Suntour/shimano compatibility and 'secret' 8

[ishaw]

I'm just wondering whether shimano cassettes will work with suntour xc pro mechs and shifters as on. Pst about my planned build, someone mentioned they weren't quite compatible, similar to how shimano and SRAM aren't.

Can anyone verify this?

I'm planning a build that may well end up using xc pro throughout, but I have a few 8 speed shimano cassettes so would prefer to use these than buy more but in suntour flavour (which reminds me, if there was any incompatibility between the two brands, does it still exist and how would I identify an o,der vs newer suntour cassette?).

On the same front, I've never done it but know that both the xc pro and shimano thumbies of the era had a (not so) secret 8th click (well more of an end of clicks, but you can still move the shifter type thing). Is this easy enough to tune in/set up? I assume that you just set up the rest of the gears, then make sure that the cable/shifter stop allows the mech to move to the 8th cog, but not past it.

Cheers all.

Ian

 

[Coleman]

I have got it to work with 7 speeds before, HG cassette and Suntour mechs/shifters. It was OK but a bit temperamental and needed more regular adjustment - not sure about 8 speed - if you have the bits give it a go!

I don't think that you can make a Suntour cassette fit a Shimano freehub and the other way - Shimano have a lock ring that screws into the inner radius of the freehub and Suntour have a threaded small gear that screws onto the outer radius of the free hub. Someone else may know a clever fix for this though.

I am running 7 speed XTII thumbies on a 8 speed set up on my Explosif - works fine, (make sure the shifter is in the extra click when you connect up the cable - I find that as its not such a positive position it can slip out).

Have a look in the archive for info on suntour cassettes - there are also some really good scans of catalogues on the interweb - google will take you there or pm me if you get stuck and I'll have a look

As with most things there's no substitute for giving it a go - you can't do any harm and will learn loads in the process!

Have fun

 

[yo-Nate-y]

My '93 Yo has a 8-speed XTR cassette, XTR RD, XC Pro FD, 8-speed XC Pro thumb shifters, Grafton cranks, and XC Pro rings and it works great.

 

[ishaw]

My '93 Yo has a 8-speed XTR cassette, XTR RD, XC Pro FD, 8-speed XC Pro thumb shifters, Grafton cranks, and XC Pro rings and it works great.

Thats good news for me, a few people have said the same, but a few the opposite so wanted to clarify before deciding on the drive train.

 

[brocklanders023]

Interested in this as well as I'm planning on using a Suntour cassette with Shimano gears. Will it be ok or will my head fall off?

 

[yo-Nate-y]

What do you mean by Suntour cassette and Shimano gears?

 

[brocklanders023]

Suntour rear hub and block with Shimano front + rear mech, crank with rings and shifters

 

[FluffyChicken]

The fronts will never be a problem really

and the 8 speed suntour is more compatible than the 7 speed suntour as the shifter does the indexing, you could probably make your own indexing plate (you clean/file this up to sharpen up the indexing when it wears, that is if it really bothers you
Mechs are the same apart from float in the top jockey. Shimano mech will give you more leeway.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

8 speed XT controlled with suntour XC pro thumbies. Best shifting I've ever had.

 

[drcarlos]

Don't think there is an extra click on the 7's XC Pro thumbies at least I don't think I found one on mine. Anyway it's just easier to find 8's Suntour thumbies anyway.

Carl.