Subject: Re: XT shifter/ Hayes Mag Posted by: dave farmer on December 31, 2002 at 08:02:30: In Reply to: Re: XT shifter/ Hayes Mag posted by Robert on December 31, 2002 at 07:02:35:

Message: >>I'd prefer to use 8 speed on my DH bikes, but It seems that XT 8 speed shifters don't fit properly under a Hayes Mag Lever (Non HD) It's the M-740 shifter. Does anybody know if they make an 8speed shifter that isn't as tall? I guess for now Its it 9 speed. >You can run 8 speeds with a 9 speed shifter. The hub is the same, the difference is the spacers between the cogs on the cluster. If you can't get loose cogs and cog spacers locally you can try to get them through Loose Screws (www.loosescrews.com) or Harris Cyclery (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/index.html). Or you can dissasemble a rear cluster, or two, (9-speed units) to get the cog set you want and the spacers. Put a couple 9 speed spacers, or bottom bracket spacers, on the freehub before putting on the 8 speed gearing useing 9 speed spacers between the cogs. It can also help to use 9 speed versions of your smallest cog or two, but if you have older 8 speed units they will probably work fine, the differnce is very small and having only one or two cogs spaced for an 8 speed setup with a 9 speed shifter should not matter. On your dh bike i would imagine you want to carry on using 8 speed because of the wider chain, less prone to skipping across the sprockets and a more noticable shift. If this is the case, the last suggestion would give you 8 sprockets with 9 speed spacing, still needing the narrower chain. Try sourcing the stx-rc or alivio level 8 speed shifters. The clamp holds them lower under the bar and should clear your brake lever. Then you can carry on using the standard 8 speed drivetrain components. You can use part of the last suggestion, try only fitting 5 or 6 sprockets from your cassette, and putting spacers inboard. This gives a much better than standard chainline on dh bikes and also prevents the chain jumping/derailling as often. So a 9 speed drivetrain can work well on a dh bike.