Larry64

I have a giant OCR3 and I am lookink to pike up some 105 part over the winter for some upgrads. Can I use 9 speed parts as replacement on my 8 speed system. I only need 8 speed, I just wont to shift better. I was looking at an fd-5504 9 speed brase on in the front and an rd-5501 long cage in the rear and then ST-R500 STI shifters. the derailers are on ebay for about $50.00 for both and the shifters from Nashbar for for about $185.00. Love the bike and don't mind putting a few bucks in it. The fram is the same on all the OCR's just better bits.

yairi

The derailleurs don't care how many speeds you have, the 9-speed stuff will work fine. The shifters have to have the same number of speeds as the cassette. If you want you could always get a nine-speed cassette as well (pocket change) and a 9-speed chain. Since you're willing to upgrade the shifters anyway.

Larry64

If I change the cassette, the stock one is SRAM, and chain will I need the chamg the chainrings? What the hell, in for a penny, in for a pound.

Steev

Your current chainrings will work.

Al1943

You'll need Shimano 9-speed shifters, cassette, and chain. The Shimano 8-speed derailleurs will be compatible unless they are Dura-Ace. The 8-speed crankset will be fine.

Al

Wino Ryder

If you change the cassette to nine speed then you'll have to use nine speed shifters. The cable pull is different between 8 and 9 speed. As for your chain rings, they'll work with 9-speed too. I believe I still have the original 8-speed STI shifters before I switched over to Campy.

jamiewilson3

You can in fact use 9 sp shifters with 8 speed if you use the alternate cable setup described on Sheldon Brown's website. Once you wear out your current 8 sp cassette and chain, go ahead and buy 9 speed and use the standard setup.

Your 8 sp cranks are fine with 9 sp, so no need to change there. The main cost with changing is the cranks and the shifters. Since you are buying the shifters, might as well get a 9 sp cassette and chain at the same time and be done with it.

blamp28

No real improvement in the front Der. You will notice the most bang for the buck in shifters and rear der. put your money there.

Larry64

Well, I just finished putting on my 105 front and rear dérailleurs. NICE. The front is constructed a little better, but the rear is sweet. Cast aluminum, not plastic and stampings. Now to find my 105 8 speed brifters. My LBS thinks they have a new take off set in the back.