Converting to Shimano 11 Some Considertations

Thinking about Shimano 11 Speed ? read on... We final have the groups in stock 

It's been some time but finally here and Shimano have caught up to Campagnolo with 11 Speed for road bikes. The 11th cog is a nice addition to a road bike yet not a game changer, however no one wants less speed. So without much fan fair the new Dura-Ace 9000 is 11 speed and suddenly you have to look at your quiver of wheels and decide which you are keeping and if the whole conversion is going to be worthwhile. As it is with most upgrades and format changes there is a real urge to resist and just stick to what you have and what you know works but as it is with most upgrades it's not long before the next upgrade and the step you just missed has you so far behind that you are forced to do the previous upgrade and have lost out on the amazing benefits of New during your resistance years. Upgrading to 11 speed Dura-Ace is going to be like the final climb of a race, little dread- lot of PITA and finally happiness. 

Moving on..... your 10 speed wheels are not going to work with the new cassettes because they are 1.8mm short.  Hubs are still 130mm wide so no changes for frames. It does seem some hub manufacturers are going to be fudging hub with 1mm and we will see some hubs that are really 131mm but these will still fit 130mm frames with no issues.

Mavic wheel owners you can sit this out, Mavic wheels since 2001 are able to lose the spacer and accept the 11 Speed Shimano cassette. No change to 2013 Mavic wheels

Shimano older 9/10 wheels are not convertable. Once I get some spare parts to experiment with I might be able to report otherwize but as far as Shimano are telling me you are U.S...C.... with the older wheels. All 2013 Shimano wheels are 10/11 capable and we have some in stock already  see here  Shimano Wheels 

DT Swiss hubs which are popular on many wheels Reynolds, Enve, DT Swiss, Bontrager. You can replace the freehub with this, http://www.glorycycles.com/dtsw24011sps.html  you need to dish the wheel a fraction. All 2013 DT Swiss wheels are 10/11 capable.

All 2013 Zipp wheels are 10/11 capable. To use a 10 speed SRAM or Shimano cassette a spacer is now required.

Zipp - this is not pretty. You need to return your wheel to Zipp for the freehub to be swapped and the wheel dished. Speaking to Zipp about this they are saying it's just not something they feel will be done right of they have unqualified wheel builders altering the dishing on the rear wheels so they are not selling the free hubs alone. $250 and a return trip to Zipp if you want 11 speed.  All 2013 Zipp Wheels are 10/11 speed capable. "can I use a word like cockblock?"

SRAM wheels - No chance buddy you need to keep things simple and stick with 10 speed. 

Boyd Cycling - 2012 and below models will have an aftermarket freehub body produced (early 2013). A slight redishing will be needed. 2013 wheels have a unique system for 11 speed. Rather than penalizing people who are still running 10 speed by limiting their wheel stiffness, there will be a different system for 10 and 11 speed hubs (that uses the same hub for both systems). For 10 speed, a standard 130mm axle will allow the drive side flange width to be optimized. By upgrading to 11 speed, their is no longer clearance for this wide flange spacing so the 11 speed hub will have a longer freehub body, 131mm axle, and a different drive side end cap. This will allow the center to right flange spacing to stay optimized and keep a stiff wheelset. Wheels will need to be redished to go from 10 speed to 11 speed.

American Classic - Just $85 for the free hub and they offer to do the swap out in-house at no charge. Older 9/10 speed wheels can be converted without dishing the wheel. Also all 2013 wheels are 10/11 capable. 

Rolf Prima - If the wheel is 2009 or newer and Campy it will be a simple free hub body swap.  If it is 8/9/10 speed Shimano then it will require the complete conversion kit with new axle, endcap, and free hub body and some re-dishing will be required.  Also all 2013 wheels are 10/11 capable. 

When installing a 10 speed Shimano cassette on any of the new 11 Speed freehubs you will need the 1.8mm spacer as well as the 1mm spacer that is supplied with the cassette.

Fulcrum - New free hub's will be available soon. No re-dishing required. Also all 2013 wheels are 10/11 capable. 

Novatec - there are many wheel brands using these hubs. Older wheels are not backwards compatible and newer wheels will be both 10/11 

I will add more to this list as it comes up. Any questions about 11 speed for your bike please e-mail me. clive@glorycycles.com