Old Koga, new wheels.

Not sure if this is the right sub-forum, if not I apologise.

My friend has bought a new 11 speed shimano compatible wheelset (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/campagnolo/khamsin-shimano-compatible-wheelset-ec028424) for his old 6 speed Koga - Miyata Flyer, thinking he would just buy a new cassette and chain and be done with it.

Now he's running in to the problem that his Shimano groupset (it says "Signature" on the crank, I'm guessing it's 105?) wouldn't be compatible with an 11 speed cassette, LBS told him there is nothing to be done.

Google isn't helping much so I thought I'd ask here, is there no way around this? (spacer sets or something?)

If his old bike has friction shifters (I guess so being an old 6 speed) then fitting an 8 speed cassette and chain should work. Friction shifting 11 speed would be very tricky but 8 speed should be manageable. I am assuming that Shimano 11 speed hubs are backwardly compatible the way 10 speed are. Maybe someone can confirm this.

There is also the minor issue of dropout spacing, 6 speed bikes were usually 126mm and the newer hubs are 130mm but if it is a steel frame then this shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for your reply.

The rear spacing is bendable so that wouldn't be a problem.

It does have friction shifters, so here's hoping the wheel will fit an 8 speed cassette.