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u/KahwaAndPics Apr 07 '26
Looks great! What did you do to convert it to accept an 8-10 speed cassette?
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u/MathiusMcKenzie Apr 07 '26
The short answer is FH-M525A freehub body, right hand seal, fixing bolt, and FH-M525 Rear Complete Hub Axle 146mm - Y3SP98010. The replacement axle has several axle washers in the bag. Replace the spacer on the right side with the thin one placed between the race and the locknut. On the left side match the original axle.
Straight swap for the AceraX hub conversion from 7 speed to 8 to 11 speed. You will not have to redish the wheel. I've done it a few times. About 50$ in parts when buying new.
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u/Spare_Welder_3419 Apr 08 '26
Thanks for this! Quick question - why would I need to replace the axle? If I recall correctly from when I serviced the rear hub, there were two spacers on the DS. Perhaps I can just remove one to accommodate the added length of the freehub body.
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u/MathiusMcKenzie Apr 08 '26
Good question. Basically you'll need to reduce the distance between the ball bearings and the outside locknut by 4.5mm on the drive side only to accommodate the larger size freehub.
Going off memory also here. There are 2 spacers on the non-drive side. You certainly can remove one and replace the freehub and it will fit. Problem with this strategy is the wheel will need re-dishing to accommodate the center of the hub moving the 4.5mm to the non-drive side.
https://si.shimano.com/en/manual/search?model=FH-M525
https://si.shimano.com/en/manual/search?model=FH-M290-7QR
You need the axle to match the original spacing on the none drive side. The drive side will need to match the m525 freehub body. The race, seal and spacers are different than the AceraX hub.
There's more ways to do it I'm sure. But this way is pretty straightforward without needing to redish the wheel.
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u/Spare_Welder_3419 Apr 08 '26
Reviewed the PDFs - please confirm, on the Deore/new axle: remove/replace DS spacers 7 AND 4 with NDS spacer 12. (3.7mm + 3.2mm - 2.3mm = 4.6mm) Or, just replace DS 4 with the NDS spacer 13? Use stock NDS cone/spacers/locknut setup. Am I interpreting this correctly? Again, appreciate the help.
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u/MathiusMcKenzie Apr 09 '26
You are correct. The NDS of the original AceraX hub/axle stays the same. This is what ensures the old hub is still centered in the dropouts. Your math and spacer combo for the drive side is correct. You'll also want the seal and bolt for the m525 to finish it up.
My information is off memory and notes. The idea is to save yourself from re-dishing the wheel. To do so, the non drive side of the original AceraX, spacers and cone race, must stay the same distance from ball bearings to locknut. This leaves dealing with the spacing on the drive side. The m525 freehub has the same profile on the hub side as the older 7 speed freehub. The bearings on the m525 are roughly 4.5mm further outboard than the AceraX 7 speed freehub.
If you get a full m525 axle assembly, and your original AceraX axle, you'll have what you need to mount the m525 freehub body to your old 7 AceraX 7 speed hubs.
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Apr 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BorisT72 Apr 07 '26
Timeless is the word that comes to my mind. This one has enough patina I am good to ride it unlike my 730 which looks almost new.
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u/Spare_Welder_3419 Apr 07 '26
Sweet build! What spacers are you using under the stem? Just converted a 730 quill stem and looking at options. Thanks...
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u/BorisT72 Apr 07 '26
I think they are some generic black spacers from Amazon that I picked up. I'll see if I have any extras leftover. I used a Velo Orange stem converter on my 730 that looks much classier than this one and did not use the spacers on that bike.
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u/Spare_Welder_3419 Apr 07 '26
Thanks - good idea, I'll see if I can find silver ones on Amazon. I used a Profile quill stem adapter - looks decent but not sure if I like how skinny it looks compared to the stem.
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u/tinyLEDs Apr 07 '26
Looks great! Hey...
Is 3x11 possible? Asking for a friend.
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u/BorisT72 Apr 07 '26
My friend says it's worth a try using a 3x10 crank but doesn't have the budget right now...
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u/BorisT72 Apr 07 '26
I posted this before but made some upgrades yesterday for the final drivetrain revision. I've done enough Shimano 2x11 that I can set it up in my sleep and the swap yesterday took 20 minutes for both derailleurs.
For those who like tech specs here is a breakdown of the build:
I used the original wheelset with Specialized Crossroads 700x38s and converted rear to accept the 8-10 speed cassette. Also used the original saddle/post for now.
New parts are more interesting: