Originally Posted by
DannoXYZ
Then the issue of RD comes in. If the one on the Alan is an 8-spd Dura-Ace, it will not work with 9-spd Dura-Ace shifters. Shimano got rid of the unique Dura-Ace cable-pull distances when they went to 9-spd and made Dura-Ace the same as the rest of the line. You may need to get 9-spd compatible RD.
This brings up an interesting possibility. Shimano 8-speed Dura-Ace shifters have the same cable pull as all Shimano 9-speed shifters.
Because of this it is possible to use any Shimano 9-speed rear shifter with an 8-speed Dura-Ace rear derailleur to shift any 8-speed Shimano cassette.
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