REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Upgrading Shimano 8 Speed HG to Shimano 12 Speed Micro Spline

5157 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by noapathy, 7 d ago

GSPA

Discussion Starter · Oct 19, 2021 (Edited)

Hello, I have a 1999 Specialized Rockhopper 2x8 speed 29er stock hardtail. I have upgraded stem, handlebars, seat post clamp, dropper seat post, pedals and grips. I just purchased an SLX 7100 1X12 Speed drivetrain and SLX brakes. My stock rims have a Shimano FH-TX505 Rear Hub - 9 x 135mm, Center-Lock, HG, 32H. HG and Micro Spline are not compatible. My Shimano SLX 7100 group set has a Micro Spline hub. I'm having a hard time finding 9 X 135MM Micro Spline Hub. My rims are stock Stout 25 29, alloy, disc only, double-wall. I would like to know what are my options for installing a Shimano Micro Spline on my Rockhopper? Also can I install a 10x135 rear hub on my current rim? I hope someone can help me out with this issue. I thank you in advance.

REPLY

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Reaperactual

· #2 · Oct 20, 2021 (Edited)

I'm pretty sure without looking at your current Shimano hub that it's a typical cup and cone with loose ball bearings which can't be converted to allow a Microspline freehub to be retrofitted.

If you're only looking for an alternative hub just to fit your 12 speed groupset then there is the option of fitting an alternative 12speed HG compatible cassette but with that you would lose the HG+ (shifting under load function) that your SLX cassette has.

I personally would ditch the Shimano hub anyway, upgrade and go for something like this example Hope hub:-

Automotive tire Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Rim Headlamp

There are other good quality hubs that would also be suitable. Basically a non Boost thru axle (142×12 ta) that have brand specific Microspline, HG, XD Driver options and also quick release end cap conversion kits for use with quick release frames/dropouts.

I've never built a wheel so far, there's no reason why it wouldn't be able to go into your current rim. I guess it would need new (and likely different length) spokes but I'll leave that for someone else with more knowledge to answer.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

tom tom

· #3 · Oct 20, 2021

Get a Deore 11-51 12 seed cassette, it will fit your existing freehub.......

the-one1

· #4 · Oct 20, 2021

Deore 11-51 is 11speed.
The Deore 12speed is microspine

Harold

· #5 · Oct 23, 2021

anything labeled 9x135 is mislabeled. 10x135 is the correct labeling. Rear qr axles are 10mm in diameter and front qr axles are 9mm.

Frankly, I wouldn't bother trying to lace a new hub into your existing rim unless you had something like a really nice carbon rim. you're almost guaranteed to need new spokes (different lengths required because different hub flange dimensions), and at that point when considering spokes plus the cost/effort of a wheel build, buying a whole wheel is probably a better use of time/money.

Shimano makes the MT-FH401 and MT-FH500 hubs that you could use that meet your criteria. With parts shortages and wait times, there's no telling if any of these are available and if any complete wheels with these hubs are available.

Frankly, though, I think 12spd is too much for a bike this old.

Reactions: 2

Sparticus

· #6 · Oct 23, 2021

OP, you’re already in it this deep.,, might as well buy a new Microspline, tubeless ready wheelset, too — and really wallow in that money pit.

After that, the only thing left to upgrade will be the frame.

=sParty

Reactions: 1

GSPA

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 16, 2021

Harold said:
anything labeled 9x135 is mislabeled. 10x135 is the correct labeling. Rear qr axles are 10mm in diameter and front qr axles are 9mm.

Frankly, I wouldn't bother trying to lace a new hub into your existing rim unless you had something like a really nice carbon rim. you're almost guaranteed to need new spokes (different lengths required because different hub flange dimensions), and at that point when considering spokes plus the cost/effort of a wheel build, buying a whole wheel is probably a better use of time/money.

Shimano makes the MT-FH401 and MT-FH500 hubs that you could use that meet your criteria. With parts shortages and wait times, there's no telling if any of these are available and if any complete wheels with these hubs are available.

Frankly, though, I think 12spd is too much for a bike this old.

