Originally Posted by
Puget Pounder
I've seen some set ups where the barcons won't pull through the 9 speeds and some where they barely make it to 10 with limit screws all the way out. I guess it depends on shifter/derailleur combo. I've heard a lot of people say that friction shifting on >8 speed clusters gets a little twitchy. A few have said that it's actually really nice because the chain is less likely to sit inbetween 2 gears. Something to keep in mind.
Do recall that plenty of bikes come stock with bar end shifters (with friction modes) and 9 speed clusters and have no trouble. In fact, every bar end shifter made (Except the new 10 speeds, or so I've heard) have a friction mode, that should say enough.