8 speed chain on a 7 speed freewheel?

[nmfeb70]

Hi all, the title just about sums it up. A seller on eBay has sent me an 8 speed Shimano chain instead of a 7speed. They offered me a refund but now say, after checking with the manufacturer, that an 8 speed chain will be compatible with a 7 speed Shimano freewheel. Is this correct?

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Yes, it'll be fine.

 

[biggs682]

Fit and forget

 

[Juan Kog]

My 7 speed Shimano runs happily and smoothly with a scram 8 speed chain .

 

[Solocle]

I put an 8 speed cassette on a formerly 7 speed bike after changing the rear wheel and finding the shop had fitted a spacer!

What I needed to change were (potentially) chain length and the shifter. Everything else was compatible. As I say, spacer - the cogs were the same width.

And it just so happened that I had the spare 8 speed parts lying around!

 

[C R]

As I understand it, cog spacing and thickness are the same in 6, 7 and 8 speed, so the same chains are used for all three.