oh shi(f)t

[cyfa2809]

im wondering if i can use an 8 speed shifter with a 9 speed mech. im quite sure you can, just wanted to check oh also, shifter is sram trx which is shimano compatible, will it work with an sram x9 mech? hmm, dont think it will due to pull ratios, but has anyone tried?
advice please

 

[S8-Tom]

You can't mix 8 & 9sp stuff. Shimano/Shimano compatible and Sram won't work either.

 

[legrandefromage]

***EDIT*** having missed the SRAM shifter bit, the following applies to Shimo shifters or Shimano compatable shifters:

You can use a shimano 9spd mech for the rear but fronts have different cable pull and are a nightmare.

SRAM are sometimes 1:1 where as Shimano are 1:2 actuation which means they dont work together.

I've said this a gazzillion times but just about any Shimano slant parallelogram rear mech from around 1987/8 onwards will work all the way through till 9spd.

'Cos I've done many times.

 

[cyfa2809]

ah i see, i thought as much. well i have the x7 shifter to go in place of trx and its nine speed
just thought, surely i could have a compatible system, 8 speed shifter, nine speed mech and just stop the mech from going 'that far'. i.e. to the ninth gear, prevent with adjuster screws?

 

[legrandefromage]

ah i see, i thought as much. well i have the x7 shifter to go in place of trx and its nine speed
just thought, surely i could have a compatible system, 8 speed shifter, nine speed mech and just stop the mech from going 'that far'. i.e. to the ninth gear, prevent with adjuster screws?

didnt see the SRAM shifter bit - apologies

I've never used new SRAM stuff - cant help with that, only Shimano bodges for me

 

[Andy B]

im wondering if i can use an 8 speed shifter with a 9 speed mech. im quite sure you can, just wanted to check oh also, shifter is sram trx which is shimano compatible, will it work with an sram x9 mech? hmm, dont think it will due to pull ratios, but has anyone tried?
advice please

TRX shifter & X9 rear mech will not work due to the different cable pull on the mech & shifter

To use the X9 rear mech you need a Sram X5/7/9/0 shifter

You can run 8spd set ups on a 9spd mech though, just have to have the right shifter for the mech.

Modern stuff:

Shimano rear mech = either a Shimano shifter, or Sram TRX, Attack or Rocket

Sram X series rear mech needs a Sram x5/7/9/0 shifter

Front mechs work with any shifter.

 

[sic_nick]

Shimano 8 speed rear shifter with an 8 speed rear block will work with a 9 speed rear mech as the shifter determines the cable pull (so will work with all the mechs as LGF has said). A 9 speed shifter with 8 speed rear block will not work even if you adjust the limits as the spacing between the cogs differs between 8 and 9 speeds.

 

[cyfa2809]

ok cheers for the help guys
i will be going for 9 9 9
thats nine speed shifter (sram x7)
nine speed cassette (yet to buy/swap/procure)
and nine speed mech (sram x9)

seems easiest

 

[Andy B]

^^^ Yup

the modern SLX cassette is very good value for it's weight (not much heavier than XT & a hell of a lot cheaper!)

KMC or Sram chains work well for me on my drivetrains (a mix of Shimano cassette, Sram rear mechs & Shimano front mechs)

 

[cyfa2809]

i dont normally pay more than £15 for a cassette :roll:
normally have an sram chain though, havent tried different, i stick to what i know because it works :roll:
currently got sram pg820 cassette and sram pc850 chain i think, and deore lx rear mech and e thirteen chainring.
i got the chain and cassette for £7, new, a few months ago when i had some ebay vouchers bargain!