8 Speed Ultegra?????

BarrY Young said:

I need new integrated shifters for my 8 speed Ultegra. I have been told that I cannot just
purchase new 105 or Ultegra 9 speeds and install then . Does anyone have any sugestions short of
replacing the backwheel ,cassette , chain, shifters. Is there an alternate combo shifter brake
lever that is compatable?

Thanks in advance

Barry

9 Speeds pull less cable than 8 speeds as the sprocket spacings are less (8 speeds a 4.8 mm, 9 are
4.35). Any Shimano 8 speed shifter would do, such as Sora, as all Shimano mechs have the same
multiplier (1.66). Please get these numbers double checked and verfied before you spend your money,
don't just take my word for it.

BarrY Young said:

I need new integrated shifters for my 8 speed Ultegra. I have been told that I cannot just
purchase new 105 or Ultegra 9 speeds and install then . Does anyone have any sugestions short of
replacing the backwheel ,cassette , chain, shifters. Is there an alternate combo shifter brake
lever that is compatable?

This is a Frequently Asked Question, and here's my boilerplate answer:

Even if you could find them, I wouldn't recommend buying 8-speed shifters unless they are _very_
cheap. It makes more sense to upgrade to 9-speed, since the expensive part of this conversion is the
shifter, and you already need a shifter!

The only additional parts you need for 9-speed are a new chain and cassette, and these are normally
consumable parts anyway--odds are yours are already close to due for replacement.

Some folks will tell you that you need a lot of other stuff to convert an 8-speed bike to 9-speed,
but they're wrong.

Also, you can generally use the 9-speed shifters with your old 8-speed cassette by using the
"alternate cable routing" shown at sheldonbrown.comdura ace.htmlOpen ↗

Sheldon "Easier Than You Might Think" Brown +--------------------------------------------------+
| I'm crazy about the music of Leos Janacek, | especially the Msa Glagolskaya and Sinfonietta |
| sheldonbrown.commusic.htmlOpen ↗ |
+--------------------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 harriscyclery.comharriscyclery.comOpen ↗ Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
captainbike.comcaptainbike.comOpen ↗ sheldonbrown.comsheldonbrown.comOpen ↗

BarrY Young said:

I need new integrated shifters for my 8 speed Ultegra. I have been told that I cannot just purchase
new 105 or Ultegra 9 speeds and install then . Does anyone have any sugestions short of replacing
the backwheel ,cassette , chain, shifters. Is there an alternate combo shifter brake lever that is
compatable?

I think Sora may still be available in 8sp. However, your situation is actually better than you
imagine. 9sp rear cassette is the same width as 8speed, so your rear wheel is fine. To go to 9speed,
you would need

New shifters (you need theese anyway) New cassette New chain

BarrY Young said:

I need new integrated shifters for my 8 speed Ultegra. I have been told that I cannot just purchase
new 105 or Ultegra 9 speeds and install then . Does anyone have any sugestions short of replacing
the backwheel ,cassette , chain, shifters. Is there an alternate combo shifter brake lever that is
compatable?

Thanks in advance

You can just buy the 9sp shifters and attach the derailleur cable to the top of the screw on the
rear derailleur. Next time you need a cassette/chain, buy a 9sp cassette and chain and attach the
cable properly and readjust the derailleur stops.

BarrY Young said:

I need new integrated shifters for my 8 speed Ultegra. I have been told that I cannot just
purchase new 105 or Ultegra 9 speeds and install then . Does anyone have any sugestions short of
replacing the backwheel ,cassette , chain, shifters. Is there an alternate combo shifter brake
lever that is compatable?

How about a set of Campagnolo 9 Ergos with cable set, a Campagnolo rear changer and a SRAM nine
cassette and chain? The whole package should run about $238 to $260 - a pretty good deal compared to
an STi set IMHO.

See concurrent thread.

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971