I'm thinking of making some changes....

[manual63]

My P.2 came with Alivio levers and shifters, which are a one piece unit for each. I don't like them and think the levers are too long for my taste. I have some nice Avid levers on my Schwinn with a cool adjustment that allows me to set up the pull on the cable. I want another set of levers like that and they seem priced nicely too. I also will need new shifters for my Schwinn if I move the parts I like on the Schwinn (Deore 8 speed shifters and Avid adjustable levers) to my P.2. Now, since my Schwinn is an XC ride, I might want to upgrade to 9 speed. So if I get 9 speed shifters, I will only need a 9 speed cassette and chain........right?

Has anyone done this and do you think it would be worth upgrading to 9 speed? Maybe I should just get the 8 speed XT shifters and leave it (my XC ride) an 8 Speed? I am not sure what to do.

Also, would the Avid adjustable levers make it easier for me to get better feel out of my Hayes machanical disks on my P.2 or should I just get different levers?

[Trevize1138]

I was skeptical about the whole 9-speed thing until I fixed up my wife's bike which still has a 8-speed. I tested out the shifting after an adjustment and found out I was tempted to shift to my larger chainring! I almost never need to shift to my large chainring on my 9-speed.

And that, folks, is the extent of my knowledge of the difference between 8 and 9 speeds. ;)

[KleinCrazy]

Yes, A Nice set of Avid levers will make your mechanicals feel much better. I have a set of Avid Ultimates on mine and they are great.

If you go this route, I have a set of XTR 9 speed shift pods that I need to get rid of. Let me know if your interested.

James

[Tetreves]

Originally posted by manual63

Has anyone done this and do you think it would be worth upgrading to 9 speed? Maybe I should just get the 8 speed XT shifters and leave it (my XC ride) an 8 Speed? I am not sure what to do.


I looked into this a while back for my 98 stumpjumper. I'm not 100% sure on this, but here goes...

For my bike, I would need:
Chain
Front/rear deraillers
Front/rear shifters
Crank
Cassette
Rear hub (and wheel rebuild)
:(


Ouch...the cost for the gear I wanted was almost $500.
The reasoning behind all this is the 9 speed chain is of a smaller gauge than the 8 speed chain (it's narrower).

So your deraillers wouldn't move the chain right on the sprokets that won't seat the chain properly. Also the cassette needs a different spacing on the hub (I think) so you need a different sized hub (and consequently a wheel rebuild).

If you find a cheaper way to go to 9 speed, please let me know...

Also, I have Avid SD-1.9L levers and I LOVE them!

-ed

[martini]

Yes, get the avids for the P2.

No, don't go 9 speed on the Moab. I had the worst luck with 9 spd chains. Every one I put on I broke. Not that I haven't broken 8 spd stuff, but the frequency is waaaayy lower. The durability of 8 speed stuff, I've found is higher. The parts seem to be better made for some reason(this is from 13 years of shop and industry exp.) I'd suggest going for the 8 speed XT shifters. Cheaper now, and in the long run as 8 speed parts are really coming down in price as the lemmings keep going out to buy 9 speed stuff.

If you Do decide to the 9 speed route. You need:

chain
shifters
cassette

the fr and rr der will work. all they do is shuttle the chain to and fro. the hub is fine. 9 spd cassettes were designed to work on 8 speed bodies(hell, the new DA 10 spd will fit too!). Chainrings'll work too, but it is suggested that you replace them with a new chain and cassette.

[mtnbykr]

go ss...


k

[sidxc]

I tried the 8spd to 9spd upgrade, without changing the rings. One word Chainsuck. every time i would shift under load (yes i shouldnt do this) the chain would get sucked inbetween the rings.
finaly broke down and got new cranks.

[SilverAthlon]

Excellent quote SidXC :eyeroll:

[martini]

Originally posted by sidxc
I tried the 8spd to 9spd upgrade, without changing the rings. One word Chainsuck. every time i would shift under load (yes i shouldnt do this) the chain would get sucked inbetween the rings.
finaly broke down and got new cranks.

My bet is that your rings were worn pretty bad. I used 8 spd rings on my 9 set up, and it worked fine. The rings were new as was the chain(s).

[manual63]

Originally posted by martini
Yes, get the avids for the P2.

No, don't go 9 speed on the Moab. I had the worst luck with 9 spd chains. Every one I put on I broke. Not that I haven't broken 8 spd stuff, but the frequency is waaaayy lower. The durability of 8 speed stuff, I've found is higher. The parts seem to be better made for some reason(this is from 13 years of shop and industry exp.) I'd suggest going for the 8 speed XT shifters. Cheaper now, and in the long run as 8 speed parts are really coming down in price as the lemmings keep going out to buy 9 speed stuff.

If you Do decide to the 9 speed route. You need:

chain
shifters
cassette

the fr and rr der will work. all they do is shuttle the chain to and fro. the hub is fine. 9 spd cassettes were designed to work on 8 speed bodies(hell, the new DA 10 spd will fit too!). Chainrings'll work too, but it is suggested that you replace them with a new chain and cassette.

I know when I used to race I broke chains all the time. Maybe I should stay with 8 speed so I have less risk of breaking a chain. I can also find good 8 sp XT shifter pods fairly cheap. Thanks again dudes!!!!!!!!!!1

[sidxc]

My bet is that your rings were worn pretty bad. I used 8 spd rings on my 9 set up, and it worked fine. The rings were new as was the chain(s).

Only about 600 miles. In 1999 when we started seeing the 9 spd hype every 1 and there brother was trying to do a cheap upgrade sure it works if you like slugish shifting, and chainsuck. I agree old 8 spd XT is the sh@T, but a complete 9 spd group shifts smoother, thx to 11 tooth pulleys in the rear der. and the new profile of the 9spd front ders.
Cheap 9 spd chains break or should i say any chain made by Shimano. Try a Sram pc 99, or pc 68 for you 8spders