7-10 spd compatibility / conversion

texjn said:

hi
i have a i have a bridgestone 450 i was thinking of changing over to a 10 speed from a 7 speed has any one done this and could you please tell me how to tell if this will work. thank you for the help

I believe that you would have to check the rear axle spacing to determine if the 10 speed hub would fit in the drop outs or if you would need the rear triangle bent to fit the wheel which may cause problems with wheel alignment.

CyclingPT said:

I believe that you would have to check the rear axle spacing to determine if the 10 speed hub would fit in the drop outs or if you would need the rear triangle bent to fit the wheel which may cause problems with wheel alignment.

Oh please....It's a steel frame and assuming it's already 126, a 120 could just be dropped in by hand spreading and ridden.

texjn said:

hi
i have a i have a bridgestone 450 i was thinking of changing over to a 10 speed from a 7 speed has any one done this and could you please tell me how to tell if this will work. thank you for the help

It'll work fine.All you have to do is spend enough money.Throw away everything but the frame fork,bar stem and front wheel if you don't mind the mismatch...I wouldn't waste my time.

I just recently changed out my 5 speed hub for a 10 speed (Campagnolo) on my mid-80's Trek. I changed the rear wheel and hub (went from the 126 to 130 without trouble), put on a 10 speed rear derauiller and a 10 speed chain. I am still using the old downtube friction shift levers, the front derailler (no I can't spell this word 🙂 ), and the front chainring/cranks/etc. It took me a little time to get the shifting right as I don't have to move the lever as far but it has worked fine for a few hundred miles so far. I didn't try to get the original 5 speed rear derauillur to work as it didn't seem to be able to clear all 10 gears on the rear cassette.

Good luck.