|   8-speed drivetrain component futures | Quill
Dec 13, 2002 5:40 PM | | Last year I lucked into a used but very well-maintained '98 titanium 8-speed hardtail which suits me perfectly. I don't ride it hard, though I guess I do my share of crashing (more through ineptitude than aggressiveness). The frame will probably last longer than I do... I don't see myself getting rid of this bike. My question is, should I start keeping an eye out for deals on replacement 8-speed components? Are there a bunch of hardcore 8-speeders out there hoovering up all the parts, or do you think they'll be available for the next few years? I know that in a pinch I could go 9-speed, but that seems both unnecessary and somehow out of keeping with the character of the bike.
tia- q |
| well... | uber-stupid
Dec 13, 2002 5:54 PM | | As long as your shifters are of lasting quality, you should be ok. 9 speed wheels fit 8 speed cogs, and I think 9 speed rings will work with 8 speed stuff ok.
I've seen some 8 speed cogs here and there on ebay, but most of the 8 speed bikes I've seen are hybrids and real entry level stuff... so it might not be a bad idea to stock up on one or two, just in case. It's hard to say what the market will be doing in a few years, since Campy already has 10 speed models out for road bikes, and SC's V-10 DH bike is working with a wider dropout setup in the rear, which may or may not set the stage for even MORE stuff to filter its way back there, if wider rear hubs become a new standard. |
| re: 8-speed drivetrain component futures | toonces
Dec 13, 2002 9:29 PM | | Naw, there's no need to stock up on 8-speed components. Everyone knows 9-speed is king and always will be. 8-speed is archaic and obsolete so don't even bother. What? That noise of metal parts colliding and crashing down in my closet? Why no, those aren't my stack of 8-speed XTR cassettes and XT 8-speed shifters. Don't be silly, ignore that noise... ;o) |
| SRAM makes a nice 8 speed cassette and shifters if you like twis | upNdown
Dec 14, 2002 6:42 AM | | SRAM makes a nice 8 speed cassette and shifters if you like twisters. Their cassette is not their top of the line stuff, but its about 300 grams and shifts great and is dirt cheap. Shifters you can still get in the 9.0 series.
If you prefer shimano, I dunno about shifters, but there do seem to be a lot of 8 speed XTR cassettes on ebay for very reasonable prices. (well, reasonable for xtr that is) |
| 8 speed is lighter and cheaper | pedalAZ
Dec 15, 2002 11:08 AM | | I've got a top end, late model bike with lots of weight weenie components. I actually "upgraded" from 9 speed to 8 speed for less weight and more useful gearing, with an 11-30 cassette. I've run both GoldTec aluminum and Shimano XTR cassettes of the same spreads. The Goldtec weighs only 147 grams (but wears lot quick being aluminum)and the XTR is only 206 grams plus 5 grams for the lock ring (and under $100 new).
Switched from SRAM 9.0sl shifters to SRAM 9.0 8 speed, while keeping the same rear derailleur (9.0SL), chainrings (9 spd Sugino), and chain SRAM PC99. Works great. |
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