Bicycle Mechanics - will 9 speed shifters work with 8 speed cassette?

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mattface
05-30-06, 01:54 PM
I'm converting my bike from flat to drop bars and eventually converting it to 9 speed. II got a set of Ultegra 9 speed STI shifters. I'm wondering if I can get away with continuing to use my 8 speed cassette with the nine speed shifter like I could with 6/7.

HillRider
05-30-06, 01:57 PM
Not very well. 9-speed cogs have closer spacing than 8-speed so the shifters won't move the derailleur enough. You will get adequate shifts for a couple in each direction if you line up the middle cog exactly but it will be ragged at the extremes. You certainly will need a 9-speed chain.

Cassettes and chains are the cheapest part of any upgrade so you might as well get them right from the beginning.
sabaka
05-30-06, 02:22 PM
Not very well. 9-speed cogs have closer spacing than 8-speed so the shifters won't move the derailleur enough. You will get adequate shifts for a couple in each direction if you line up the middle cog exactly but it will be ragged at the extremes. You certainly will need a 9-speed chain.

Cassettes and chains are the cheapest part of any upgrade so you might as well get them right from the beginning.

Wrong.

Yes, you can do it, and it can work pretty well if done correctly.

See: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html and scroll down about 3/4 page to the section on "Alternate Cable Routing." This setup makes up for the difference in cable pull.

The shifters do not have anything to do with the chain. The cassette alone dictates the chain needed.

Al1943
05-30-06, 02:26 PM
Best to upgrade the shifters, cassette and chain at the same time. The 9-speed cassette will fit on the 8-speed hub. The old derailleurs and crankset should also work fine.

Al
roadfix
05-30-06, 02:31 PM
The 9-speed cassette will fit on the 8-speed hub.Best option, IMO.
HillRider
05-30-06, 10:11 PM
Wrong. The shifters do not have anything to do with the chain. The cassette alone dictates the chain needed.
Correct. I was talking about when he gets the 9-speed cassette. He can continue to use the current chain with the 8-speed cassette.

However, I still recommend doing the entire conversion. As I mentioned, the chain and cassette are the cheap part.
mattface
06-05-06, 09:49 AM
I changed the crank, and now I need a longer chain. I'm not going 9 speed yet because I don't have the bars I need for the new 9 speed shifters.

so new question: will 9 speed chain work on 8 speed cassette?
Sheldon Brown
06-05-06, 01:22 PM
I changed the crank, and now I need a longer chain. I'm not going 9 speed yet because I don't have the bars I need for the new 9 speed shifters.

so new question: will 9 speed chain work on 8 speed cassette?

Yes, no problem there.

Sheldon "Easy One" Brown
Sheldon Brown
06-05-06, 01:22 PM
I changed the crank, and now I need a longer chain. I'm not going 9 speed yet because I don't have the bars I need for the new 9 speed shifters.

so new question: will 9 speed chain work on 8 speed cassette?

Yes, no problem there.

Sheldon "Easy One" Brown