8-speed cassette and 9-speed crank

[Nickel]

Hello --- I was wondering how well (if at all) a 9-speed crank would run with an 8-speed cassette and 8-speed chain? I get the impression that you can run it that way but not in reverse (8-speed crank and 9-speed cassette). Any help is appreciated :D

[stoneage]

First, do you mean derailleur? There really isn't any difference between a 8, 9, or 10 speed crank and rings. I have a 10 speed rear derailleur and shifter that I am using with a 9 speed cassette. You just turn the limit screw in to eliminate one of the shift points. I have heard that there is an 'invisible' 9th click on some shifters that allows a nine speed cassette to be used with 8 speed shifters. Nigel, Soupboy, Hamer, Bueller?

[Tetreves]

To answer your question simply:

It should work fine.

There are do's and do not's to swapping 8,9,10 speed components. With what you are doing, it should work fine.

You should keep the shifters, chain, and cassette matching, though.

[Nickel]

Thanks Ed and Bill for your comments.

First, do you mean derailleur? There really isn't any difference between a 8, 9, or 10 speed crank and rings. I have a 10 speed rear derailleur and shifter that I am using with a 9 speed cassette. You just turn the limit screw in to eliminate one of the shift points. I have heard that there is an 'invisible' 9th click on some shifters that allows a nine speed cassette to be used with 8 speed shifters. Nigel, Soupboy, Hamer, Bueller?

I wasn't sure about the chainrings since the cranksets seem to come '9-speed' and I didn't know if it mattered. That's a good point to know about the derailler though. Have you had any problems with your 9-speed? I have heard mixed reviews on the durability.