Mixing 8 & 9 speed components

[mousemat]

Hi,

After a bit of advice on mixing 8 & 9 speed kit. Are there any issues in using a 9 speed rear derailleur on an 8 speed system? I notice that the 8 speed shimano stuff has 10 teeth jockey wheels while the 9 speed has 11? Will the 8 spd chain work OK with the 9 spd derailleur?

Probably daft questions, but if you don't ask.........

Cheers, mousemat.

 

[Andy B]

No issues using a 9spd mech with an 8spd set up.

9spd mechs work well with 8spd chains.

The only issues that would occur are when using a 8spd chain on a 9spd cassette & visa versa, or the same with with indexed shifters.

 

[dekerfintheshed]

No problem at all in my experience. I use an 8spd chain through a 9spd mech and 9spd fr mech. Don't think you get away with 8spd chain on a 9spd cass though ?

 

[Andy B]

Don't think you get away with 8spd chain on a 9spd cass though ?

Nope, you can't run that combo, nor a 9spd on a 8spd cassette, it's due to the chain width differing between 8 & 9 spd set ups.

 

[mousemat]

Cheers guys.

 

[kingroon]

Did you get that mech already Phil? :shock:

 

[amt27]

sorry to hijack the thread,

but can you run a 9 speed set up with a 8 speed thumbie on friction, is there the same cable pull through?

 

[Andy B]

I think you can do that, as 8 & 9spd cassettes are the same total width, so in theory the same amount of cable would be needed to pull the mech to it's limit.

 

[Dave_H]

You can run an 8 speed chain on a 9 speed cassette - it's just a little noisier that's all as the chain plates will rub a little on the cassette.

I would also image you could get away with running a 9 speed chain on an 8 speed cassette if you were to accept a little compromise in the smoothness of shifting, particularly when things get muddy.

 

[Andy B]

8 & 9spd chains are different widths, 9spd being thinner. I think that you could cause excessive wear by using the 'wrong' chain.

But I haven't tried it, if you have & it works then fair enough, but I personally wouldn't recommend it.