I… want… more… RANGE… F**KER

I have a flat-bar Salsa Journeyman with a 2×8 Claris drivetrain. It has a 46/30 FSA crankset, and an 11-34, 8spd. cassette. I've been dreaming of just a bit more low end, but for the longest time, I wasn't aware that a 10 or 11 speed cassette could fit on my 8 speed hub, or that there was a 10 or 11 sp. derailleur with a 47T capacity… until finding the pictured Microshift components, excluding the nexus 6. So tell me, oh-see-ers:

Are these things I've read online facts or slop?

  • 8 speed to 11 speed swap, internet says no prob, and no spacer for 11sp mtb cassette.
  • The math: 42-11= 31; 46-30=16; 31+16= 47
  • Microshift plays nice with Shimano and HG.

So what I need to know is:

  • Confirmation that an 11 sp Microshift cassette will fit on my 8 sp freehub,
  • Will an 11 speed chain work on my stock FSA 46/30 chainrings designed for 8spd, or do I need different chainrings or crankset?
  • Will this concoction work with my stock Claris 2x front derailleur?
  • Any issue with the existing 68mm BSA width and chainline?

by Lagger-meister

1 Comment

  1. What’s the model number of your rear hub? If there’s a spacer behind the large cog of your cassette, you’re golden. You’ll just have to remove it.

    Your front derailleur should work just fine.

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