GSPA

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 16, 2021

Thank you for the information bro.

eb1888

· #9 · Nov 16, 2021

You're beginning to o down a common path. It's about to cost you a significant amount of money.
At least a new rear wheel and next a fork. The microspline hub that is also two generations outdated at 10x135 may be very hard to find. And when you look at forks you'll want a 15x110 hub new wheel at the front.What you'll end up with will be outdated and compromised.
You have SLX components that could be sold or put on a new bike.
But 11sp is more than adequate. So consider bikes with 12x148 rear wheels.

Reactions: 1

GSPA

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 17, 2021

eb1888 said:
You're beginning to o down a common path. It's about to cost you a significant amount of money.
At least a new rear wheel and next a fork. The microspline hub that is also two generations outdated at 10x135 may be very hard to find. And when you look at forks you'll want a 15x110 hub new wheel at the front.What you'll end up with will be outdated and compromised.
You have SLX components that could be sold or put on a new bike.
But 11sp is more than adequate. So consider bikes with 12x148 rear wheels.

eb1888 said:
You're beginning to o down a common path. It's about to cost you a significant amount of money.
At least a new rear wheel and next a fork. The microspline hub that is also two generations outdated at 10x135 may be very hard to find. And when you look at forks you'll want a 15x110 hub new wheel at the front.What you'll end up with will be outdated and compromised.
You have SLX components that could be sold or put on a new bike.
But 11sp is more than adequate. So consider bikes with 12x148 rear wheels.

Thank you for breaking it down to me. I’m going to look into it.

AKamp

· #11 · Dec 17, 2021

I stuck a White Industries 135 x 10 microspline on my bike but it is a Potts

Reactions: 1

DeeCount

· #12 · Dec 17, 2021

Industry Nine makes a nice hub in QRx135 Microspline 👍

Industry Nine - Hubs

richj8990

· #13 · Jan 13, 2022

eb1888 said:
You're beginning to o down a common path. It's about to cost you a significant amount of money.
At least a new rear wheel and next a fork. The microspline hub that is also two generations outdated at 10x135 may be very hard to find. And when you look at forks you'll want a 15x110 hub new wheel at the front.What you'll end up with will be outdated and compromised.
You have SLX components that could be sold or put on a new bike.
But 11sp is more than adequate. So consider bikes with 12x148 rear wheels.

Also, and people here currently working at a bike shop would know this more, but I read that part of the reason they went to boost for the standard recently is because 12-speed cassettes/chains can't quite clear a 135 or 142mm frame. So it's not just for the lame excuse to make 29" tires 10-20% 'stronger', it actually has a practical reason as well. Supposedly the 12-speed chain will tick tick tick on the smallest 10t cog because there is a couple mm less room for the cassette in the narrower frame than in 148mm boost. So if you are going to upgrade from 8-speed, do it with 10 or 11-speed, not 12. There will be enough range for almost everything you are going to do with 10/11 speed. You just have to coast down certain smoother descents than if you had taller gearing but that's not a huge deal.

Reactions: 1

AKamp

· #14 · Jan 13, 2022

The drivetrain I put on clears fine but I may have gotten lucky. I wouldn’t be surprised if some bikes have a little interference.

frixosa

· #15 · 1 mo ago

GSPA said:
Hello, I have a 1999 Specialized Rockhopper 2x8 speed 29er stock hardtail. I have upgraded stem, handlebars, seat post clamp, dropper seat post, pedals and grips. I just purchased an SLX 7100 1X12 Speed drivetrain and SLX brakes. My stock rims have a Shimano FH-TX505 Rear Hub - 9 x 135mm, Center-Lock, HG, 32H. HG and Micro Spline are not compatible. My Shimano SLX 7100 group set has a Micro Spline hub. I'm having a hard time finding 9 X 135MM Micro Spline Hub. My rims are stock Stout 25 29, alloy, disc only, double-wall. I would like to know what are my options for installing a Shimano Micro Spline on my Rockhopper? Also can I install a 10x135 rear hub on my current rim? I hope someone can help me out with this issue. I thank you in advance.

REPLY

You found solution about this? Did you install 12 casette on Shimano FH-TX505?

noapathy

· #16 · 7 d ago

I'd hang onto the 12spd bits for a future bike or sell/return them and throw on a Microshift wide range 10spd setup. It works great and will likely cost $150-200 total.

ADVENT X | microSHIFT

www.microshift.com

Reactions: 2

1 - 16 of 16 Posts