Quantcast

8-Speed Compatibility?

McGRP01

beer and bikes
Feb 6, 2003
7,793
0
Portland, OR
Can any crankset/chainring combo be used with an 8-speed cassette and shifters, or do you have to use something specifically designed for 8 speed components?
 

JRogers

talks too much
Mar 19, 2002
3,785
1
Claremont, CA
Well, it probably depends on what you mean by "any." You can use 9 speed rings with 8 speed stuff without problems (I did that w/Race Face rings and Shimano XT 8speed stuff) but I don't know about anything besides that.
 

BigStonz

Monkey
Jan 7, 2005
240
0
Swain!! NY
I've used Smimano,Truvativ, and RaceFace chain rings with 8 speed set up. No Prob. 9 speed rear deraileur works fine as 8 speed too..
Shifters,chain, cassette are only components unique to 9 speed.
Don't get me started...why do we need 9 speeds...where does it end? 20 cog cassettes next year?? Long live the 8 speed!!
 

ioscope

Turbo Monkey
Jul 3, 2004
2,002
0
Vashon, WA
Just make sure you don't use a 9 speed chain on 8 speed cogs as it is narrower. Ideally you would want your cogs to match your chain, but chainrings aren't a big deal as compatability goes.