Mountain Biking - Which 8 speed shifters?

I am planning a new XC build with 8 speed components but am not sure which shifters to get. Reliability is my main concern, and was my reason for wanting to use 8 speed components. Price also is a factor, so I would prefer to keep the cost of the shifters under $60 or so. Are the '07 SX5 sram shifters the same thing as '06 x.7? Thanks for the help!

-Kyle

just get a sram x7...should work fine for 8

have you considered XT shifters. They don't have the problems that the 9 speed is prone to, but they are slightly above $60
https://secure1.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?CS=icycles&RowID=1021&All=#Top

Reliability is my main concern, and was my reason for wanting to use 8 speed components.


They don't have the problems that the 9 speed is prone to

What are these "problems" and "reliability" issues with nine speed that you guys are referring to?

have you considered XT shifters. They don't have the problems that the 9 speed is prone to, but they are slightly above $60
https://secure1.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?CS=icycles&RowID=1021&All=#Top

Firstly, what problems are the 9 speed XT RDs prone to?

Secondly, you can run most 9 speed RD as an 8 speed or even a 7 speed.

Edit: Is there even such thing as 8 speed specific XT RD?

just get a sram x7...
+1

Edit: Is there even such thing as 8 speed specific XT RD?

No, the shifters determine the amount of cable being pulled, which moves the derailleur the appropriate amount (7/8/9 speed spacing)

Paul Thumbies.

Enough of this new age mumbo jumbo. Those things just work, forever, regardless of terrain, conditions... everything. I run thumbies when I race on the east coast because I can set them to friction shift - no more crappy shifting when it gets muddy! When I'm at school in Colorado (where people say "what is this 'mud' of which you speak?) I run sram triggers or gripshift, but I think I'm just going to use thumbies all the time this year.

the RD isn't the problem, Dérailleurs are inherently 'dumb'. however, my experience, and that of several people i know, with 9 speed shimano parts are that they tend to not stay in perfect shifting order. They tend to need a lot more adjustment than the shimano 8 speed.

That said however, sram 9 speed is great, so there would be no reason to dig up 8 speed parts that will continue to get harder to find.

Oops for some reason I thought we were talking about deraileurs not shifters...stupid me.

Oops for some reason I thought we were talking about deraileurs not shifters...stupid me.
oops, probably my fault. i was thinking RD too:D

Anyone able to comment on SX5 '07 shifters vs. '06 x.7? Thought I heard somewhere that they were the same...*shrug*

Paul Thumbies.

Enough of this new age mumbo jumbo. Those things just work, forever, regardless of terrain, conditions... everything. I run thumbies when I race on the east coast because I can set them to friction shift - no more crappy shifting when it gets muddy! When I'm at school in Colorado (where people say "what is this 'mud' of which you speak?) I run sram triggers or gripshift, but I think I'm just going to use thumbies all the time this year.

I could not agree more. Definitely the most durable shifters (7,8,9 or 10 speeds) in the land. I too swapped between rapid fire and thumbies for years, and I've decided to keep the thumbies.

have you considered XT shifters. They don't have the problems that the 9 speed is prone to, but they are slightly above $60
https://secure1.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?CS=icycles&RowID=1021&All=#Top


I agree, I've owned two sets of XT 8 speed without any issues. Brand new off ebay for $62.00

Here is a link that works to the ones that I was refering to in particular
http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/Product1021

Anyone able to comment on SX5 '07 shifters vs. '06 x.7? Thought I heard somewhere that they were the same...*shrug*
you should get twist grip. they're great. i have a 5 mated to a 7 RD and it stands up well to neglect.

Suntour XC Pro 8spd thumbshifters FTW! The XT Rapidfire is good too...

I must have to agree the 'thumbies' are great, but several years ago I switched to RapidFire and never looked back! However, the decent SHimano 8 speed pods or combos Lx or XT are getting harder to find, forget XTR.but.there are always some stray deals . If you can get them...GREAT, if not move to 9sp. I plan to use Sram (Xo vs. XTR) on my next build to get a true comparison. Shop around.

Suntour XC Pro 8spd thumbshifters FTW! The XT Rapidfire is good too...
The best shifting bike I have ever owned was a Bianchi Grizzly with Suntour XC Pro 7-speed thumbshifters & RD and a Shimano 7-speed HG cassette with Suntour cassette spacers.

I think you'll be fine with which ever one you choose. But make sure you understand something up front. SRAM rear ders will NOT work with Shimano shifters. Go either all SRAM or all Shimano (sorry I have no idea if the Paul thumbies work with SRAM), and don't try to mix the two. Yes, SRAM does make gripshifters for Shimano, but Shimano shifters pull a different amount of cable (2:1 vs. 1:1).
Putting an X7 on the rear and XT shifters is just asking for trouble.

The general belief is that this year's SX5 is last years X7. Don't know for sure since I've never done a comparison, but from just looking at pictures, I can believe it.

Can anyone confirm if they are the same or not? They sure cost less!