New gearing on an old bike (redo)

[Ljt21]

*Think I initially submitted this to the wrong thread so I'm redoing it on here.


I'm currently trying to restore this old bike but my bike knowledge isn't the best. I was wondering if I'd be able to change the current 8 speed cassette to a 10 or 11 speed? And what other parts would be necessary to make this work? bearing in mind it needs new shifters and breaks aswell.

The bike is currently on a Shimano 105 2x8 and runs 700c, free wheel(I think), wheels.

[Painkiller]

I f your rear spacing is 126mm, I would not recommend a cold set to the frame, the 105 group set on the bike is very nice and easy to come by in the market place. it can be done but do not recommend a novice attempt to cold set the rear of the frame. It is what it as they say. The high gear does not really change anyways, if anything add a 2 tooth bigger outer chainring if top end end is what you are looking for

[Nicholas]

Hi, Ljt21.
I am forwarding a comment from our follower Jonathon:

"Shimano 8 speed freehub should take a 10 speed cassette without a problem. The rear mech is difficult to see in the picture but looks like an early 8 speed SIS model so will need replacing to work with ten speed too although you might get away with just replacing the jockey wheels so that a ten speed chain runs smoothly on it as the throw will be enough and the levers determine the movement amount per click on this anyway. Look for a second hand Shimano 105 5700 groupset or cheaper Tiagra 4600 or 4700 and you will have all you need. The chainrings on it at the moment won’t work with a 10 speed chain so they would need changing so most cost effective is to get a whole groupset. The hubs on those wheels are unlikely to accept an 11 speed cassette as they changed when 11 came out and most old ones aren’t compatible sorry.

edit: Those jockey wheels won’t take a 10 speed chain and with so many other bits to get you are better off getting a complete groupset."

[Ljt21]

Thank you for your response. Might have to be a whole new groupset then, especially because I was considering getting some new wheels aswell. Looks like I'm going for performance over nostalgia, which isn't so bad.