Can I do this ?

[Scooter69]

I have a set of Shimano ST-EF51 brake levers/gear shifters that are 3 x 8 speed.

 

Can I use these levers/shifters for a 2 chainring in the front and a 7 speed freewheel in back, or is the "pull" incompatible.

 

Both chainrings and freewheel are Shimano road components.

 

Front chainrings are 52 and 39.

 

Rear freewheel is 14 to 28 7 speed.

 

Distance from centre of bottom bracket to centre of freewheel is about 405 millimetres.

 

I do not yet have a front deraileur, still looking for one.

 

The rear deraileur is a Shimano Tourney.

 

I would really like to make use of these levers/shifters as they are just lying around at the moment.

 

Will this combination work.

 

your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[Vetseun]

I have a set of Shimano ST-EF51 brake levers/gear shifters that are 3 x 8 speed.

 

Can I use these levers/shifters for a 2 chainring in the front and a 7 speed freewheel in back, or is the "pull" incompatible.

 

Both chainrings and freewheel are Shimano road components.

 

Front chainrings are 52 and 39.

 

Rear freewheel is 14 to 28 7 speed.

 

Distance from centre of bottom bracket to centre of freewheel is about 405 millimetres.

 

I do not yet have a front deraileur, still looking for one.

 

The rear deraileur is a Shimano Tourney.

 

I would really like to make use of these levers/shifters as they are just lying around at the moment.

 

Will this combination work.

 

your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Dont think so

[JacBrand]

No, not compatible.

What you can do is put an eight speed casset on a seven speed free wheel body.

Back when shimano went from 7 to 8 spd, they made the chain narrower to have the same total width on 8 spd as the 7 spd.

[Johan Bornman]

I have a set of Shimano ST-EF51 brake levers/gear shifters that are 3 x 8 speed.

 

Can I use these levers/shifters for a 2 chainring in the front and a 7 speed freewheel in back, or is the "pull" incompatible.

 

Both chainrings and freewheel are Shimano road components.

 

Front chainrings are 52 and 39.

 

Rear freewheel is 14 to 28 7 speed.

 

Distance from centre of bottom bracket to centre of freewheel is about 405 millimetres.

 

I do not yet have a front deraileur, still looking for one.

 

The rear deraileur is a Shimano Tourney.

 

I would really like to make use of these levers/shifters as they are just lying around at the moment.

 

Will this combination work.

 

your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Just retrofit an 8spd freewheel body to that wheel and you're all good to go.

[Scooter69]

Just retrofit an 8spd freewheel body to that wheel and you're all good to go.

 

Thanks for the reply.Now the next problem is to actually FIND an 8 speed freewheel in South Africa LOL.

[V12man]

Thanks for the reply.Now the next problem is to actually FIND an 8 speed freewheel in South Africa LOL.

 

I run a road 9 speed cluster on an old 6 speed freehub.... first check that you can't just run 8 speed cluster on a 7 speed freehub - my money thinks you probably can.....

[droo]

The lever pull ratios are the same. Fit shifters and go.

 

Does the bike have a spin-on cluster or a cassette? If it's a cassette, you'll have no trouble finding a replacement and you can upgrade to 8sp at the same time.