Mountain Biking - 8 speed to nine speed

Hi, just joined up and just about finished building up my Zaskar...but I've been offered a decent rear wheel at a decent price, but it's 9speed. I've got an 8speed just now , is there any difference in the dish of the wheel? I remember you had to have a whole new rear wheel built when upgrading from 7 to 8, but having measured my 8speed cassette and my fiancees 9speed, they seem to be the same width. Any ideas?

You will be fine. Eight speed and nine speed cassettes are interchangable (on the wheel).

Great! Thought as much. Just need to get me another shifter pod now... :lol:

Are you upgrading to a nine speed drivetrain as well?

Well yeah, since it's included with the wheel! Got XT front and rear mechs so it will just be a case of swapping the shifter.

You will need to pick up a new chain as well. The nine speed chain is a little narrower than the eight speed chain.

Ahhhh feck, never thought of that...maybe I'll just leave the nine speed cassette on the floor for another month or so!

You will need to pick up a new chain as well. The nine speed chain is a little narrower than the eight speed chain.
Is a 9-speed specific Front Der. needed aswell? I think i may have read that somewhere, but i couldve been sleeping.

He should be fine with the front derailleur he has. I just checked in QBP and there is no eight speed derailleurs listed anywhere.

Not sure - I've got one anyway. BB mounts suck by the way, get a post mount and save yourself hours of frustration trying to set the bugger up...

Front deraillers should work. The cassette works because the 9-spd chain is thinner , so you need a new chain.