How do I tell if a wheel can accommodate 10 or 11spd?

[stratocaster142]

This question seemed to get lost in another thread I had...

Wife's bike with 8spd Claris on it and doing an upgrade. She will either take my used 10spd Tiagra setup and put it on, or go with an 11spd 105.

How can I tell or measure to know if her current wheel will take a 10spd or 11spd cassette?

[oliver1850]

Freehub width from ledge that cassette seats on to lock ring is about 34 mm for 8/9/10 and about 36 mm for 11 speed.

[Gummee]

To throw a wrench in the monkey works: the 11-34 11sp cassette will work on either.

HTH

M

[cderalow]

If it's an 8-spd cassette and not a freewheel, it'll be 10-speed compatible.

(freehub width for shimano is same between 8-10 speed, sprocket spacing varies.)

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by Gummee

To throw a wrench in the monkey works: the 11-34 11sp cassette will work on either.

HTH

M

Interesting. Is that because the 34 is large enough in diameter that it can be offset more towards the center of the bike without chain/spoke contact?

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by stratocaster142

This question seemed to get lost in another thread I had...

Wife's bike with 8spd Claris on it and doing an upgrade. She will either take my used 10spd Tiagra setup and put it on, or go with an 11spd 105.

How can I tell or measure to know if her current wheel will take a 10spd or 11spd cassette?

Pull the existing 8 speed cassette off. If there is a ~2mm thick spacer behind it, then you have an 11 speed wheel. No spacer, 10 speed. While you have it off, measure like Oliver 1850 said.

[Bob Ross]

Also, as the ultra-observant* wrench at my LBS recently pointed out to me, a Shimano 11-speed-compatible hub will actually say "11-sp" on the freehub body!



* I mean that literally, not referring to any religious affiliation here.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Also, as the ultra-observant* wrench at my LBS recently pointed out to me, a Shimano 11-speed-compatible hub will actually say "11-sp" on the freehub body!



* I mean that literally, not referring to any religious affiliation here.

This would be the best way.

[cderalow]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Also, as the ultra-observant* wrench at my LBS recently pointed out to me, a Shimano 11-speed-compatible hub will actually say "11-sp" on the freehub body!



* I mean that literally, not referring to any religious affiliation here.

not all of them do unfortunately, or more importantly, after having a cassette on it for any duration does it still show.

[stratocaster142]

Thanks everyone! Any other indicators I could measure/identify without taking anything apart? Just trying to minimize downtime for her.

[BikeNY]

The downtime will only be 5 minutes. Pull the wheel off the bike, take the cassette off and look for spacer and/or measure.

If this is the original wheel to the bike, it's most likely 10 speed.

[oliver1850]

The specs for the Domane only describe the hubs as "alloy". I'd bet they are 10 speed. If it's true that the 11-34 cassettes fit on 10 speed hubs, you might go that route. There is a 105 11-34 cassette available, CS-HG700-11, which you should be able to specify when you order a new 105 group. I think the bike came with 11-32 8 speed, so an 11-34 11 should result in smaller gaps between cogs. Be sure to specify the GS rear derailleur cage.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Interesting. Is that because the 34 is large enough in diameter that it can be offset more towards the center of the bike without chain/spoke contact?

yup

You can run bigger 11sp if you need the stump pulling gears

M

[stratocaster142]

Took the 10spd cassette off my wheel. No spacer behind the cassette. Measured 35mm from the top edge of the freehub to the bottom of the freehub where it looks like the large sprocket stops. Unfortunately the wheel my buddy gave me, which he thought could take an 11spd....is the same length.

[stratocaster142]

So can I replace the freehub body only? I have a lot of trust in my wheels...and as a Clydesdale rider I really don't want to get into the game of getting new wheel to find they are up to the task of my weight and crappy Massachusetts roads.