Very easy to remove and clean/service/replace.

[@ergonzales]

Very helpful indeed. thanks very much!

[@giampsjorbat2247]

thx a lot for this, exactly what i needed !

[@giuliospinelli6958]

Non drive side. Great video. Thx!

[@stephenreynolds8432]

That was beautiful!

[@newboysgeneration6198]

Thanks so much...great tuto and the answer is the left side..non drive side

[@test40323]

just what I needed to know. a cup of coffee to thank you!

[@roseworld8091]

Great video!!

[@brunogagne8426]

Don't forget that when you do this kind of transformation the wheel is going to be off center due to the fact that the drive side is going to be longer and by this the non drive side shorter. Correct it by realign your wheel. 🤙

[@simonm1447]

You're right, it's half of the additional 3 mm off-center.

[@myogyi7714]

a

[@arbjful]

How is this done?

[@MarzNet256]

@@arbjful Slightly loosen all spokes on one side then tighten all the spokes on the other side the same amount (work in increments of 1/4 turn of spoke nipples). The rim will shift away from loosened spokes side to tightened spokes side, and should stay true.

[@Blueridgedog]

Good video. Though I never thought I would need more than seven in the back, I am upgrading to ten so I can go 1X for my greenway cruiser.

[@moayadsaeed]

really good video. thank you.

[@gator3-234]

Oh you just saved me money 💰! Thanks man.

[@martinromeo1006]

Great 👍 video my friend 👏 thank you 😊 very much

[@residentemalditoful]

I have a trek marlin 6 2021 model, and it did came with a 2x7 speed so I put a 12 speed and it did worked good, of course 12 speed shifter derailleur too .!

[@nigelnightmare4160]

NDS obviously, BUT after removing the 7speed axle you need to remove the drive side cone to swop it over to the longer 9-10-11 axle. You will have to re-dish the wheel to re-center it in the frame.

[@peterjv8748]

I know. I think this guy gives a-lot of bad advise. Or at least a-lot off incomplete advise. I mean, I can already think of tons of stuff wrong with this video and things he never even comes close to discussing to make this "project" even viable. Couple are the things you mentioned (longer axle, dishing.) And that's only the beginning. smh

[@serafar]

@@peterjv8748 hey man, i need help.. please if you know answer me back.. i am doing a 7speed shimano exage 126mm dropout rear wheel with freehub body upgrade to 10 speed shimano tiagra. i bought FH-m525a freebody that comes from deore rear hub and now my question is which cone i need so i can put the new part on my axle. do i need the whole right nut parts that come with the deore axle or i can complete this with my old exage right side nut parts. also i am planing to use my original axle bolt and plan to just put the wheel by litle bit of squeezing since it will most probably be 130mm after the whole replacing and locking is done?

[@peterjv8748]

@@serafar Several reasons I don't think it will work. Spacing, dishing would be a struggle even for experienced wheel builders. Is your frame steel? If so, I think you'd be better off getting a whole new wheel. One with 130mm O.L.D. spacing will be hard to find. So cold setting the frame to a 135mm rear dropouts is probably your best bet. 135mm hubs/wheels are plentiful and cheap.

[@serafar]

@@peterjv8748 yes it is steel frame and it goes streatching to 130mm no problem. I've read a lot on many forums that you can do 10 speed up. with 130mm hub rearangement from 126mm hub like my exage is. Ill try anyway before i decide if ill need to buy a new 130 or 135mm hub. Point is this road bike has all exage groupset so i plan to reuse the hubs and the crankset with the breaks to keep the retro flavor.

[@solarheat9016]

130mm QR hubs are inexpensive and widely available as they are the old road bike standard. 11 speed road and mountain (with included 1.65 mm cassette spacer) compatible. Go nuts!

[@mytravelboxmtb8226]

Very nice information bro 🚲

[@010-rush6]

great video again👍

[@BlueyChandler]

Great content, thanks.

[@leodirectvleo1703]

Really good presentation. I would like you finish the whole work though. But, you explained the process very well and could not be clear

[@makantahi3731]

i did it in 1996. from 6 to 8 gears, shimano sante, and i still have been driving it on road bike

[@titocholo]

Thank you very informative 👍 👏 😀 👌 😊

[@macscotsman51]

Well done 👍

[@DAZLIN6]

Great video thank you

[@kwokweng76]

this is really good video............thanks

[@aliakhtar5537]

Thank you so much🌷

[@odinb4792]

Thank you. Answer: Remove cone and spacers from the non-drive side!

[@radiocontrolled9181]

Nice useful video. I have just replaced my MTB 3x7 Shimano type freehub body (which had 3 pawls and one of them failed because the freehub body cracked where it sits) with a new similar 3x7 freehub body, but with 6 pawls. I was not sure that it would work but it went in perfectly and engages like a dream. I love how today's modern promotional media has managed to convince the people that going from 21 speeds to 18, 11 or 10 speeds is actually an 'upgrade'. LOL thank you but no thank you. I'll stick to my wider 21 gear range and will not downgrade to less gears.

[@valerioviti6630]

With 3x7 you dont have 21 speeds, you will only use 11 or 12 of them. So 1x12 is same but less weight 🙃

[@radiocontrolled9181]

@@valerioviti6630Actually with 21 speed 3x7 I have at least 15 usable gears.

[@tatti4199]

It is to be said that often 10-52 tooth cassettes have the same range as 21 speeds, i like 21 speeds and they do have a good amount of pros, like the quick downshifts but 12 speeds are lighter have less chain falling off type problems as well as a cleaner cockpit and less service needs, it really depends on what you prefer

[@bbouazza7053]

Denk wel dat helemaal goed 👍🌹

[@laverdadtriunfa]

hello, thank you for this video, i have a question can i use an 2x9 crankset on a 2x10 bike? i need to change the length of the crank arm and try to keep the budget low in case i need to go even shorter. I'm replacing a 172.5 for 170 mm.

