Does 8 speed feel more solid than 9 speed?
05-13-20, 11:08 AM
#26
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8 and 9 speed feel the same to me, and neither "skip between the gears" (or have any other issues) once properly adjusted. I've never had 10 or more. I already knew they cost more... now that I know they are unreliable to boot I will continue to avoid. 
05-13-20, 11:18 AM
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For Shimano RD's, they all use the same pull ratio up to 10 speed. Therefore, any 6-10 speed Shimano RD is interchangeable worth any other one (with a couple of pretty obscure exceptions). But Shimano, being the wizards they are at making older equipment obsolete, are hard at work with various 11 speed incompatibilities, disc brakes, DI2, and beyond. Not interested.
So 10 speed is as far as I will go with Shimano, I think. After all I have a whole fleet to take care of.
So 10 speed is as far as I will go with Shimano, I think. After all I have a whole fleet to take care of.
05-13-20, 11:27 AM
#28
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Comparing my 8 speed bike to my 9 speed it does feel like the 8 speed is slightly more solid.
the thicker chain and more spacing between gears means that it shifts better and doesn’t skip between gears. The chain has never fallen off of the 8 speed while the 9 speed has had numerous chain falls and even a chain breakage.
I imagine that 10 and 11 speed are even worse.
the thicker chain and more spacing between gears means that it shifts better and doesn’t skip between gears. The chain has never fallen off of the 8 speed while the 9 speed has had numerous chain falls and even a chain breakage.
I imagine that 10 and 11 speed are even worse.
05-13-20, 11:45 AM
#29
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Conceding that an 11-speed drive train might require maintaining proper alignment of the hanger, the difference in maintenance time from a 7-, 8-, 9-, or 10-speed drive train is unlikely to run to more than 10 minutes or so every couple of years, if that.
So: to keep any derailleur-equipped bike, ancient or modern, running more or less perfectly, keep an eye on the condition of the chain and cables (wear, lubrication, and cleanness), align the dropout (once), and try not to crash. Don't, and you don't get to blame the bike's drive train: it's operator error.
So: to keep any derailleur-equipped bike, ancient or modern, running more or less perfectly, keep an eye on the condition of the chain and cables (wear, lubrication, and cleanness), align the dropout (once), and try not to crash. Don't, and you don't get to blame the bike's drive train: it's operator error.
Last edited by Trakhak; 05-13-20 at 11:50 AM.
