I recently lost my front wheel ( I won't say how due to embarrassment. ) As well replacing the front wheel, I decided to replace the old rear wheel as well. The old rear wheel had 7 speed shimano cassette used with shimanno deore lx gears & a shimano SG X /exage crank pedal arrangement. Will i be able to put on a new rear wheel with an 8 speed cassette & 8 speed chain without many problems??. Any suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated. Thank Alex.

what shifters?

if they're indexed, nope

You would need to change the shifter and mech aswell.
You could use the original chain/cassette and use a spacer with a new 8/9 speed hub, until you're ready to upgrade.

You might be able to get away with the mech but you would need a shifter.

they are shimano deore lx shifter probably 1992/3 ( yes they are that old) with dual sis on them. The rear wheel is the old stylee too.

...unless it's a thumbie that's got no indexing, in which case 8spd'l be fine

7/8 use the same chain & cassette spacing iirc, it's just got another one on the end

if you got a new 8spd chain, you'd need to get new chainrings, as i'm sure, after 15 years, they're pretty shagged

edit: they're indexed, bugger

get any wheel, 7speed spacer and take your pick of 7speed cassettes

I think that should read BUY A NEW BIKE lol . Thanks for your help, I'll have a good think.

Sorry to be a div, would i still need to get a 7 speed spacer with a product such as a Shimano HG70 7 speed ?? Cheers.

You'll need a spacer to fit a 7 speed cassette on an 8/9 speed hub.

You'll need to replace the shifters, chainrings & probably rear mech if you go to 8/9 speed as the chain is that much thinner.

You might prefer picking up some 2nd hand wheels instead? I might even have some lurking in the back of the garage - where are you based?

I've already bought the wheel , so i'll have to fit a 7 speed cassette. Thanks for your help. Alex.

THANKS FOR YOUR ADVISE LADS, I HAVE FITTED A NEW 7 SPEED CASSETTE & SPACER & SHALL BE GOING FOR A SPIN TODAY. CHEERS.