Does 8 speed feel more solid than 9 speed?
Comparing my 8 speed bike to my 9 speed it does feel like the 8 speed is slightly more solid.
the thicker chain and more spacing between gears means that it shifts better and doesn’t skip between gears. The chain has never fallen off of the 8 speed while the 9 speed has had numerous chain falls and even a chain breakage.
I imagine that 10 and 11 speed are even worse.