Options for 2x9 brake/shifters on 90's build ?

[widowmaker]

Hi all,

Need some help/advice

On my Roberts road bike I have 3x9 Shimano Sora, which work fine but not smart enough for the frame or the look I am after.

I was thinking of going down the Dura-ace 9 speed SIS downtube route, but what are the options for a decent 2x9 combined shifter set up that's more in keeping with the look. Eg Dura-ace.

Considering thier age do they function as well as later lower models ?

Or for simplicity is it easier to fit d/tube shifters, assuming I can find some

 

[Jonny69]

You're in the Dura Ace 'Flight Deck' era with 9-speed STI. I would probably go with those if they're the right sort of era for your frame.

9-speed Dura Ace downtube shifters are great, but bear in mind they're very pricey. I know you've already got a 9-speed cassette, but if you're going to splash out that much it might be worth considering the 10-speed ones and change the cassette at the same time. The great thing about 10-speed is it's backwards compatible so it'll work with all your older SIS derailleurs.

 

[widowmaker]

I see, to be honest I hadn't considered going 10 speed. Not sure if I can fit a 10 speed on the rear spacing ?

 

[foz]

If you already have 9 speed, 10 speed will fit fine

 

[minor_LEGEND]

9sp isn't 90's period correct as you probably know, but cosmetically 105/Ultegra 9sp will fit the bill & not stick out like a sore thumb. 5500/6500 series components from about yr2000.

 

[widowmaker]

If you already have 9 speed, 10 speed will fit fine

Thanks, I never knew that

 

[vcballbat]

SunRace could be a cheaper option to Dura Ace

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-shifters/sunrace-r91-9-spd-down-tube-shifters-braze-on-pair/

 

[vcballbat]

9sp isn't 90's period correct as you probably know, but cosmetically 105/Ultegra 9sp will fit the bill & not stick out like a sore thumb. 5500/6500 series components from about yr2000.

I believe Dura Ace 7700 9-speed came out in 1996 so should be ok

 

[vcballbat]

On my Ribble I wanted to run an 8-speed cassette with a Dura Ace 9-speed rear mech which is okay but the 10-speed Dura Ace down tube shifters were the problem. When I bought them cheap on eBay (£30 i think) my thinking was that they are the same pull ratio as 8-9 speed.... they aren't, the cassette spacing on 8-9-10 speed is different as I found out when they didn't work, I put it down to an impulse purchase senior moment Any way all was not lost, by moving the cable on the rear mech to pull from the top of the clamp bolt instead of below they index perfectly..phew. So a bit of a weird setup on the Ribble with Dura Ace 9-speed rear mech, Dura Ace 11-speed front mech, Dura Ace 10-speed shifters, Shimano 8-speed cassette, KMC 8-speed chain and the ultimate sin.. a Campagnolo Record Carbon 10-speed chainset which all seems to work more by luck than judgment

 

[Jonny69]

Ok, don’t do that ^

Make your life easier and use:
-8-speed cassette with 8–speed shifters
-9-speed cassette with 9-speed shifters
-10-speed cassette with, well, you can see where I’m going here.

You can’t use 10-speed shifters with an 8-speed cassette. The pull ratio is the same, but the gear spacing is different. It won’t index. But, @vcballbat a 10-speed cassette will fit in the same space as an 8-speed so you could just switch to a 10-speed cassette and it’ll all work correctly. You might need to swap the chain too because I think 10-speed chains have flush rivets to clear the tighter spacing