Originally Posted by
DaveSSS
8 speed was replaced with 9 speed in 1997. It's pretty much dead. Time to move on to 10 or 11 speed.
Possibly. But that would require a new rear hub, RD, shifters, cassette and chain, and possibly chainrings or a crankset, and FD.
A changeover probably not worth the cost on an old bike. Better to salvage this as a "B" bike and buy new. OTOH, if a decent mechanic can get it working well for not too much investment, it might last long enough to hold out for 12 speed.