Need Advice on Drivetrain Conversion

[pshloss]

First, let me admit that I am a cheap SOB. With that said, I am looking to upgrade from 8 speed to 9 speed, perhaps in steps. What is pushing me to do this now is that all my chainrings are shot. So here are my questions:

1) I was told that if I buy a 9 speed crankset I could run it 8 speed for a while. Seems reasonable, especially since I've been running a 9 speed front derailleur for a year and half. Agree?

2) Again, I am cheap ass. I've been running an LX crankset for 8 years and it has been fine for me. So I am looking at either this one http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm...d=100%20SHILX4, which is Hollowtech I and $90 plus $27 for the bottom bracket or this one, which is Hollowtech II and includes the bottom bracket for $160. http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/137...0-Crankset.htm I'm skeptical that the more expensive is worth it. The cheaper one actually weighs a little less. Opinions?

3) The mechanic at Jax said an 8 speed rear derailleur would work for 9 speed as long as I got 9 speed shifters. I have an XT (long cage I think) an an XTR rapid rise. Any opinions on that?

[Neccros]

1) Yes....
2) Id look around.... you should be able to get an XT crankset(BB not integrated) for about 80-90 now... Chucks bikes I think had them for a while this cheap... he is all sold out
3) 9 speed running with 8 speed shifters YES, but I never heard the other way around, BUT I have been known to make mistakes, from time to time...

[EndoMaster]

Originally Posted by pshloss

First, let me admit that I am a cheap SOB. With that said, I am looking to upgrade from 8 speed to 9 speed, perhaps in steps. What is pushing me to do this now is that all my chainrings are shot. So here are my questions:

1) I was told that if I buy a 9 speed crankset I could run it 8 speed for a while. Seems reasonable, especially since I've been running a 9 speed front derailleur for a year and half. Agree?

2) Again, I am cheap ass. I've been running an LX crankset for 8 years and it has been fine for me. So I am looking at either this one http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm...d=100%20SHILX4, which is Hollowtech I and $90 plus $27 for the bottom bracket or this one, which is Hollowtech II and includes the bottom bracket for $160. http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/137...0-Crankset.htm I'm skeptical that the more expensive is worth it. The cheaper one actually weighs a little less. Opinions?

3) The mechanic at Jax said an 8 speed rear derailleur would work for 9 speed as long as I got 9 speed shifters. I have an XT (long cage I think) an an XTR rapid rise. Any opinions on that?

On point one the answer would be yes. You can use a 9 speed crankset with an 8 speed cassette and chain.

On point two, I would go with the integrated bottom bracket crankset. I switched over to the integrated style and was surprised that I was able to notice the difference in increased stiffness. You mentioned that the older model was lighter, was that including the weight of the bottom bracket? The new version includes the weight of the bottom bracket along with crankset. Your derailleurs will work fine with 9 speed shifters. They are dumb pieces of equipment that do what the shifters tell them to do. so as long as your limit screws are adjusted right, you will be good to go.

The crankset piece is just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt.

Agustin

[singleSSpeedster]

Pete!!! What up???

I have used a 9sp crankset (9sp lx hollowtech) with a 8sp cassette (yes, I used to run gears!!!) and never had a problem. in fact....it was awesome!!!!

as far as what to buy....you'll need a 9sp sram chain and 9sp cranks.

cranks - get whichever you'd like. i would personally go with the cheaper/lighter set up. i have used the external bearing cranks....i fried two race face external bbs (for the dues xc model) within 7 weeks one "winter" season!!!

chain - sram 9sp. which ever fits into the budget. worked great! sram chains are abit wider than shimano chains. the 9sp worked great up front and never missed a beat on the 8sp rear cassette.

here s the set up i used two years back;
shimano lx mega 9 f. der
shimano lx hollowtech mega 9 cranks
xt 8 sp shifters
shimano xt 8 sp cassette
sram 9sp chain

your rapid rise der in the rear won't change a thing.

cheers!

[royta]

Originally Posted by singleSSpeedster

chain - sram 9sp. which ever fits into the budget. worked great! sram chains are abit wider than shimano chains. the 9sp worked great up front and never missed a beat on the 8sp rear cassette.

here s the set up i used two years back;
shimano lx mega 9 f. der
shimano lx hollowtech mega 9 cranks
xt 8 sp shifters
shimano xt 8 sp cassette
sram 9sp chain

That's interesting. I had no idea you could get away with a 9 sp chain on an 8 sp cassette. I used to run Sachs PC98 chains, but now use the PC68 chain.

One of these days, I'll switch to 9 sp drivetrain.

[singleSSpeedster]

Originally Posted by royta

That's interesting. I had no idea you could get away with a 9 sp chain on an 8 sp cassette.

word!

i did some research awhile back (this is like 2-3 years ago) on mtbr and member speedubnate (or sumthin') pointed me to this set up. couldn't believe how well it worked.