Bits for a commuter

[Wildfire]

Bit cheeky really, but I know there a lot of bikers here on PH.

I'm trying to build my old hardtail into a commuter, but am lacking bits.

Does anybody have:

A set of V-Brakes
A decent 1 1/82 Rigid fork
8 speed rapid fire shifter?

If not, how difficult is it to convert to 9 speed?

Do I have to rebuild the rear wheel? I've got a brand new XT Hubbed Mavic 519 with XT 8 speed cassette, but the shifter just exploded.

I'd swap a decent set of Vs for a set of Magura HS33 yellows, if anyone's interested.

[Parrot of Doom]

Going from 8 to 9-speed you may have to redish the rear wheel.

[mk1fan]

?

That's a new one on me.

Converting from a 8 to a 9 speed cassette is a bit more involved than swapping the cassette and the shifter. You'll also need some, all or none of the following;

Chain
Chainrings
Front mech
Rear mech

You can still get 8-spd shifters easily enough though. Try Chain Reaction Cycles first if you're too phobic to venture into your LBS.

As for forks On One are doing their steel forks for £50 at the moment. Alternatively, Bike Fridge on eBay do ali forks for aabout the same or carbon fibre forks for anout £100.

Edited by mk1fan on Wednesday 5th May 18:24

[Wildfire]

Hmmmmm.... a set of Alivio shifter me thinks.

Cheers for the fork link. Will get a set of Ali forks from them,

[Beyond Rational]

There is no need to redish that wheel if going to 9 speeds.