9 speed compatibility

jimmy5willy

Retrobike Rider
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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?
 
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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...
 
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jimmy5willy":3i42698s said:
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
Re: Re:

jimmy5willy":vxmdi1vq said:
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









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

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