How to Upgrade a 9-Speed Wheel

Posted at: Mar. 30, 2021

The 9-speed wheel is used on mid-low range road bikes and cross bikes. We've put together a guide on how to upgrade your current 9-speed wheels to 10 or 11 speeds.

Table of contents

Let’s check the hub type of the wheel.

There are two types of hubs for multi-speed bicycle wheels.

cassette free
boss free

Most 9-speed bicycles are cassette-free, but some wheels have boss-free hubs, so check beforehand. You can check which type of wheel your bike is using by looking at whether or not there is a lock ring on the high side of the sprocket.

For this article, we will assume that you are using a cassette-free type wheel.

Are you using an 11-speed wheel or a 10-speed wheel?

If your current road bike, cross bike, or MTB is an 8-speed bike, then you have two types of wheels.

11-speed wheel
10-speed (8, 9, or 10-speed) wheel

Either of these.

How to determine which one is which can be determined by the presence of spacers on the low side.

Free body spacers for wheels

The following can be determined by the presence or absence of spacers on the free body of the wheel.

gray spacer in the low side => 11 speed wheel
no spacer on the low side => 10 speed wheel

Converting a 9-speed wheel to a 10-speed wheel

Since the height of the 10-speed sprocket is 1.0 mm lower than that of the 9-speed sprocket, the lock ring that holds the sprocket in place will not tighten properly if the 10-speed sprocket is installed as is.

Therefore, it is possible to convert a 9-speed wheel to a 10-speed wheel by adjusting the height with a commercially available Shimano 1.0mm low spacer on the low side.

Shimano CS4202 Cassette Freehub Spacer (1-mm) | Amazon

If the wheel you are currently using is an 11-speed wheel, it should have a 1.85mm low spacer in it, so install the sprocket with both the 1.85mm spacer and the 1.0mm spacer in the low side.

Converting a 9-speed wheel to 11-speed

Since the 11-speed sprocket is designed to be 1.85mm higher than the 9-speed sprocket, if your current wheel is a 10-speed wheel, you will not be able to convert it to 11-speed. If your current wheel is a 10-speed wheel, you will not be able to change to 11-speed. You will have to buy a new 11-speed wheel and replace the entire wheel.

On the other hand, if your current wheel is an 11-speed wheel, you can convert it to 11-speed by removing the low spacer from the low side of the 9-speed sprocket and installing an 11-speed sprocket.

9-speed wheel upgrade summary

Finally, all the cases are summarized.

Sprocket speed	8-10 speed wheel	11 speed wheel
10-speed conversion	replace with 1mm spacers	replace with 1mm + 1.85mm spacers
11 speed conversion	not available	replace without spacers

You can see that the low spacer you need will vary depending on which sprocket you use.

If you are thinking of upgrading from a 9-speed wheel to a 10- or 11-speed wheel, please refer to this article.

Mechanics New Posts

Summary of hex wrench sizes to prepare for road bike maintenance.

For those who will be servicing their road bikes, we have compiled a list of hex wrench sizes that are commonly used for road bike maintenance and that you should have available.
Latex Butyl? Different tire tube materials and how to choose the right one.

There are two types of bicycle tire tubes, latex tubing and butyl tubing. The following is a summary of the differences between the two and which one you should choose.
Guide to Choosing Binding Pedals for Road Bikes

Binding pedals allow you to ride faster and more efficiently on your road bike. In this article, we will thoroughly explain what to look for when choosing binding pedals.
Summary of binding pedal cleat types and their respective characteristics

Cleats are the parts that connect binding pedals to shoes. Cleats are only one part, but each manufacturer has its own characteristics and differences. They are actually important parts that are linked to usability and their merits and demerits.
Advantages and disadvantages of putting sealant in road bike and MTB tires and how to choose

This section summarizes what sealants are for road bikes and MTBs, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to select sealants.
Types of valve extenders and how to select one

A valve extender, which extends the valve, is an essential item for operating deep-rim wheels on road bikes and other vehicles. The following is a summary of the different types of valve extenders, their differences, and how to select one.
Summary of brake shoes for carbon rim and wheel

When using rim brakes on carbon rim/wheels, it is essential to use special brake shoes to reduce braking force and damage to the rim. In this issue, we introduce a collection of brake shoes for carbon rim wheels.
Advantages and disadvantages of front single

The "front single" without front shifting is being increasingly adopted in MTB and gravel road bikes. This section summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the front single.
Road Bike Stem Standards and How to Choose

The stem is an unassuming part, but actually has a significant impact on ride comfort and speed. In this issue, we summarize road bike stem standards and how to select one.
Advantages and disadvantages of tubeless and tubeless ready tires

Tubeless and tubeless ready tires are increasingly being adopted in the latest wheels. The following is a summary of the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each, and points to keep in mind when choosing.
Advantages and disadvantages of using CO2 cylinders

The CO2 cylinder is the preferred puncture repair inflator for expert road bike users. This section summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of using CO2 cylinders for inflating, and the differences from portable pumps.
Advantages and disadvantages of tubular tires

Tubular tires are the choice of users who are concerned about performance. In this issue, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of tubular tires and what kind of users they match.
How to customize a road bike seat post and the effects you can get

Seat post customization has become a standard because it is easy and simple to do, even for beginners of road biking.
How do you determine the height of the handlebars on a road bike?

The "handlebar height" of a road bike has a significant impact on speed as well as ease of riding. This section summarizes what happens when you change the height and how to determine the right height.
Shimano road disc brake component compatibility summary

Shimano disc brake components for road use are difficult to select if you don't know about them. We have compiled a list of parts model numbers and their incompatibility, which can be difficult to understand.
What is the Q Factor? Measurement methods, how to determine appropriate values, and how to adjust

Q-factor is an important factor for improving pedaling efficiency. we summarize what Q-factor is, how to measure it, how to determine the proper value, and how to adjust it.
LOOK's Grades and Types of Binding Pedals for Road Use

LOOK is a highly regarded manufacturer of complete vehicles, and in this article, we'll take a look at the grades and types of LOOK's popular binding pedals for road use, and the differences between each model.
Summary of FSA cranks, grades and ratings

FSA cranks are often chosen as standard equipment for complete bikes. Here is a summary of their grades and why they are often rated low.
Choosing the right tires for a rainy road bike ride

Road bikes are often used for riding in the rain. In this article, we summarize tire selection for riding in the rain on a road bike.
What changes when you upgrade your Shimano rear derailleur?

One of the most modest component upgrades is the rear derailleur. Here is a summary of what changes when you upgrade your rear derailleur.