Screaming brakes and convert to 24 speed ?????????

[imperial21]

I have a 2003 Raleigh X1 hybrid wihich is 21 gears and i want to know how easy it would be to convert to 24 speed, I have shifters and rear mech, Can my wheel take a 8 speed cassette ?
Also very annoyingly my brakes squeak or scream very loudly i get complaints when i am riding
How easy is it to sort this ?
My bike has V brakes.
Thanks

 

[hamster]

Firstly the brakes: you need to adjust the pads so that the end at the front of the bike touches the rim fractionally before the rear. See the Park Tools website if you need details.

On the wheel, you would probably have a screw on freewheel as 7 speed freehubs are uncommon these days. You could try to source am 8 speed one, but they are rare. If by a slim chance you have a cassette hub and it is an 8/9/10 speed one with a spacer then you could be in luck, you just need the cassette.

 

[Dead Rats]

as above really, great answer.

loosen the brake pads, put an old credit card behind the rear 1cm of the pads and hold it together with one hand, pull brake lever with other hand then tighten pad nut again, hey presto - pads toed in