BTW 9 spd is NOT an upgrade...

[soupboy]

Not to be a retrogrouch, but assuming you are comparing apples to apples (i.e. XT 8spd vs. XT 9spd) you gain zilch by making the switch from 8spd to 9spd. That is, unless you like a flimsier chain, more delicate cogs/rings and decreased performance in typical MN conditions (mud, snow, salt, etc.).

If it is just your derailleur you're replacing the only difference between Deore, LX and XT will be finish and weight (negligible to most). XTR is a whole 'nutha animal and, moreover, pricepoint.

Get the XT if you can afford it. Any current "9spd" derailleur should work with 8spd drivetrains as it is the shifters, not the derailleur, that control the throw from cog to cog. If you don't need to replace chains, shifters, cogs, or rings - don't. If you absolutely have/want to - buy a whole new drivetrain package from a e-tailer like Jenson, Supergo or Pricepoint and install yourself (not hard).

Even if you have to buy new tools, it will be far less than your LBS will charge and you'll have the added benefit of know exactly how your bike works when it breaks down again (it will).

Personally, I "up(de)graded" to XT/XTR 9spd two years ago. Waste of $. Several broken chains, bent cassettes and a million ghost/mis-shifts later I simply went to JensonUSA and purchased a boatload of new old stock XT 8spd shifters and XTR stainless cassettes. Beautiful. Only after 18 months am I now experiencing shifting issues in the rear mech which I (hopefully) attribute to just general wear and tear vs. product inadequacies.

Still run my XTR (8 or 9spd) derailleur and Race Face 9-spd chainrings with my 8spd cassette, chains and shifters.

I digress,

Sean

[soupboy]

nm

[SilverAthlon]

Originally posted by soupboy187
If it is just your derailleur you're replacing the only difference between Deore, LX and XT will be finish and weight (negligible to most). XTR is a whole 'nutha animal and, moreover, pricepoint.

Hardly true. As you move up from LX to XT and XTR, they use more precise machining, which makes an overall better performing product; holding adjustments, and more resistant to wear etc. Also, they start replacing the plastic bushings with ball bearings, or at least metal parts. Very key, for the life department of the part. Also, the ability to replace certain pieces of your part instead of having to replace the whole thing. Every group you move up is more precise, feeling just a tad different if you were to compare side to side.

[EmL34]

I've had 9 spd since the season it came out and have noticed something about chains.

Chains that I put on break.

Chains that the LBS puts on do not break.

I will either never put chains on, or always take them to the LBS.

I like going to the LBS anyway.

[Kingbozo]

Have had 9sp since 2001 (old bike has SEVEN! Old school) Haven't broken a chain yet. I did have the XTR rear derailleur completely disintegrate for no apparent reason, but it was warrantied and I have had no problems with the replacement.

[martini]

Sean is completely, absolutely, right. 9 speed is NOT an upgrade. I tried it out a few summers ago in Colorado. I thought that having a 12-34 gear ratio would help out in the hills. First, I broke a chain. Then I bent a cog. Then I broke another chain. As soon as I got home to Minnesota, I reapplied my 8 speed stuff, and I have had zero issues since.

I've worked in the bike industry for 13 years, as a mechanic, sales, and manager at the retail level, and also as tech support on the industry/wholesale level. I've got plenty of experience, to say the least. QBP began seeing MANY more warranty issus as soon as 9 speed mountian stuff came out. I know because I took most of it back.

SA, Sean is also right on the breakdown of parts. Deore, LX and XT are pretty much the same beast, with only materials differing. XTR IS completely different(especailly now). Much lighter parts, better materials for pivot mechanisms.

I too have stocked up on my 8 speed parts. 3 XTR 12-32 cassettes, 3 sets of thumb shifters. I should be good to go for a while. Of course, I DO run SS most of the time though!