Will Jenkins

Hi,
Ive got a bike with an 8 speed cassette (shimano) and want to know if its possible to connect this to a 105 ergoshifter. At the moment its got 105 throughout with 105 downtube shifters. Can I do this and which one would I need - 10 speed or 9 speed?
Thanks, Will

sch

You refer to a Campy ergoshifter? Take a look at the Jtek site for mix and match
options here. https://www.jtekengineering.com/shiftmate.htm
You planning to swap the cassette as well for a 9-10 speed SRAM or Shimano
or stay with the 8spd?

Will Jenkins

Sorry, I meant a shimano 105 lever not a campag one. From that site that you showed me it would imply that my 8 speed cassette is good enough for the 9 speed lever. Am I correct, I just want to make sure before I buy the lever, that Im buying the correct one.

Little Darwin

The way I read it is that a Shimnano 9 speed lever will work with an 8 speed cassette if you run it with the appropriate Shiftmate...

Technically, you should match exactly the number of cogs with the shifter.

To do it right, the levers are the expensive part.

Since the adapter is $35 plus shipping, if I were in your situation, I would just add a 9 speed cassette and a 9 speed chain to the order and get 9 speed functionality instead of 8 speed with an adapter. This would lead to a true 9 speed for just a little more than the adapter would cost. From what I have read here in the forums, the derailleurs should be fine for 9 speed.

demoncyclist

If you want to use your existing 8 speed cassette, you need to find 8 speed shifters. If you can only find 9 speed shifters, you can fit a 9 speed cassette on your existing hub, or 10 speed shifters and cassette. You can also use a 9 speed shifter with your 8 speed cassette and a Shiftmate model #2.

Will Jenkins

Ok thanks. So what youre saying is that all the components (front and rear derailiers + chainset) will be fine, I should just change the cassette.

Am I correct in saying that 7,8 and 9 speed shimano cassettes are the same width, because Ive got another set of wheels that I could use on this (currently with a 7 speed cassette) and change it to a 9 speed one for use with the 9 speed shifters.

Thans for your help.

demoncyclist

8,9 and 10 are about the same width. To run a 7 on a newer hub you need to put a spacer behind the cassette. 8 and up will not fit on a 7 speed hub.

JiveTurkey

The components that need to match the number of gears are: shifters (unless you use the Shiftmate), cassette, and chain. The rear derailleur will be fine and the front derailleur and chainrings should be fine.

Be aware that the freehub on the other set of wheels with the 7-speed cassette may be only able to take 7- or 6-speed cassettes, but a wider 8, 9, 10-speed freehub may be transplanted. If there is a 4.5mm spacer behind the cassette, then the freehub is likely 8/9/10-speed; no spacer means it's probably 7-speed. https://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#transplant

Al1943

If you now have 9-speed Shimano shifters a 9-speed Shimano cassette would be your best bet.

Al