converting 7spd DA hub

The axle is probably 137mm. If you respace the OLD out to 130mm, you still have enough left over. The axle for 8/9-speed hubs is 141mm. You can get a new one but it is not required.

Older Dura-ace stuff is not completely interchangable with other Shimano lines, especially shifters, deraillers, cassettes, and freehub bodies.

Erik Voldengen said:

My club has a several older DA 7spd uniglide wheels which we'd like to
convert to 8/9sd for cross season. We don't want to sand off cassette
splines or stay at 126mm spacing.

I read the article on sheldon brown's site, but I still don't think I
fully understand what's required.

He says to convert a 7spd freehub to 8spd, you just need to replace
the freehub body with the FW7403 piece. However, there's no mention
of changing the axle. I believe the axle is 126mm long, and I need
130mm spacing. So wouldn't I also have to change the axle along with
the freehub?

No. Usual axles are 11 mm longer than the locknut spacing, so your
present axle is most likely 137 mm.

If you re-space the hub to 130, and center the axle, there will be 3.5
mm of axle protrusion on each side. This is MORE than enough. Save
your money.

Quoted message said:

Also, we're not super pumped to shell out $77 per wheel to get this
new 7403 freehub body. But I assume we are stuck there...or are we?
Is it not possible to use a modern body, say an LX or Ultegra?

No, it is not. The attachment to the hub shell is totally different.

See my article on Dura-Ace interchangeability:

http://sheldonbrown.com/dura-ace

Sheldon "Parts" Brown
+------------------------------------------+
| So we'll go no more a roving |
| So late into the night, |
| Though the heart be still as loving, |
| And the moon be still as bright. |
| |
| For the sword outwears its sheath, |
| And the soul wears out the breast, |
| And the heart must pause to breathe, |
| And Love itself have rest. |
| |
| Though the night was made for loving, |
| And the day returns too soon, |
| Yet we'll go no more a roving |
| By the light of the moon. |
| --Lord Byron |
+------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

Erik Voldengen said:

My club has a several older DA 7spd uniglide wheels which we'd like to
convert to 8/9sd for cross season. We don't want to sand off cassette
splines or stay at 126mm spacing.

I read the article on sheldon brown's site, but I still don't think I
fully understand what's required.

He says to convert a 7spd freehub to 8spd, you just need to replace
the freehub body with the FW7403 piece. However, there's no mention
of changing the axle. I believe the axle is 126mm long, and I need
130mm spacing. So wouldn't I also have to change the axle along with
the freehub? Is that even doable, and could I use a modern shimano
axle? I imagine I'd also need another spacer or two, but that's
hopefully no big deal.

Also, we're not super pumped to shell out $77 per wheel to get this
new 7403 freehub body. But I assume we are stuck there...or are we?
Is it not possible to use a modern body, say an LX or Ultegra?

Any info would be very much appreciated.

-Erik
Self proclaimed Freehub N00b.

I did this for a road bike.
The dishing becomes a little extreme for cross IMHO.
The axle I used didn't last very long either.

Gonzo and Sheldon,

Thank you very much for your replies. Very helpful indeed. And
thanks for the online articles, too, Sheldon. Off I go to retool some
wheels.

-Erik

Abe Oogerfart said:

Erik Voldengen said:

My club has a several older DA 7spd uniglide wheels which we'd like to
convert to 8/9sd for cross season. We don't want to sand off cassette
splines or stay at 126mm spacing.

I read the article on sheldon brown's site, but I still don't think I
fully understand what's required.

He says to convert a 7spd freehub to 8spd, you just need to replace
the freehub body with the FW7403 piece. However, there's no mention
of changing the axle. I believe the axle is 126mm long, and I need
130mm spacing. So wouldn't I also have to change the axle along with
the freehub? Is that even doable, and could I use a modern shimano
axle? I imagine I'd also need another spacer or two, but that's
hopefully no big deal.

Also, we're not super pumped to shell out $77 per wheel to get this
new 7403 freehub body. But I assume we are stuck there...or are we?
Is it not possible to use a modern body, say an LX or Ultegra?

Any info would be very much appreciated.
-Erik Self proclaimed Freehub N00b.

I did this for a road bike.
The dishing becomes a little extreme for cross IMHO.
The axle I used didn't last very long either.

Isn't this dish the same as all other 8/9/10 speed Shimano hubs? Does
the wheel need to be re-dished?

After replacement of the freehub body, is there need for a new dust cap?

And what about the right-side cone; does it need to be replaced with an
8spd version? Will the original cone match the new dust cap? Is there a
rubber seal on the new cone? Where are all these parts available?

Do the spacers all go on the right, or the left, or 2mm each side?

Erik Voldengen said:

My club has a several older DA 7spd uniglide wheels which we'd
like to convert to 8/9sd for cross season.

I'd respace to 130mm (the axle is long enough) and leave the freehub
on. You have to adapt to the old spline, use UG as the smallest cog
and may have to change the cog spacers. You have the stronger wheel
due to less dish.

--
MfG/Best regards
helmut springer