Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the September Giveaway to Win the Luckeep X1 Pro ebike


SRAM Apex 10spd with 8spd Shimano shifters?
#1
I have a Jamis Allegro 1 with a double chainring crank (50 & 34 teeth) and a Shimano Sora short cage rear derailleur. The rear gearing is an 8 speed (12-26 teeth) cassette. I am frequently finding that in order to keep the chain from extreme angles, I have to shift from my big chainring to the small one, resulting in going from just a bit too high a gear to way too low a gear, which then requires up-shifting a couple of gears in the rear. This has become bothersome.

I went to a bicycle store for a suggestion thinking they'd suggest switching to a triple crank & new front derailleur/shifter. They suggested I should get a different cassette (11-32) and a different rear derailleur so I could keep my shifters. They suggested a Sora GS or Tiagra GS. I have done some research and found that neither can handle the 32 tooth cog (they both max out at 27 teeth for biggest cog). I don't particularly like the MTB rear derailleurs Shimano currently offers - they're designed for triple cranks.

I did some digging around and found that the SRAM Apex medium cage is designed to work with a 11-32 cassette and a double crank, which sounds perfect except for one thing - it's a 10 speed derailleur and SRAM's website says something about exact actuation ratio shifters.

So, the question: will a SRAM Apex 10 speed rear derailleur work with an 8 speed cassette and an 8 speed Shimano shifter? I suspect it will, but I don't want to spend the money on this derailleur unless I am sure it'll work.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, especially if you have experience with the SRAM Apex. Thanks!
  Reply
#2
It will work fine with the 8 speed cassette.

It will not work with the Shimano shifter because SRAM uses a different amount of cable pull.

Do you use the 34/26 combination? I would suggest getting a larger chain ring to replace the 34, like 42 or 44 if your hills are not too severe.

Or if you don't use the 50/12 combo, consider changing the 50 for a 46.

If you need/want the 34 and 50, you'll need a triple; and will probably have to get one or more of the chain rings separately. You will also need a new front derailleur and probably a new BB.

With any of these changes, you should replace the chain.

If you do elect to change the cassette, and go with a SRAM derailleur, you should change to a 9 speed at the same time, about the same cost either way, and you'll be happier with the closer ratios.
Nigel
  Reply
#3
(08-06-2011, 04:20 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  If you do elect to change the cassette, and go with a SRAM derailleur, you should change to a 9 speed at the same time, about the same cost either way, and you'll be happier with the closer ratios.

So, it's safe to assume that I can put a 9 speed cassette in place of my current 8 speed cassette? Are any other modifications required to the hub to do this?

Thanks for the advice so far. Keep it coming!
  Reply
#4
No mods required to the hub for a 9 speed cassette or spacers where an 8 speed was.

You do need:
* a 9 speed chain
* a 9 speed or greater rear derailleur
* 9 speed shifter

Good idea to replace the shifter cable at the same time, most shifters come with cables, so no big deal. Make sure that you lubricate the cable; light oil followed by a quick light wipe to remove the excess.

See: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/speeds.html
Nigel
  Reply
#5
I guess it might be less work to simply switch to an 8 speed 11-32 cassette and replace my rear derailleur with a Shimano Deore XT (RD-M771-GS). Then I wouldn't have to basically change everything (shifters, brake levers, derailleur, cassette).
  Reply
#6
(08-08-2011, 10:54 AM)williamskg6 Wrote:  I guess it might be less work to simply switch to an 8 speed 11-32 cassette and replace my rear derailleur with a Shimano Deore XT (RD-M771-GS). Then I wouldn't have to basically change everything (shifters, brake levers, derailleur, cassette).

you'll need a new longer chain. New for the new cassette; longer for the bigger cog and long cage derailleur.
Nigel
  Reply
#7
(08-08-2011, 08:56 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  you'll need a new longer chain. New for the new cassette; longer for the bigger cog and long cage derailleur.

I had assumed that I'd need a new chain but I really appreciate the guidance. It doesn't pay to forget things!

Thanks so much for the advice!
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Why Do My Cycling Stats Feel Inaccurate ...
Today 12:37 AM
Shimano Deore cassette with SRAM Apex me...
Today 12:35 AM
Change comes hard in the cycling communi...
Today 12:29 AM
Pogacar wins UCI Road Bike World Champio...
Today 12:26 AM
How to keep your bicycle safe?
Today 12:23 AM
Northeast of India or Myanmar rides
Yesterday 02:15 PM
1 New Knobbly Tire... Front or Back?
10-01-2024 08:06 PM
MTB Night Lighting - What are recommenda...
10-01-2024 07:59 PM
COLNAGO SUPER (unknown year)
09-29-2024 07:29 PM
Any other Bridgestone Picnica OneTouch r...
09-28-2024 07:30 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Jesper
20 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
17 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
17 posts
no avatar 4. rydabent
15 posts
no avatar 5. meamoantonio
12 posts