9 speed compatibility

[jimmy5willy]

This is gonna sound like a dumb question, but can you run a 9 speed cassette with an XT M739 derailleur. I know the derailleur is designed for 8 speed, but the cassette is only 11-28 so not mega range, the derailleur says max 32t on it and the shifter does all the work regarding derailleur movement anyway?

 

[Incworks-1969]

Simple answer: Yes.

 

[jimmy5willy]

Re:

That was my thinking. But I'm having a hard time setting the gears up. it'll click through 2 gears fine then skip one in the middle...

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re: Re:

That was my thinking. But I'm having a hard time setting the gears up. it'll click through 2 gears fine then skip one in the middle...

This echoes my experience. I've had two bikes now with 7 or 8 speed era mechs and with 9 speed shifters, chain and cassette. In both cases the indexing was slightly erratic, as you say skipping gears in the middle.

First time I tried it (following reading up online and convincing myself it would work fine) I ran through everything to try get it to work properly - in the end I gave up and fitted a cheap Sunrace 9 speed mech. Perfect shifting.

The Raleigh Royal I own (9 speed shifter, 7 speed mech) is currently suffering from the same issues. Not sure whether I'll swap out the RD or "downgrade" to an 8 speed setup but I need to do something as it defeats the object of having 9 cogs if you can't accurately select which one you're using.

 

[jimmy5willy]

Re:

I've got another xt mech with a
Longer cage. Gonna give that a go but if no better, guess I'll be looking out for a cheap xtr 952 or whatever the next xt mech was.
Joy! Lol
Thanks for the opinions though.

 

[Frankenorange]

Re:

This is invaluable for mixing and matching cassettes, shifters and mechs

http://blog.artscyclery.com/science-beh ... atibility/

 

[Peachy!]

One trick that worked for me, although you may have already tried this so my apologies if this sounds like teaching someone’s nana to suck eggs....

I started with setting up the end stop screws with the chain removed & setting the cable length in the highest gear.
Then getting the chain length correct.
Then dial in the SIS shifting with the cable adjuster on the middle ratios.

 

[d8mok]

Re: Re:

I've got another xt mech with a
Longer cage. Gonna give that a go but if no better, guess I'll be looking out for a cheap xtr 952 or whatever the next xt mech was.
Joy! Lol
Thanks for the opinions though.

Ive for this for £18 posted. 9 speed and short cage XT









upload image share

 

[jimo746]

Re:

What 9 speed shifter are you using ?

 

[Madmax1993]

Re:

Worth checking the gear hanger alignment too. The symptom you're describing could be caused by it being even a tiny bit off.