[bdamschen]

It's been a very long time since I've run an 8 speed cassette, but I've heard from people have gone back after running 9 speed setups that everything just shifts way better.

Since my DH bike got jacked last month I'm building up a temp bike until the frame I want hits production; I figured now would be a great time to experiment with things. I have no idea where I can find a decent 8 speed short cage derailleur and shifter though. I'm guessing that I can't just run a normal 9 speed der with an 8 speed shifter because the 8 speed chain is too thick.... right?

Those of you that have gone back to 8 speed, what sort of setup are you running?

 

[Sandwich]

I just picked up the sweetest set of XTR 8spood shifters. I'll be running it with a new saint mech and an 11-30 cogset. Unfortunately, none of these parts have arrived so I cannot comment on how they perform, but from what I have read, everybody suggests that the 9 speed derailleurs are compatible with 8 speed chains. It's the shifter that does all the work, and of course the cogset spacing. I'll report as soon as I know the saint mech clears, as that's my biggest concern. I would imagine that shimano wouldn't make the tolerances so tight that the chain won't clear, but I won't know until the end of the week.

I must admit, I have more confidence in the saint being backwards compatible than the newer 105 10speed compatible stuff. Here's to hoping.

 

[John P.]

Sandwich is right. New derailleurs work 100% fine with 8-spd systems, so there's no trouble there. The only issue is finding 8-spd shifters - it's becoming more and more difficult, especially for those of us who are living so far in the past that we're still using twisters.

--JP

 

[Sandwich]

From my own research, current brand new options include:
XT triggers, black, old school, and I think they only come in pairs
SRAM attack, same
SRAM X4 and lower.

I have heard of SRAM x7 in 8 speed, but couldn't find any.

I was going to SRAM it up, but found these NOS XTRs and went shimano. The only derailleur I could find with short cage/pulley wheel setup was the new Saint. If I had to do it on my own time again, it would probably be the x4s and an x7 derailleur, or keep searching till I could find the matching shifter.

 

[DiRt DeViL]

My son uses a 105 rear mech and an Alivio shifter on his 8 speed Bullit.

 

[djivotno]

I'm running the new Saint with a SRAM Attack 8sp shifter on a SRAM 12-26 cassette and SRAM PC38 chain for a few months now and it's flawless. Shifts are crisp and it needs way less maintenance than a 9sp - I used the same setup (the same shifter, chain and cogs) with the old Saint for 2 years and only once needed to turn the barrel on the shifter 1 click (after the casings broke in). No issues with the chain width. I'd love some better shifter but i got used to the SRAM layout.

 

[Sandwich]

Thanks for that! That's the cassette I wanted to run, but I found an 11-30 in my parts bin and it's the XTR ti-cogged 209g model...too good not to use.

 

[bdamschen]

Good info guys, I was wondering why I could find all these 8 speed parts online and no 8 speed ders.

 

[no skid marks]

Hamwich, the X7 8 speed shifter got rebadged as SX-5.

 

[1453]

on both my Bullit and the Slash I'm running XT 8 speed shifters, one with Lx and one with xt rear derailuers. Shifting is crip as **** with Sram 870 chains.

universal carries the 8 speed pods, a little pricy at 50 each side but well worth it.