Heyduke

Hey Wrenchers,

I've read and read through the threads on BFBM and sheldonbrown.com but didn't find EXACTLY what I needed to know. I have 1990 Schwinn Aluminum that's worth upgrading (IMO) because I've ridden it for so long, it fits at 64cm and well....for sentimental reasons. Anyway, to the point:

I have an 8 speed Hyperglide cassette with the old Biopace double chainrings. Is an upgrade to STI shifting as simple as installing 8/9 speed brifters? (As opposed to having a 6 or 7 speed where a new hub and cassette is required and where re-setting the frame is necessary.)

Many thanks for a concise explanation specific to the 8 speed cassette to STI upgrade.

DieselDan

Pretty much that. You need at least a right/rear brifter, a downtube cable stop with barrel adjuster, and new cable and housing. Shimano still has two 8-speed brifters: Sora and ST-R500. One exception is 8 speed Dura-Ace, as it uses a different cable pull from the others.

Heyduke

So Sora or ST-R500s are my options? None of the 9 speed stuff will work?

Thanks!

Gonzo Bob

You can also go with 9- or 10-speed. One issue with a freehub that old is that it is likely threaded for both HG and UG (see https://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#hyperglide) and if so, that limits you to cassettes that start with 12T (although there are work-arounds - see https://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ho-z.html#hyperdrivec)

Another issue is that the Biopace rings aren't ramped and pinned. They will still work with STI, though. My bike with STI does not have ramped and pinned rings.

Sheldon Brown

Boilerplate response to a Frequently Asked Question:


Even if you could find them, I wouldn't recommend buying 8-speed shifters unless they are _very_ cheap. It makes more sense to upgrade to 9-speed, since the expensive part of this conversion is the shifter, and you already need a shifter!

The only additional parts you need for 9-speed are a new chain and cassette, and these are normally consumable parts anyway--odds are yours are already close to due for replacement.

Some folks will tell you that you need a lot of other stuff to convert an 8-speed bike to 9-speed, but they're wrong.

Also, you can generally use the 9-speed shifters with your old 8-speed cassette by using the "alternate cable routing" shown at https://sheldonbrown.com/alternate

All the best,

Sheldon

DannoXYZ 

You won't need a 9-spd freehub body?

Sheldon Brown

Any Shimano 8-speed hub will also accept 9- or 10-speed cassettes.

Sheldon "https://sheldonbrown.com/speeds" Brown

Heyduke

Well, that's good news. I think I might have found a pair of 9-speed Ultegras for a really nice price. This is a good day. Thanks everyone!

Mick

Heyduke

Wait! Now what about the rear derailluer? Will my oldie would with this 9-speed get up? Anyone?

Heyduke

I guess via the alternative routing, the rear derailluer willl work. Maybe I just answer my question - it is Monday morning...

Thanks!

acorn_user

Will a front mech set up for friction shifting work with STI?
Good news on the 9 speed shifters. If I were you, I would take this opportunity to get a new cassette and chain Tiagra will work nicely.

Heyduke

I just now received my new *used* 105 ST-5500 brifters and I'm ready to install.

Question(s):

1. Am I correct in understanding (SB's Index Interchangeability Chart) that to keep my 8-speed cassette (because it's fairly new and doesn't need replaced just yet), I need to use Sheldon's Alternative Routing method? Perhaps it'll be a trial-n-error event of discovery...

2. If the 5500 brifter is both double and triple compatiable, how do I use it for a double? Is there an internal adjustment on the brifter? Or, is it just a matter of staying within the first two clicks of the shifting mechanism?

Many thanks!

Sheldon Brown

There are no adjustments to shifters. The adjustments are on the derailer, the high- and low-gear limit stop screws.

See: https://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment

Sheldon "2 Is Much Less Fussy Than 3" Brown