Both of these old bikes have 10 speed cassettes now.

[@garrettsmith8286]

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!_

[@Phlizz]

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.

[@garrettsmith8286]

@@Phlizz Couldn't agree more! Glad to hear about the awesome builds. 👍🏼

[@ttiwehde]

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 !

[@shominister]

wish you the best!!

[@guandasin3099]

Wish you the best my friend! I hope all goes well with your treatment

[@CGGarage]

How are you holding up

[@Lve2face]

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.

[@chrishomel9558]

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.

[@HoloScope]

I thought it'd be harder!

[@georgehagstrom4022]

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.

[@garyonnen7634]

This is the kind of information that helps a lot of your viewers, keep it up. Thanks

[@qualm43]

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.

[@anthonyharris483]

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.

[@stuartpotter4923]

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.

[@dlirving1]

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!

[@jdillon8360]

Cool! I didn't know that second option was possible (dropping one cog to make it fit the existing hub). Super!

[@mxims97]

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!

[@vpcogworks]

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.

[@nickcampbell6658]

Literally answered all the questions I’ve been wanting to ask!

[@nickwinn7812]

Super informative and concise. You have given me all of the information i need to do this . Thanks!

[@pokeypaul78]

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.

[@beezer946]

This is exactly the video I was hoping for the moment you said “swap the free hub”

[@mutos82]

IMO one of the best (the most useful) of your video which you've made ever.

[@jeremyhook1818]

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

[@stijnw8626]

Another great video! Thanks Eric for keeping us inspired!!! 🙌

[@artad6420]

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!!!!

[@josef.contreras2130]

Oh man cycling purists are throwing a fit with these conversions.

[@NothingmanPT]

Hi friend. I need a help.. where did you buy that hanger fork for the cantilever brakes? Many thanks.

[@roamingwolfpack]

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!

[@songsandverses]

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?

[@andrewschneider5722]

@spindatt, what model freehub did you use for the rockhopper?

[@TaylorGonz]

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!

[@bsdooby]

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...

[@Spindatt]

Well it depends on what your wheel is! Non shimano hubs can be trickier to find freehub bodies for

[@bsdooby]

@@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...

[@Jason-qz2yr]

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.

[@danielzwettler929]

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.

[@TheProjectsimpson]

Awesome video! Really liked your explanation of the 2 freehub bodys.

[@tomatostakefabrik9429]

Sweet! I want to go do it, just to do it now. Wish I didn't have to work. 26" isn't dead!!!

[@christimson6233]

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.

[@sicsempertyrannis9024]

Let's spin! I built a custom Felt F75 1x10 with flats. She's quick!

[@Ming3r]

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

[@TheRokko66]

use a magnet to pull the ball bearings out

[@NothingmanPT]

Hi friend. I need a help.. where did you buy that hanger fork for the cantilever front brake? Many thanks.

[@Spaeckli]

Where did you get your FH body? i got a fh-mc30 and shimano stx

[@johnnydoe66]

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.

[@WalkerBikes]

Awesome video! Will be doing this soon with an old Norco frame

[@renehaitjema7841]

I have a 8 speed concorde american eagle mtb from the 90s. As I remember 8 speed freehubs are the same spacing as a 8, 9 and 10 speed spacing right?

[@legrouch4304]

Finally! Been hanging for this video! Thanks dude!

[@Londinius]

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?

[@gregclark4870]

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.

[@beezer946]

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.

[@robertgarcia3748]

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.

[@axelthorpe]

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! 😎

[@kevinjfeeney77]

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)

[@jackwilson8651]

So, the new 10 speed free hub will fit on the axel of the 7 speed without any other changes?

[@thisishowilearned]

Should I use the same size frame I would use for mountain biking or can I go a size or two bigger?

[@mikelcaluag]

Can you just install a 1x9 Setup instead of buying a 10 speed cassette and removing a cog? Also for the shifters couldn't I just get a 9 speed shifter so I dont have to lockout the last shift?

[@lepycelrau]

Nice presentation, any advice on freewheel hubs?

[@danl2294]

Why does the rockhopper gear cable run down the lefthand side of the down tube? Should it not run on the otherside?

[@gregorahler]

DAMN FINE VIDEO SIR! Saving this for a rainy day

[@stephensnyder1510]

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.

[@marchanselman]

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!

[@andyamos8594]

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!

[@YoungDoug13]

Loca bike shop looked at me sideways when I asked them to do this.... guess I'll have to make it happen! Thanks!

[@bongmayor4828]

that Spec Rockhopper is pretty rad!

[@EcBuddy123]

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

[@djbiggz7960]

Part list please

[@WETHEPEOPLESC]

What shifter and derailleur are you running on the Rocky?

[@kimkrimson]

Awesome video! Could you also take out 1 cog on an 11 Speed cassette to get 10 speed? Cheers

[@gitarduden]

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.

[@cospinan]

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.

[@johnhanley9946]

I like my 3×7 drivetrain! If I had a Uniglide freehub body I would convert it to a new one though...

[@kristiandawe85]

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.

[@BruceChastain]

from what I've seen most 7 speed mountain bikes have a freewheel hub, in that case will a 10 speed hub still work?

