Cassette Upgrade

[rprough]

Right now I have a 3x8 setup and was wanting to know if going to at least a 3x9 setup is possible with current derailers and chain on bike. Reason for this is because my chain will be needing replacing soon because of stretch and cassette will need to be replaced also. 8 speed cassettes are getting more difficult to find and good quality replacements seem to come only in 9 speed and up setups. Id rather not replace my rear wheel setup If I can help it but if it gets too involved it might start to approach the cost of a new bike.

[Bill]

Yes it is possible. Just make sure you have the proper match up and sizes.

[nfmisso]

ALWAYS replace the chain at the same time as your replace the cassette.

If you are using a friction rear shifter, no problems. If you are using an indexed shifter, you will need a new rear shifter.

Your current chain may or may not be a problem, depending on how wide it is. 9 speed chains are narrower, more flexible and weaker.

There are ALOT of 8 speed (and even 7 speed) cassettes available:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_4?rh=n%3A3375251%2Cn%3A!3375301%2Cn%3A2232464011%2Cn%3A3403201%2Cn%3​A3404731%2Cn%3A3404771&bbn=3404731&ie=UTF8&qid=1305255588&rnid=3404731#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D3404771&field-keywords=8+speed+cassette&rh=n%3A3375251%2Cn%3A!3375301%2Cn%3A2232464011%2Cn%3A3403201%2Cn%3A3404731%2​Cn%3A3404771%2Ck%3A8+speed+cassette

In particular, check out the SRAM PG850:
http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-PG850-11-32T-Speed-Cassette/dp/B000NNX2P4/ref=sr_1_3?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1305255803&sr=1-3

I am not a fan of greater number of gears because the increase width of the cassette results in a weaker rear wheel, and the closer spacing of those sprockets results in a narrower, weaker chain.

[Joe_W]

(05-12-2011, 11:09 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  [...]
I am not a fan of greater number of gears because the increase width of the cassette results in a weaker rear wheel, and the closer spacing of those sprockets results in a narrower, weaker chain.

I have to correct you on this occasion, at least for Shimano hubs this is wrong. The 8/9/10 speed freehub bodies (and also the hubs) are the same (except for material or finish). So the dish of those wheels is the same. I am not sure but I believe that 7 speed Shimano rear hub should accept an 8/9/10 speed freehub body.

As you pointed out, the chain (and the sprockets etc) are narrower on 10 speed systems. I have never had any problems with chain breakage, though I was told that after a flat tyre this was the second most common problem on bikes.

[nfmisso]

(05-13-2011, 03:42 AM)Joe_W Wrote:  ......
I have to correct you on this occasion, at least for Shimano hubs this is wrong. The 8/9/10 speed freehub bodies (and also the hubs) are the same (except for material or finish). So the dish of those wheels is the same. I am not sure but I believe that 7 speed Shimano rear hub should accept an 8/9/10 speed freehub body.
.......

The Shimano 7 speed is 4.5mm narrower than the 8/9/10. The 7 speed hubs will accept the 8/9/10 freehub body, but require tweaking of the dishing - resulting in a weaker rear wheel.

[Joe_W]

Thanks, I was wondering about that last part.

[cyclerUK]

(05-13-2011, 03:47 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  

(05-13-2011, 03:42 AM)Joe_W Wrote:  ......
I have to correct you on this occasion, at least for Shimano hubs this is wrong. The 8/9/10 speed freehub bodies (and also the hubs) are the same (except for material or finish). So the dish of those wheels is the same. I am not sure but I believe that 7 speed Shimano rear hub should accept an 8/9/10 speed freehub body.
.......

The Shimano 7 speed is 4.5mm narrower than the 8/9/10. The 7 speed hubs will accept the 8/9/10 freehub body, but require tweaking of the dishing - resulting in a weaker rear wheel.

But he already has an 8 speed setup (3x8).
9 speed chains are only narrower as the "rivets" protrude less outside the plates.
The internal width, so I am led to believe, is still the same.?

As Nigel says the main cost of changing will be the need to swap to a 9 speed gear shifter.
There are other 8 speed Shimano compatible cassettes from Sram & Sunrace.

[trevgbb]

read this article;
http://www.jakesbikes.co.uk/content/348.php

[nfmisso]

+1

thank you for posting that link again.