7-8 speed help

[Karmann]

Hi guys Ive been lurking on here a while and just bought myself a Haro Extreme from I think 1991. It's all standard kit ( LX ) but the shifters/levers I find uncomfortable to use, can I fit later XT 8 speed shifter/levers?

 

[stewlewis]

If it's 8 speed already then yes.

 

[Karmann]

It's standard 1991 LX and 7 speed

 

[stewlewis]

Sorry yeah, I missed that.
If the hub is 7 speed specific it won't be wide enough to take an 8 speed cassette, the spacing between the sprockets differs on 7/8 speed so the later 8 speed shifters won't work too well with the current 7 speed cassette.

What don't you like about the current shifters? Perhaps they're full o crud.

 

[Karmann]

It's not so much the shifters it's the brake levers feel abit crap

 

[hamster]

Are they V levers? If so they pull too much cable and so the braking will be pathetic.

 

[Karmann]

There canti levers?

 

[was8v]

An 8spd sifter will work fine with a 7spd cassette as the spacing is so similar.

You will have an extra click at the top end but the mech should already be setup not to hit the spokes anyway so you would never notice.

Make sure the new brake levers match your brakes (canti or V)

PS you can't do the same with 9sp or 10sp components as the spacing is different.

 

[hamster]

Sorry, I didn't read your original post carefully. I take it the issue is weak braking with existing (1991) levers.

It sounds like the poor braking is caused by badly setup cantis - if the straddle cables are at an angle of less than 90 degrees you will have weak braking guaranteed. You need to adjust the brake pads so that they poke out more from the canti towards the wheel.

There is a good explanation on the Sheldon Brown website.

 

[elPedro666]

Ditto, '91 LX should give decent braking with well set-up cantis