Converting from 8 speed to 9 speed

[Moose.]

I'm planning on converting my bike to hydraulic discs and I'm going to have to buy new shifters as the current ones are integrated with the V-brake levers. As the rear cassette is also worn, and I've got a new LX crankset awaiting fitment I figured I may as well convert to 9 speed. Anyway, I digress.

My question is, are the following bits:

Shimano LX Shifters 9sp M580
Shimano LX 9sp M580 11-32
SRAM PC-951 chain (unless a PC-991 is worth the extra?)

compatible with my existing derailleurs:


Front: Shimano Acera


Rear: Shimano Deore

My concerns are that the current rear derailleur is obviously currently shifting 8 cogs, will it be able to do 9? And the new LX shifters are described as "Rapid Fire" so will they work with my existing Deore rear derailleur? I know I'm being a pikey and should probably just change the derailleurs too, but I'm on a budget at the moment!

cheers

Edited by Moose. on Sunday 2nd December 19:20

[Gazzab]

Is it worth it? They pics make the bike look tired....
My trek 6700 slr XC H/T is probably only worth £300 second hand and that has discs etc and is only 18 months old. Was a £850 bike new. something like that has got to be better value that converting an old bike?

[Moose.]

Ok the pictures don't exactly flatter my bike with the splayed gear cable (XTR BTW ), mud/twigs in places etc, but I don't see why I shouldn't upgrade some bits?

The frame is fine and fits me like a glove, and the wheels are only a month old. I'm just doing some tarting up, spending around £70 on the above plus another £100 on the hydraulic brakes. Don't think I could get a new bike of any quality for that!

I really can't see the logic in treating a bike like a banger and replacing the whole thing when enough bits have worn out. Seems a bit wasteful.

Edited by Moose. on Sunday 2nd December 18:51

[pastrana72]

Rear mech will be fine for 9 speed, no problem,

not so sure about your front mech as it looks wider for 8 speed, but it should work, try it first before changing it.

Good Luck, just about to go to 9 speed from 8 on my XC bike too.

[ism123]

unless it's an issue of not being able to source 8 speed kit I wouldn't bother. After years of 8 speed (old bikes) I find 9 speed (on new bike) a pain in the arse. Very temperemental and sensitive, especially in winter (mud, gunk, crap etc etc)

[pastrana72]

ism123 said:

unless it's an issue of not being able to source 8 speed kit I wouldn't bother. After years of 8 speed (old bikes) I find 9 speed (on new bike) a pain in the arse. Very temperemental and sensitive, especially in winter (mud, gunk, crap etc etc)

i had heard that too, as had 8 speed for years, but i have had 9 speed Sram X9 on my cove stiffee FR for 18 months and its been fine, not noticed a difference, so the Cove HJ is having its 8 speed XT replaced with Sram XO 9 speed, when i can get round to putting it on.

[catso]

ism123 said:

unless it's an issue of not being able to source 8 speed kit I wouldn't bother. After years of 8 speed (old bikes) I find 9 speed (on new bike) a pain in the arse. Very temperemental and sensitive, especially in winter (mud, gunk, crap etc etc)

and do you really 'need' the extra ratios?.......

[Parrot of Doom]

The rear mech won't really care how many cogs there are, all you do is adjust the top and bottom limits, the handlebar mounted shifter takes care of the rest. Same with the front mech, the existing one should work fine.

Buy a chain with a powerlink, and buy a couple of spare links while you're at it. Its really a very handy system designed to make removing the chain a 30 second job, you don't need any tools to remove or refit the link, its dead simple to use and a great idea although you should always carry a good multitool when riding, especially one that has a standard link extractor. I only say this as I managed to twist my chain last weekend and wouldn't have been able to continue had I not had a multitool with link extractor in my saddlebag.

The 951 doesn't have a powerlink, so don't get that. Get the 971.

Oh and get a crimp end for that rear mech cable you scruffy sod

[mat205125]

Gazzab said:

Is it worth it? They pics make the bike look tired....
My trek 6700 slr XC H/T is probably only worth £300 second hand and that has discs etc and is only 18 months old. Was a £850 bike new. something like that has got to be better value that converting an old bike?

I think I will have to agree with the above.

Converting a non-disc bike to discs with new wheels, then doing the 9 speed thing at the same time sounds very expensive.

Do you plan on having a Triggers broom bike eventually when the frame gets upgraded too?

[Moose.]

mat205125 said:

Do you plan on having a Triggers broom bike eventually when the frame gets upgraded too?

Maybe I know a GT Avalanche isn't the most top notch frame out there, but I like it and can't see a problem with upgrading the components one step at a time as they require it. A couple of my riding buddies have always done just that, in-fact one of them has a frame that's nearly 7 years old with lots of shiny bits on it. Sure it'll work out more expensive in the long run, than buying a new bike, but at the end of the day I'll have a bike I've built up myself with all the bits on it I want.

My long term plan is to upgrade the GT in bits to have a nice hardtail for trails etc and eventually purchase a decent full susser for more aggressive downhill stuff, thus having the best of both worlds

Parrot of Doom said:

Oh and get a crimp end for that rear mech cable you scruffy sod

It did have one on there but I guess it came off sometime over the past few weeks as I've only just noticed when I took the pics!

As for going 9 speed, it's the same cost as the 8 speed stuff and much more readily available so I figured why not

[pdV6]

As has been mentioned, the rear mech will be fine; all the indexing is done by the shifter.
You may have an issue with the front mech but your best bet is to try it as is and if it's no good then get a new one.