unsure about rear cassettes

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by below49
I hadn't riden a road bike since I was in my late teens on a 10 speed and just recently picked up a vintage Takara for nothing. (So if the bike is vintage and I'm 25 years older then the bike, what does that make me?)

A friend was trying sell me on getting an 8 or 9 speed cassette for it (looks like I may be able to squeeze in the 9) but I don't totally understand the advantage for a novice like myself. I presently have a 7 speed 13-25 tooth, and he has an extra 8 speed 12-23 tooth that he is trying to get me to believe in.

In my understanding of the gearing (which may be totally off-base) the 12 tooth is going to give me a higher gearing than the 13, but the 25 tooth will give me a lower "granny gear" for climbing hills. I would also have an extra in-between gear with the 8 speed cassette, but again to a novice rider is this something that will have a large impact on my riding?

Any input would be appreciated, Thanks.

P.S. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area so "granny gears" are my friends. (no shortage of hills)

First, there are casettes and freewheels. They are not interchangable and you may have a freewheel rather than a casette. 8 and 9 speed hubs require 130mm dropout spacing, and yours is likely 126 or less. If you have a 7 speed freewheel,you might squeeze in an 8 speed with little expense,but the rear wheel would likely also need to be redished, and need a longer axel. If you have a 7 speed casettte,you need a new hub body or rear wheel, because 8 and 9 speed casettes don't fit on 7 speed hubs. Bottom line is that most people can get adequate high and low gearing with 7 speeds in the rear,but having 8,9, 10 can mean closer jumps between cogs.

Thank you for the info. Is there a distinguishable difference between freewheels & cassettes for those of us who don't know anything, or is my best bet to take a ride down to my local Bike shop and have them take a look.

Quiet honestly I'm fine with the 7 speed and would be inclined to leave well enough alone anyways.

Thanks again.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by below49
Thank you for the info. Is there a distinguishable difference between freewheels & cassettes for those of us who don't know anything, or is my best bet to take a ride down to my local Bike shop and have them take a look.

Quiet honestly I'm fine with the 7 speed and would be inclined to leave well enough alone anyways.

Thanks again.

Sheldon Brown has pictures at www.harriscyclery.com try freewheel and casette in the glossary of bike terms. 6 and 7 speed shimano uniglide casetes look so much like freewheels I hate to try and articulate the fine points in outward appearance.

I rode a 7 sp bike with downtube shifters from '92 until this year, and would say the advantages 9 sp vs. 7 sp is really minor for most of us recreational riders. Suggest you save your money until you're ready for a new bike.

I agree, I have a 9sp and a 7sp and I really don't notice much difference.

Thank you all very much.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by below49
Thank you all very much.

I too agree...a 7speed works fine. I have a triple front on my Trek 520 that helps me out with loaded touring.

I will have to upgrade to a new bike if I want more gears in the rear as my axel length is 126mm.

Crank