commutr4life

I have a road bike with Shimano 105 8 speed double setup. The shifters have been acting tricky lately. I may be able to adjust them (haven't tried yet). BUT...Nashbar has is selling Ultegra 10 speed/triple shifter set for $149 AND they have a 20% total purchase, putting them at like $130!

So, would the Ultegra 10 speed/triple shifters work on the 8 speed/double setup? Also, I have an 8/9 speed wheel set sitting around--could I get a 9 speed cassette and mount the new wheel set? And would I have to get a new crank set as well? I don't really need more gears, just seems like a good deal for a nice new shifter set...

Thanks in advance!

masiman

I think it is possible. I'll refer you to Sheldon's compatibility chart. I think it reads that you will have to set your H and L adj. screws and block off two clicks. No alternate routing needed (assuming you use a current der.), no shiftmate, etc.

JiveTurkey

For compatibility, match the speeds of the rear shifter, chain, and cassette.

The rear deraileur will work for any setup perfectly. The crank is generally fine. The front derailleur should work fine (though the space between the cages matches the chain).

Triple front shifter will work with double front derailleur, but not vice-versa.

Your current wheel and the other 8/9 wheel will work with any cassette 7- to 10-speeds.

Bottom line: If you want to change to the new shifters, expect to get new 10-speed cassette and chain.

Or, first, I'd try adjusting them; may work perfectly after.

tatfiend 

Not compatible unless you install a 10 speed casette in place of the 8 speed and also go with a 10 speed (narrower) chain. The 10 speed casette should fit the 8 speed freehub. Otherwise sprocket spacing is too different. 8, 9, 10 and, 11 speed casettes are all the same width overall so each has different spacing between sprockets, requiring different index shifters. Also probably need to install 10 speed, narrower, chain rings. Kicks the total cost up considerably.

The triple chainring shifter should work in front as long as the derailleur limit screws are set correctly so that you do not drop the chain off on the inside or outside I believe.

JiveTurkey

Yes, the rear derailleur and crank will work and likely the front derailleur, but not the cassette. 8-, 9-, and 10-speed cassettes are similar widths, which mean the spacing between cogs gets narrower as you increase the number of cogs. 10-speed shifter will pull too little cable for the wider-spaced 8- or 9-speed cassette--it may work OK for a few cogs but the difference in ratios adds up. The alternate cable routing method may be used to compensate for a 10-speed shifter and 9-speed cassette.

PS: Always match the chain to cassette.

adaminlc

Remember that a 10 speed cassette is simply 2 cogs wider than an 8 speed cassette. The spaces will be a little off. I have heard of such applications working, but not very well. If you want to upgrade, you will need to match the cassette and chain.

commutr4life

Thanks all!

SO: I would have to replace the cassette with a 10 speed, but it should fit on the same wheel set or the other 8/9 wheel set. And I should replace the chain with 10 speed chain. Cranks should be OK. Der is will work, right? Will it shift 10 or only 8? And...old chain rings are OK?

ericm979

It'll shift all 10 cogs. It's the shifter that determines how many "gears" there are... that's where the detents are. All shimano 8/9/10sp rear derailleurs have the same cable "throw", so they will interchange.

But unless you really want to swap all that stuff and go with 10sp, its likely that you could get your existing parts to work by maintaining them. Your system may just have gone out of adjustment. Usually that's caused by cable "stretch" (which is actually housing wear but who cares). Try screwing the cable "tension" adjuster on the derailleur out 1/2 turn. If that makes the shifting better but not perfect, try another 1/2 turn. If it makes it worse, go in 1/2 turn from the original position.

Chain and cassette wear can cause poor shifting, usually to/from your "favorite" cogs. The fix for that is to check the chain length and replace it if it is worn (I replace Shimano chains when they show more than .75mm on a Park Chain Checker. You can go longer but the worn chain wears out the cassettes faster and shifts poorly. I would rather replace the chain early and keep crisp shifting).

Chances are the cables and/or housings are worn, replacing them is the first thing to try after adjustment if the shifting gets unreliable.

Park tool has a nice web site with lots of maintenance info. They sell nice tools too.

Going to 10sp won't help the maintenance items, just delay the issue until the 10sp stuff wears. 10sp chains wear out a little faster than 9sp ones did.

masiman

You are correct JiveTurkey. I only looked at the brifter der. combo and neglected to look at the spacing. It will work as you say but not as well as it could. Sheldons spacing cribsheet

tippy

Sure would like to own an LBS near you if you think 20% of $149 is "like" $130.

commutr4life

HAHA. Yes, it was 20% OFF of total purchase. And the total, after shipping, was $130.74, which is quite a lot like $130, don't you think?

UPDATE: I thank you all for your advice. I will do the suggested adjustments and maintenance to the current setup. I went ahead and bought the 10 speed shifters but will keep them in the box until the current ones go out.

Thank again! Bike forums + Sheldon site + park tools site = me learning how to maintain my shhh!

tippy

Sorry ... my powers of ESP has waned lately. I should have been able to read your mind that you were referring to total cost and not total purchase even though your OP did mention total purchase and failed to mention total cost.

My bad ... I'll try to work on that ...