Bicycle Mechanics - deraileur question, Sram X9 with 8 speed?

Hey guys,

I just realized the stock Shimano Deore rear deraileur on my 05 Rockhopper sucks. I'm a bit past the point of converting everything into a 9 speed as i have new Sram Attack 8 speed shifters and a few sets of wheels with 8 speed cassettes.

All reviews point me towards a Sram X9, but nobody ever mentions whether they use it for a 8 speed or 9 speed. I just want to make sure it is compatible.

btw, the Attack shifters are +1 compared to the stock Deore stuff... I can only imagine what new deraileurs can do. Also, is it worth getting matching fronts?

Thanks in advanced.

Attack shifters won't work with a SRAM RD. The X9 RD would work with 8 or 9 speeds but only with a SRAM numbered shifter. The named shifters, such as Attack, work with Shimano RDs.

I've been very happy with the Deore RD's on two of my bikes (an 8-speed and a 7-speed). Perhaps yours is just worn/dirty/needs adjustment?

As noted the Attack shifters won't work with the X9. The reason is that the Attack shifters have a 2:1 actuation ratio and the X8 requires a 1:1 ratio. You would typically get the x9 (or X0 or X7 or X5, etc.) shifters.