[@andrew_yeah]

no - it has to be a freehub made to take a 7-speed cassette, not a freewheel. if it's made for a freewheel, you're stick with using a 7-speed freewheel or replacing the hub (or entire wheel)

[@charliepi]

I ran into this a few years back on a similar conversion of an early 90s hybrid 3x7-speed to 2x10-speed. I ran it with just 9 out of 10 cogs for a while. I did not have the best of luck swapping freehub bodies. I don't know if it was just my choice of hub and freehub body that just didn't work out the same, or if I screwed something else up. I'll admit that at the time I was not nearly as knowledgeable as I am now with regards to drivetrain compatibility (I was a fixie goon). I had to mess with the axle spacing and dish, which led to way too much tension on the spokes on one side of the wheel. Eventually I just got a new wheel. On another note: How necessary is a clutch RD when running a 1x setup on these types of conversions? I've got some older 9 and 10 speed parts lying around that I'd love to make use of. Is a narrow/wide chainring usually enough to keep the chain from dropping?

[@kimkrimson]

In my experience you are fine with narrow wide only. Might come off on some nasty single track but on gravel and forest/farm roads never dropped a chain and already riding a couple of Mega meters. Cheers

[@Pythonassum]

usually a nw chainring is enough to keep the chain on, if you don't have a clutch rd. Looking at seth's old trek 4900, which had/has a raceface nw chainring and some random 7sp rd. To note, seth did have a chain guide, due to the shit he did with it. Not necessary if you aren't smacking your drivetrain into a wall every 2 seconds.

[@tes_roues]

Can'y wait to do this on my '94 Rockhopper Comp, i really expected it to be more complicated!

[@andrewschneider5722]

I'm having a problem with what I think is my freehub because I get a weird knocking noise when coasting or pedaling backwards. I want to do a 1x10 conversion like this in the winter, but in the meantime just want to service the hub and get the noise to stop. My question is instead of servicing the existing freehub and swapping in the winter, can I just put the new 8/9/10 speed freehub on when I already have it all apart and put the 7 speed cassette back on that freehub? That way when I go to convert it over as a winter project I only have to swap the cassette.

[@andrewschneider5722]

Assuming putting in spacers.

[@jhornett]

This was great. I'm looking at doing this soon!

[@bosanderspublictheology]

So good.Thank you.

[@johnhanley9946]

What did you use as a lockring for the Uniglide freehub body?

[@obsequious_obsolescence]

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

[@donaldkavanaugh7382]

2000 Specialized Hardrock, rear drop out between 126 to 130mm, what's yours and why not just put a nine speed cassette on it.

[@CL-dh2mf]

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! ✌

[@robertocavalcanti7767]

Really great explanation

[@diggiediggz]

Hahahahahaha I was thinking of doing this for my father in law!!! Word for word was I was questioning. Subscribed!!

[@TheWoodyworker]

Exactly what I needed today. Thanx.

[@pedalingpastor]

That visual was superb. Maybe you are DKlein’s brother.

[@TechTraction]

Love the video. Just what I was looking for, but I do have a question. When you swap the freehub is there an opportunity to also swap the ball bearings to a some sort of sealed bearing system? Thanks again.

[@necrodefecator]

I can answer this one: no you can't. Or maybe you can with some grinding inside the hub in order to change the shape in order to have the sealed bearing properly sit. But it is very sketchy. Loose bearings hub and sealed bearings hubs have differents shapes and it is not easily interchangeable. BTW loose bearings are inexpensive, easy to maintain/tune and last very long.

[@weeringjohnny]

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.

[@jimroriguez6269]

This may be a silly question but I actually wouldn't mind seeing how you reinstall the ball bearings if you did I'm not sure also if you replace with new ones or just clean them off thanks

[@coenng5787]

What tires are being rocked on the 26" Retro Gravelish monster cyclo bikes?

[@bigmar5084]

Great video thanks.... I have a question if you don't mind I have a 1 x 11 on my Marin mtb can I change the front chain ring to a larger one without changing anything else ? My reasoning is I want a higher top speed for when I'm rolling down the road . I'd appreciate any input you have

[@ROBinJVILLE]

i learned stuff in this video, its been a long time thanks

[@TheWeston36]

What is the chainring on the whistler? I am looking for a cheaper option than raceface.

[@Spindatt]

Raceface

[@hobo_overland]

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.sarmiento5116]

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.

[@MeesJager]

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 :)

[@Spindatt]

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!

[@kostyafedot551]

I didn't know 26 wheels MTB were with freehub, I have only seen freewheeled ones.

[@bb1039]

nicely done

[@BeardsandBogies]

What tires are those on the rock hopper?

[@sabergo1]

Do you rehab the bearings or replace them?

[@MarcS4R]

I have an 8 speed Hügi backwheel, would i be able to fit an 11speed on it ?

[@DougTheSnowMan]

What ya doin with that zipp TT set up?

[@markpensa7045]

Awesome video! I started working on my 26” specialized hardrock mtb conversion last week and ran into this problem. This helps quite a bit. Is it possible to swap the free hub body for an 11spd?

[@h0tr0d31337]

8-12 spd fit on the same 8 spd hg freehub body.

[@GeoffMcLelland]

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.

[@simplelife6827]

Could you run this back BUT with a disk brake conversion as well? Tinker that😁

[@ComandanteNissaro]

I love this kind of stuff.

[@LTPottenger]

Wow, had no idea you could do this so easily!

[@yousefgeorge3060]

This is so helpful thank you so much!