Upgrading derailleur on Downtube

[evh]

Hi everyone,

I have a 8 speed DownTube VIII FS and I'm looking to upgrade the rear derailleur to a SRAM X.7. Am I correct in thinking that I'll have to upgrade the shifter at the same time? If so, can I use the SRAM X.7 trigger, even though it's a 9 speed? Are there any another derailleurs that I should be considering?

Thanks,

Ed.

[doco]

Hi Ed, I am doing about the same thing for my folder

yes, you can use a 9speed trigger for your 8 speed

the x7 dérailleur is the ESP 1:1 actuation, so just be sure to use a ESP 1:1 actuation shifter

I personally like the Sram grips and I have upgraded mine to the x9 rear, cassette and x9 gripshift

and I have the Sram x5 8speed on my Swift and no problems and nice precise shifting

Ed, before you do this you also might need to upgrade your cassette to a 9speed, and Sram casstte will fit on Shimano hubs 8/9

I may be wrong here, but the shifter and the cassette must match

the deralleur will do a 7,8,or 9speed

if you decide on the Sram, one Sram series you will be able to mix with Shiamno and Sram..and the x series you must make sure the shifter/rear match with the ESP 1:1