Shimano 8 spd to 9 spd conversion, New Der?

Scott MacMillin said:

I have a Shimano 600 (Ultegra) 8 spd drivetrain with STI shifters that
I want to upgrade to 9 spd. Obviously, I will need a 9 spd shifter,
cassette, chain. I also understand that a new inner chainring is
recommended.

Questions:

1) Is there any reason why the original Shimano 8 spd der would not
work? OR do I also need a new 9 spd Der too?

No.

Quoted message said:

2) Why the new inner chainring?

The profit motive.

Actually, I get asked this a lot, so I have a boilerplate response I
keep in my Eudora Stationery folder, viz.:

"There is a lot of confusion about the compatibility of narrow 9-speed
chains with older cranksets. Shimano says you should replace the inner
chainring(s) with specially designated 9-speed ones, but then they're
all too eager to sell you stuff, whether you need it or not.

"Shimano is also concerned about clueless users. The worst-case
scenario is that you will be riding along with the bike in its highest
gear (large front, small rear) and then for some bizarre reason shift
down in front before downshifting in the back. (There is no shift
pattern in which it is reasonable to shift in this sequence.) If you
_do_ shift this way, there's a small chance that the chain might
"skate" over the edges of the teeth for maybe half a turn.

"In practice this "problem" almost never materializes. Many, many
cyclists are using 9-speed chains with older cranksets and having no
problems whatever.

"My advice is to go ahead and upgrade your drivetrain, but leave the
crankset alone until you've tried it out with the new chain. Most
likely, you don't need to do anything to it."

Sheldon "Try It First" Brown
+------------------------------------------------+
| Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, |
| but most of the time he will pick himself up |
| and continue on. -- Sir Winston Churchill |
+------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

Scott Macmillin said:

I have a Shimano 600 (Ultegra) 8 spd drivetrain with STI shifters that I
want to upgrade to 9 spd. Obviously, I will need a 9 spd shifter,
cassette, chain. I also understand that a new inner chainring is
recommended.
Questions:
1) Is there any reason why the original Shimano 8 spd der would not
work? OR do I also need a new 9 spd Der too?
2) Why the new inner chainring?

The rder will work-there is a trivial travel difference between an 8 and
9 speed cassette since the sprocket to sprocket interval is smaller on
the 9 speed.

You've already identified the differing shifters to cover the different
interval, narrower chain chain, and 9 speed cassette.

Chainrings usually needn't be changed. The more expensive 9 speed rings
have slightly narrower teeth for the chain to go on smoother and the
rings are spaced slightly closer for a quicker transition to the next
ring. Most people won't notice a shifting degradation with the 9 speed
rings, so try it before buying the 9 speed rings.

--

On 25 Apr 2004 20:07:25 -0700, [email hidden] (Scott

MacMillin) said:

I have a Shimano 600 (Ultegra) 8 spd drivetrain with STI shifters that
I want to upgrade to 9 spd. Obviously, I will need a 9 spd shifter,
cassette, chain. I also understand that a new inner chainring is
recommended.

Quoted message said:

2) Why the new inner chainring?

I've been using Shimano 6-speed cranks with old stock chainrings with
Shimano 9 speed shifters and chain, no problem. Don't put out the
money until you are certain that there is an actual problem.

Scott-<< I have a Shimano 600 (Ultegra) 8 spd drivetrain with STI shifters that
I want to upgrade to 9 spd. Obviously, I will need a 9 spd shifter,
cassette, chain. I also understand that a new inner chainring is
recommended. >><BR><BR>

If the rear der isn't worn out all you need is the shifter(right), cogset and
chain. shimano says ya gotta have a new small ring, offset a wee bit toward the
big one, for the more narrow chain, but that just ain't necessary.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

meb-<< The more expensive 9 speed rings
have slightly narrower teeth for the chain to go on smoother and the
rings are spaced slightly closer for a quicker transition to the next
ring. >><BR><BR>

Teeth are the same, later 8s and 9s..the small ring is offset a bit towards the
big, the big is really unchanged except for finish.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"