1998 Co-Pilot, 8 speed with bar-end shifters. The left (front) shifter went out on us today.

It looks like we can either replace the shifters with another 8 speed set or change to 9 speed. Since it was just the front shifter that went out, I can replace just the front & leave the rear alone. However when it comes time to buy a new cassette and/or chain, I could then change to 9 or leave it at 8.

What are the pros/cons of changing to 9 speed? Aside from one more gear, is 9 better than 8? Is 8 more durable / reliable? How about the eventual availability of 8 speed cassettes chains?

Thanks.

If it were me, I'd buy a new set of 9-speed barcons, install the left shifter only and stay with 8-speed for the time being. Then, when other components start to go (cassette, chainrings) think more seriously about moving to 9-speed (and you'll already have the lever ready to use).

Most folks seem to agree that 8-speed is a bit more durable than 9, mainly due to the chain. However, lots of people are doing just fine with 9-speed setups (including me). Certainly, 8-speed cassettes will eventually be hard to find. Well, it already is hard to find a good quality 8-speed cassette; you are mainly relegated to Ebay for NOS cassettes (my MTB is still 8-speed, so I know they aren't all that easy to find).

To upgrade to 9 speed you'll need a new cassette and chain, of course, and possibly new chainrings (although if you stay with barcons you can probably get away without 9-speed rings).

One more gear, just as durable/reliable (really... assuming the one-time use pin is installed correctly or a reuseable link is used), NOS and OEM parts are still available today (stock up) and wholesalers like QBP will continue to source aftermarket replacements sold under generic names for 8 and 9 speed so long as there is a demand. 8 speed is a bit cheaper.

I switched from 8 to 9 speed back in 1999 and never changed my cranks/chainrings, it's only when you get to 10 speed that chains can become narrow enough to drop into the gaps between older cranks.

As far as the value of adding another gear, we alternate between 9 and 10 speed these days and the way we ride I like tightly-spaced gearing and I really can't tell the difference between a 9 and 10 speed 12x27t cassette, but can tell the difference when we use a Campy 13x29t 10 speed... because we get a bonus gear that we can actually use: the 29t.

I have a '93 Santana Visa that had a 7 speed (28 tooth) freewheel and 140mm spacing, so I had a bit more work to do to go 9 speed. I cold-set my dropouts to 145mm, built new wheels with a Shimano 9 speed hub, found a taken-off set of 9 speed ($50) barcons, mounted an 11-32 cassette and a new chain, and it was ready to go. Everything else, including the old derailleur remained. The bike shifted perfectly front and back. I have since gone to a Mega XT derailleur and a 12-34 cassette. I traded off the 11 tooth cog, which I don't miss and the gaps are manageable. The effort was well worth it. If I had your bike and hubs, I wouldn't hesitate to convert...it is a simple and inexpensive plug and play conversion! And, in my opinion, 9 speed components are much more readily available, at least for now.

There are a lot of options with 9 speed cassettes. Take a look here:

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/k7.html#9

I have moved on 10 speed, 50/39/28 front, 11-28 rear.

I did end up getting 9 speed bar end shifters & installed the front shifter this weekend. I will replace the rear (right) shifter from 8 spd to 9 spd when I need to replace either the chain or cassette.

You will need to check to see if your freewheel body is 9 speed compatable. The earlier 8 speed had an external thread and the last sprocket screwed on. There was no lock ring.

Dean V makes a good point about the early 8 speed hubs, but if your bike was built in 1998, I don't think that it is an issue. Easy to check. If it is the early type, availablility will be almost nil!