1x12 conversion

[russ77]

Afternoon all. I’m wondering if I can breathe a little life into my favourite bike by replacing the drivetrain with something totally modern.

Does anyone know if the new giant cassettes will fit on a nine speed free hub found on my old wheels or has everything moved on more than that? I’m thinking something like this:


https://www.bananaindustries.co.uk/...gle-12s-32t-175mm?_pos=1&_sid=1dbdecda8&_ss=r

 

[ishaw]

A bit of googling suggests that the 12sp SRAM cassette you've linked to will work with the Shimano freehub. The simplest check is to confirm whether it is 11sp smallest cog. If so, it will work with the Shimano hg freehub. If it's a 10sp small cog, that signifies an XD freehub which is entirely different.

 

[scant]

also depends on the frame, IE cassette clearance width to the frame,if you're using 135mm conventional quick release. i've had a few friends try with mixed results, some had clearance, some didnt. you might have better luck with something like 11 speed 11-46T

 

[hamster]

One other point is to get the rear hanger alignment set up - 10 speed and up is much more tetchy on hanger alignment.

 

[bikeworkshop]

A lot of modern mtb groups expect a wide chainline for 142mm thru axle or more.
As a result, fitting to 135 with big rear cassette might need an older style bb setup like square taper so you can choose a good chainline.
Poor chainline is a bad as mech alignment.
Everything can be totally horrible.

 

[russ77]

Thanks, folks! Maybe I’ll look for something 11spd instead. Would be a shame if I didn’t have the clearance. Thanks again!

 

[Suprachrgd82]

12 is a not likely as the smallest cog is 10t, too small to fit [our] 8-speed freehubs. 11 can be done providing the dropouts and seatstays offer clearance. 10 is a guaranteed fit.

 

[pwebb]

For quick conversion to 1X designed to fit on shimano HG 9,10,11 (35mm) freehubs, you can use the BOX prime 9 kits - scouring ebay will bring this under £100 ( for box three or box four) - however bear in mind that as others have said here - derailleur hanger may be too high up and require an extension ( few quid on ebay) to avoid mech contacting the spokes. I would recommend 11-46T not 11-50T ( having done the latter its too extreme) A lower tech option would be to use the microshift acolyte 8 speed freewheel, shifter and mech - which still has more than enough range and has pleasant light weight shifting action ( designed for kids with small hands).
for a 1x 11 or 1x12 setup you would need a freehub body that has the later HG11 (37mm) freehub which you wont have if yours is currently 9s. - good tech documents on compatibility on the box components website https://boxcomponents.com/pages/contact-us (scroll to bottom).
btw both box and microshift freehubs can also be used on older retro 7 and 8 speed hubs by omitting the smallest cog that comes separate with the lockring.
the advice above on chainline is also very pertinent - you will find it decidely 'crunchy' on the lowest gears and it pays to experiement with different (i.e. square taper) BB lengths

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Just to throw it back to cassettes - check out Sun Race cassettes - they are my go-to when trying to set up bikes with HG free hubs with newfangled 1x drivetrains.

Also, yes on the chainline issues as well. When you're going with a cassette the size of a family pizza the chain has to make quite an angle across to a chainring the size of a compact disc, chainline is critical. Narrow wide chainring can help as can a BB (or seat tube) mounted chain guide.