Bicycle Mechanics - 1x8 vs 1x9

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slopvehicle
10-03-07, 11:23 AM
I'd like to build up an old mountain frame into a 1x8 or 1x9 commuter from parts I've got lying around. Which setup would be more reliable?


the 8-speed option:

40t chainring
13-25 Sora cassette
8sp Alivio right shifter pod
Deore rear derailleur

the 9-speed option:

40t chainring
11-34 LX cassette
9sp Deore right shifter pod
Deore rear derailleur


fwiw I don't really need the added range of the 9-speed setup for commuting. But the lure of the higher-quality Deore pod (as opposed to the Alivio pod) is tempting. Will the 9-speed be any more likely to throw a chain, given the wider range cassette and more flexible / narrow links?

Bill Kapaun
10-03-07, 01:42 PM
My question would be-
Is the 40/13 enough gear for you?
For commuting, I'd go for the 13-14-15 top gears vs the 11-13-15 for "my" bike. I have a 48T BIG Ring though. The 48/13 works out good for me for my highest gear. (1 gear higher than I expect to use)
I like close steps for my 'cruising" gears.
YMMV
Steev
10-03-07, 02:35 PM
I'd go with the 8 speed for the wider cheaper chains.

roadfix
10-03-07, 02:39 PM
It all depends on which indexed shifter you already have in your junk box.
Al1943
10-03-07, 02:58 PM
It all depends on which indexed shifter you already have in your junk box.

roadfix makes a good point.

An alternative may be to combine cogs from both cassettes and come up with a 13-26. My favorite 9-speed cassette is a 13-26 that I made by using the middle cogs out of a 12-34 XTR cassette and other cogs I had lying around.

Al
rmfnla
10-03-07, 03:06 PM
It all depends on which indexed shifter you already have in your junk box.

My impression is that he has both shifters and wants opinions on which to use.

Did I miss something?
roadfix
10-03-07, 03:09 PM
My impression is that he has both shifters and wants opinions on which to use.

Did I miss something?I think you're right...:)
slopvehicle
10-03-07, 03:25 PM
actually shifters are the one thing I don't have. I have neither type!
slopvehicle
10-03-07, 03:30 PM
My question would be-
Is the 40/13 enough gear for you?
For commuting, I'd go for the 13-14-15 top gears vs the 11-13-15 for "my" bike. I have a 48T BIG Ring though. The 48/13 works out good for me for my highest gear. (1 gear higher than I expect to use)
I like close steps for my 'cruising" gears.
YMMV

I currently commute between NE and NW Portland every day. it's relatively flat, and the worst I ever have to climb is the approach to the Broadway bridge. right now I have this particular bike set up as a 40x17 singlespeed. It's a pretty low gear, but it keeps my commuter bike from doing much other than just commuting. I think a few more gears in either direction would make it much more flexible.
rmfnla
10-03-07, 03:49 PM
actually shifters are the one thing I don't have. I have neither type!

Figures.

BTW, the reason I haven't tossed in my $.02 is I have really bad bike-itis and my way of approaching this project would be to have a custom frame built and outfit it with as much titanium as I could find.

I used to be this way with cars until I went to the Henry Ford clinic; I'm looking for similar help in the cycling world.
Sheldon Brown
10-03-07, 04:30 PM
I'd like to build up an old mountain frame into a 1x8 or 1x9 commuter from parts I've got lying around. Which setup would be more reliable?

...Will the 9-speed be any more likely to throw a chain, given the wider range cassette and more flexible / narrow links?No. 9-speed cassettes are no wider than 8-speeds, so the chain angle won't be any worse.

Sheldon "Hope It Has Nice Long Chainstays" Brown