I bought an old GT palomar bike and want to strip it for the frame (it's a triple triangle .. 97 or 99 frame.. and I wanted a strong Cro Mo frame). The frame was built for a 7 speed rear cog set and I want to put new wheelsets on that will accomodate a 9 speed cassette. My LBS guy says that the 8, 9 and 10's are all the same size .. but they are bigger than the 7 that is currently on the bike. He says that he 'can' spread the triangle and try to fit in a 9 sp cassette .. but I want to make sure this is possible. I have already purchased lots of $$ in parts to build this frame up ... now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have just bought a new frame .. or a new bike (geeez I'm already at $650 in parts plus $100 for the old frame/bike). Is there a book .... or a web site where I can find out what specs will fit/work with this older frame? Or perhaps someone here might help? This is my first attempt to build up a bike .. I'm pretty new .... I could really use some help. I live in a rural area ... and the LBS guys just don't seem to know .. don't have the time ... or don't care.

You have a lot of money tied up into an old Palomar. I hope you really like that frame. And just because it is Cro-Mo, that doesn't mean it is any stronger than a modern aluminum frame. Either way, moving on....

If I remember correctly, the old 7speed uses a 130mm wide rear hub. Modern hubs are 135mm (for 8, 9, and 10 speed). This isn't much of a space difference, and you could spread this with your hands. A really good web site with lots of good info is www.sheldonbrown.com.

Good luck, and have fun with your project.