8Speed/9Speed

[ratbane]

Advice please.

I'm looking for a new XT Chainset for my trusty Explosif. It's running 8speed XT, and I can only get a 9speed XT chainset to replace my existing.

Is there really any difference between the 8sp/9sp XT chainsets? Will shifting be compromised?

[Sarkmeister]

ratbane said:

Advice please.

I'm looking for a new XT Chainset for my trusty Explosif. It's running 8speed XT, and I can only get a 9speed XT chainset to replace my existing.

Is there really any difference between the 8sp/9sp XT chainsets? Will shifting be compromised?

If I remember correctly, the difference is 1 speed.

Sorry, I just had to.

[pdV6]

I happily run 8sp setups on both bikes, using 9sp chainsets (as that's pretty much all you can buy these days).

You can get a little rub from the chain in some gear combinations as the front mech cage is slightly slimmer but it's nothing to worry about.

[ratbane]

Sarkmeister said:

ratbane said:

Advice please.

I'm looking for a new XT Chainset for my trusty Explosif. It's running 8speed XT, and I can only get a 9speed XT chainset to replace my existing.

Is there really any difference between the 8sp/9sp XT chainsets? Will shifting be compromised?

If I remember correctly, the difference is 1 speed.

Sorry, I just had to.

Thanks!

But the answer is 3 speeds.

Edited by ratbane on Tuesday 31st March 13:34

[ratbane]

pdV6 said:

I happily run 8sp setups on both bikes, using 9sp chainsets (as that's pretty much all you can buy these days).

You can get a little rub from the chain in some gear combinations as the front mech cage is slightly slimmer but it's nothing to worry about.

Thanks.

[pdV6]

ratbane said:

pdV6 said:

I happily run 8sp setups on both bikes, using 9sp chainsets (as that's pretty much all you can buy these days).

You can get a little rub from the chain in some gear combinations as the front mech cage is slightly slimmer but it's nothing to worry about.

Thanks.

Just read that back and feel the need to add:

It's only on the bike which has a 9sp chainset and front mech that I get a small amount of rub.
The other bike running an 8sp mech and 9sp chainset doesn't do it.

[mk1fan]

ratbane said:

Sarkmeister said:

ratbane said:

Advice please.

I'm looking for a new XT Chainset for my trusty Explosif. It's running 8speed XT, and I can only get a 9speed XT chainset to replace my existing.

Is there really any difference between the 8sp/9sp XT chainsets? Will shifting be compromised?

If I remember correctly, the difference is 1 speed.

Sorry, I just had to.

Thanks!

But the answer is 3 speeds.

Edited by ratbane on Tuesday 31st March 13:34

Or 2 speeds if you run a double and bash set up

[big.eck]

why don't you search ebay for a new-old-stock xt item ? or you could always try www.retrobike.co.uk


seems to be a good site..........

[gbbird]

TBH, i do not think i would ever notice whether or not i was riding with a 8spd or 9 spd rear cog. You very rarely use the full range of gears.

[Parrot of Doom]

gbbird said:

TBH, i do not think i would ever notice whether or not i was riding with a 8spd or 9 spd rear cog. You very rarely use the full range of gears.

You obviously steer clear of hills then

[ratbane]

[quote=big.eck]why don't you search ebay for a new-old-stock xt item ? or you could always try www.retrobike.co.uk


seems to be a good site..........[/quote

Cheers. I've been doing that. But if a 9 spd chainset works fine, I'm happy to buy a 2009 XT.

[pdV6]

Parrot of Doom said:

gbbird said:

TBH, i do not think i would ever notice whether or not i was riding with a 8spd or 9 spd rear cog. You very rarely use the full range of gears.

You obviously steer clear of hills then

Depends on the cassette.

I'm an 8sp luddite and generally run 11/28T cassettes. This gives you exactly the same set of ratios as a 9sp 11/32 or 11/34, minus the big granny gear. As there's practically never a hill bad enough to run 34r - 22f, I don't miss having it at all. On the rare occasions I need a lower gear than 28r - 32f I just drop into the granny ring and pick an appropriate rear gear...