8-speed conversion

[Particle]

Sooo...as some of you may remember, I picked up an Iron Horse Yakuza hardtail last fall. I've ridden it a couple times (before the snow fell) and it is a blast.

However the Shimano Acera shifters/derailleurs and brakes SUCK. There are these weird shifter/braker lever integrated pods and they don't work for crap. So I was thinking of just getting SRAM X.7 shifters / r.der. But the catch is, the Acera is an 8-speed. So I'd need to get a 9-speed cassette I guess?

Are there any good 8-speed shifters that would be worth looking at? After that I'm just going to upgrade the brakes on my DH bike (ASX) and swap the old Hayes hydros over to the Iron Horse.

here's the rig:

[CS]

Single speed.

Dirt jumper.

No front brake needed.

Problem solved.

[Particle]

Single speed.

Dirt jumper.

No front brake needed.

Problem solved.

I would...but half the reason I bought this thing is b/c I could use it as a trail bike as well. I was tired of pedaling my AS-X uphill... (yes I know, that's the problem...haha).

[marshalolson]

get some xt thumbies best 8spd out there for this application (light, indestructible, can run friction if you mangle the der/hanger)

[Spats]

If you don't mind Grip Shift, you can usually find 8-speed for cheap at places like Nashbar. For instance:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

Otherwise you're looking at trying to find old 8-speed LX/XT/XTR, which isn't easy these days. Though it does work wonderfully...I have 8-speed XT on my hardtail with a lawsuit XTR rear derailleur and it's the slickest shifting setup I've ever used.

[bagtagley]

What marshal said. Though, before you fork out any cash, call around to some local shops. They may have some in the junk bin that they'd let go for cheap.

[Particle]

Cool. I found these...sweet!
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SHIMANO-XT-8...QQcmdZViewItem

[RampagingMullet]

I run a sram x9 shifter and derailer with only an eight speed cassette. what's the problem? you just need to set it up properly and it runs like a dream, no skips. anyways, a nine speed cassette should be cheaper than buying an 8 speed derailer. Go with sram, it dominates.

[marshalolson]

^^^ good luck with that, ace ^^^

[RampagingMullet]

I was given a tonne of sram stuff, so I threw it on. I will put on a 9 speed cassette when mine wears out, but for the mean time, honestly, once set up, it runs like a dream, adjusted the limits so I can put it into 1st gear on the shifter. perfect

[marshalolson]

so all you have to do is adjust the limit screws to make it work?

dude, you are a fucking retard if you think that will work for more than :05

[shirk]

Suntour xc pro thumbies.

You can get them to run 7, 8 and 9sp.

When I get some cash I'll be upgrading to some Dura Ace bar cons and Paul thumbies adapters.

[marshalolson]

I'll be upgrading to some Dura Ace bar cons and Paul thumbies adapters.

i had a set last year. so nice. highly rec.

i've found that sometimes the indexing on xc pros can be screwy w/ xt casettes

[Particle]

Suntour xc pro thumbies.

You can get them to run 7, 8 and 9sp.

When I get some cash I'll be upgrading to some Dura Ace bar cons and Paul thumbies adapters.

I've never heard of that stuff. Is it roadie gear?

[RampagingMullet]

so all you have to do is adjust the limit screws to make it work?

dude, you are a fucking retard if you think that will work for more than :05

Fuck man
I ride the shore. I have one ring up front, throw it in 2 or 3 in the back for the climb and pound it. then put it in 5 or 6 for the decent, and in 8 for the big gaps. Rode it for a freaking months with no skips. trust me NO SKIPS. I know for you highly edumicated bike shop fucks: it shouldn't work, "buy a new cassette" screw it, I RIDE THE SHORE things are bent and busted every ride dude. like I said I'll get a 9 speed when the time comes but if it works I say ride it. Don't get me wrong, if you have 9 speed shifters, obviously you buy a nine speed cassette or vice versa but funds are tight, and every day is a good day for riding, so no matter how much duct tape you need to get your rig down the hill, it is worth every second of it. Two wheels, and a little stopping power once and a while is all you need to send it off some huge shit. Oh yeah, and check your handle bars! My neck is busted right now; lucky to be walking. I knew they were creaking, but I decided to go get some ufc footage and save the cash for gas money instead of new bars. I guess the "if it's not broke don't fix it" doesn't always pay off. CHECK YOUR BARS! and have fun ripping the trails.
peace