Ask a Mechanic: 10-Speed Freehubs with 11-Speed Cassettes

With road groups making the jump to 11-speed and a new freehub body standard, there are thousands of really nice rear wheels out there that are either expensive to upgrade, or can't be upgraded at all. Former Team Highroad pro mechanic Greg O'Keeffe shows you how to use an 11-speed group on your 10-speed rear wheel in this episode of Ask a Mechanic.

[olivierarsenault]

I just tried to fit a 11 speed cassette (Ultegra 6800 12-25T) on a 10 speed Zipp 188 hub (2012?). First attempt: I removed the 13 teeth cog to conserve 12T for more speed (downhill or sprint). 12T cog is also different and seems to have a better contact with the external lockring. This resulted in a chain skipping when shifting from 14T to 12T (too big difference between those cogs). My second attemp was successful: I removed the 12T cog, but added a spacer between the cassette and the internal end of the hub (same spacer you use for a 10 speed cassette on a 11 speed hub). I don't even have to readjust my derailler when I switch my new Wheel for my old 11 speed cassette wheel, the adjustment is exactly the same!!!

[Ranger]

Ok, I re-viewed the video and from what I gather, I can modify the 11spd cassette to work on the 10spd freehub Dialing in the stops on the ultegra 6800 will allow me to continue to use the 6800 brifters as well. This eliminates a ton of swapping out of shimano components..Thanks :o)

[michaelurquhart]

Sorry this reply is so late coming. But, I have found that a Mavic
8-9-10 speed hub will work without any sort of modifications when
upgrading to an 11 speed hub. This works well with any of the Ksyrium
rear 8-9-10 speed wheelsets. Thank you.

[gtranquilla]

For those with an 11 speed cycle and another 10 speed cycle, would it not be better to widen the 10 speed freehub then install the 11 speed cassette on the 11 speed cycle?

[rickaristotlejorge]

Can i use a 15-32t 8 spd customized cassette by removing the 11 and 13t cog? Thanks!

[johan]

Does this work for the XT m8000 11speed MTB cassette by removing the 17t?

[superfisto]

So the shifting is indexed for 11 gears but only shifts across 10 years? 

[chencho]

Get a new 11 speed freehub if you can and switch or ream (1.85mm) the rear part of the cassette. Many bike shops and online shops do that...

[buttersstotch]

I have a Shimano WH-RS10 hub on my bike. Can I upgrade to a 11 speed freehub?

[FloridaBikeVlogger]

so this would work on my sram stuff too right?

[grahamcuddy]

I tried a new 105 rearmech but the 10speed shimano chain jumps with 10speed shimano cassette under load and starting at lights under load, also this is in small ring. I can look down at the cassette and see the chain jump, gears change perfect when not under load. Any ideas thanks.

[ebigarella]

I don't think that would work. A 11-speed 11-tooth cog has this larger spacer built-in so it goes inside the 12-tooth cog. If you remove the 12, then you end-up with different spacing from the 13 to the 11.
Adding first a spacer than the 10-cog set would be easier. I have used the same 11-spd spacer, but maybe the spacer to use a 11-speed freehub with 10-speed cassette would be better.
Anyway, the first setup seems to be working on a Giant wheel with 10-speed freehub and a modified CS-6800 is working well.

[Aramis]

Why is the cog removal necessary? I just put my 10 speed C24 wheel with 12-25 cassette on my 11-speed ultegra and it worked beautifully no changes required. Yes, the risk is there to overshift and the change will hit the spokes but if you manage that carefully, I found no issues with this combination.

[arthurward]

I have a new 1.5C Trek with a 10 speed cassette. I would like to put a 11 speed cassette on the rear wheel. Is this possible and can you tell me what needs to be done? It currently has the Tiagra derailures.

[xXxkurihdwxXx]

Hi! I'm planning to upgrade to 11-speed everything. My question: how might I figure out what 11-speed freehub body is compatible with my wheelset(s)? Running all shimano right now, I've got an old wh-rs10 and some mavic cosmic elite-s. LBS says just buy a new wheelset, but that really overshoots my budget for this endeavor.

[mustangman]

I'm planning to purchase a used wheel set and it's currently setup for 10 sp. What do I need to do to fit my currently 11 sp setup on my bike?

[Rodjov]

So I've got a 105 11 speed groupset, but I've got a 10 speed free hub on my wheels. If I take one of the rings off the 11 speed cassette will it then fit on the 10 speed free hub?

[anwarmansouralamry]

can I ride my carbon bike which it has been chipped off it has no signs of crack or broken just the chain rubbed against the frame so far it has no problem kindly advice

[grahamcuddy]

Road bike, my chain jumps when accelerating with road 10 speed shimano chain and shimano 10 speed cassette all new nothing worn, but i'm questioning my derailleur and jockey wheels.Thanks.

[Gargoyle]

Some upgrade help please?
I have a 2016 GIANT Trance 2 Mountain Bike. It's a 2x10 setup with all shimano components, mostly Deore and a few SLX. I'm hoping to change it over to XT M8000 1x11.
The only thing I'm unsure of is, will my existing freehub support an 11 speed cassette? I've had the hardest time finding a difinitive yes or no on the web. A lot of road cassette videos going from 10 to 11 and the related troubles, along with just whisperings of "it works fine for MTB". Does it? does it really work fine for MTB?
Maybe, someone here can help?