[@soethan.1349]

Nice one. Thank 🙌 🔥

[@mcdescape798]

Thank you !

[@kangmi26]

OMG.. Easy to understand

[@mrbarranquilla54]

Wonderful video. Thanks a lot. Kwolege is the ley to suceed.

[@martinromeo1006]

Hi my friend thank you for this video

[@akissparaskevopoulos]

Very helpful thanx

[@josebazoti5655]

Parabéns! Top das galáxias!!!

[@Richy91]

The bolt that goes through the rear hub has snapped when trying to get the hub off, any tips to get it off now? I can turn one side but impossible for me to grip the other side! :(

[@gengen5583]

Good day, this is really a timely helpful video for me. Nicely done. I got question though if you don't mind. My 9 speed shimano freehub is not freewheel anymore that means I keep on pedaling forward without stopping. Any Idea or video how to fix this kind of problem and what are the tools needed? Thanks in advance. I hope you can put some video how to resolve this kind of bike problems. More power to your channel!

[@Bonyarms28]

Will the old fastening bolt work with the new hub body? I should adjust the cone on the drive side in order to compensate for the larger hub correct?

[@johnlucas452]

Just wondering what number or version of xt hub on your 8/10 are you using.I have a old Shimano 600 7 spd hub probably early to mid 90s that I would like to upgrade.Seeing a lot Shimano Xt HB-756 ,would this work?

[@hanyaoyap1826]

Nice jobs

[@user-cu6dp1sf1k]

Very nice ❤

[@joriz5869]

Question, I am getting a Giant Talon 4 and plan to upgrade the drivetrain to Deore 1 X 12 speed, so I need need to change the freehub body and axle right? how about the bottom bracket ? It has a cartridge BB.. thanks

[@dannyvv75]

The 8,9,10,11sp hub will also fit a 12sp sram nx cassette, if you got this fitted and want to switch Shimano for Sram

[@froglegs4910]

love 💞 your video 😍 !

[@pisangkontot7358]

Tq very much sir..

[@jamesconroy7030]

The rim is out of dish (off center) now.

[@oscalcmen]

did you measure how deep the lockring goes in to the freehub body (how many turns are needed to tigthen the lockring to 40Nm)? I did the same and with a 11 speed HG Deore cassette and a 34.9mm (a standard) freewheel but mine just need 1.5 turn to reach 40Nm, that I believe is not enough a longer lockring is needed. with a 135mm frame there are no issues about spacing.....

[@marco205]

can I take the hub and use a single speed without the spacers, trying to add a mtb wheel on a fixed bike frame, is it possible? thanks

[@jfs70ss]

No one has ever told me that I should worry about my balls getting magnetized...!!! LOL

[@margallanti7195]

Awesome.

[@jrestrme]

I speak spanish, but i undestood all. Thank you.

[@evgeniyp1976]

Can i remove freehub body from not spoked freehub ? Can i just put cassete and use chain whip + 10mm hex ? Or I must hold freehub itself ?

[@jeffreysantore7606]

Do you have to replace the axle with the longer one??? Also will you get a new mounting bolt with a new hub??

[@siegfriedkleinz3793]

echt klasse erklärt.

[@arndsan]

I got the Y31S98020 Freewheel Body Unit for the FH -TX505 (Schimano). 10mm Elankey don`t work. Do I need some other tools?

[@Sam-iz3jl]

Hi ,can you show how to service (re-Grease)the multi rings Shimano bottom bracket?

[@gustavosanchez9330]

Hi, how are you? I have and old Suntour XC Pro rear hub 7 speed. Do you if its posible to change the body for a Shimano for 7 speed too? Thanks!

[@victorpetrescu2551]

Mulțumim!

[@orebelo]

Great!!

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

6:20 , always the left side during this alteration to ensure chain clearance on the drive side .

[@chuchu00y]

hello to replace a Campagnolo 11sp freehub to Shimano 11sp is it possible? thanks I hope you can guide me

[@KOL0WASO]

Hi I am so Thank you. Is the same structure for a MicroSpline Body?

[@LegendEater]

really cool but how much do you charge for this kind of replacement ? isnt more interessant to buy a brand new wheel with actual tech ?

[@romnickpalana4585]

We have the same rearhub for my road bike.. My problem is the cup for the bearings i dont know how to remove it.

[@silvagc]

So, you also changed the axel, right? No issues with the dishing?

[@Vikram-kumar1]

Nice

[@vicentesaenz560]

Don't get why the different lengths in the axles. Isn't 135mm a standard rear end width? ¿How does the 8-9-10 speed hub have a longer axle? I plan on doing right the same but before I buy anything I should get why.

[@CrossFitProject]

Great teacher. Thank you!

[@coolride88]

Can you change the Formula DC-31, alloy, 6-bolt, 6/7/8-speed freewheel hub to a 1x11 freehub hub?

[@tutorialsepeda]

Good 👍😊👍

[@vivoslibertos]

I've done the opposite 8 to 7 body hubs many times when I still ride singlespeed since I destroyed them frequently LoL.

[@badumakatataka991]

Thanks from Russian mechanic :)

[@________2705]

I actually find it quite nice to not see the ubiquous Park Tools in the back... got a bit tired of the blue background )

[@sibekoloimo2792]

Balls!😁

[@elononoras1902]

it might be variating. but it's definitely 12mm HEX on the ones I have.

[@Offroader74]

Do you leave the 3 mm spacer out at the assembly?