3speed

Does anyone know if it's possible to use the base of 8sp Shimano bar-ends and get 9sp levers in order to convert to 9sp? I have 8sp shifters, but need 9sp. 9sp are expensive, so it would be nice if I could convert the 8sp to 9sp.

nfmisso

The levers themselves are not what determines the indexing, it is the expensive pieces inside the housing of the shifter that the lever connects to that does the indexing. There is no inexpensive way of doing indexed nine speed.

You could do friction mode if your shifters support it. I run my 7 speed Deore XT thumbies in friction mode with an 8 speed cassette.

Slash5

Are you saying you have 9 speed shifters and want to put them on 8 speed bar end mounts?
I think it would work - give it a try if you already have them.

9 speed bar ends will run somewhere from $65 to $75.

3speed

I don't have the 9sp shifters yet, or I would just try and see if it would work. I would by some 9sp down-tube shifters for ~$40 and swap them. I can't seem to find 9sp bar-ends for less than $85ish.

fietsbob

the 9 detents are in the lever ,but Shimano is not selling loose parts so go look on Ebay.

Whats wrong with 8 ?. I toured dozens of countries with a 13~34t 6 speed freewheel , No index shifting,

IMO its your gear ratios that matter not the cog count on the back wheel.

coupster

There's a set of Microshift 9 spd bar end shifters on EBay for ~$30 NOW. (ends today)

shelbyfv

If you aren't already committed to 9, Nashbar has Dura Ace 10 speed bar ends for $49.99.

FastJake

There are a few options listed in the order I would do them in:

1. Get an 8-speed cassette and chain.
2. Get 9-speed bar-end shifters or throw some 9-speed DT shifters on your pods.
3. Run whatever you want in friction mode.

If you decide to dump your 8S bar end shifters, I'm also in Madison and would love another pair!

rmfnla

Assuming you can even find the pieces (and make them work) you will then have a bunch of useless 8-speed parts.

Find the 9-speed ones on ebay and sell your 8-speeds there as well...

Cross Creek

Another option that doesn't cost a thing is turning the selector on your 8spd bar ends from SIS to friction. Then they will shift your 9 spd cassette.... Shimano 9 spd bar end levers aren't sold separately from the mounts, although Dura Ace 9 spd downtube levers are available and could probably be put on your 8 spd bar end mounts. Price is similar to the 9 spd bar ends though, so no savings there.

tarwheel 

This. I have bought Dura-Ace 9-speed bar-ends on eBay for much less than $85, and you should be able recoup much of what you spend by selling the 8-speeds.

FastJake

8-speed is useless? Lol. Someone forgot to send me that memo. All my bikes that aren't single speed/fixed gear are either 7 or 8 speed.

rmfnla

You misunderstand.

I was referring to the guts of the 8-speed shifters, not the shifters themselves; not much demand for shifter parts...

3speed

Eh. A couple friends of mine have had Microshift bar-ends. One of them didn't like them but put up with them for a while. The other chose to swap on some Shimano that he had and run in friction mode rather than use the Microshift. Those may have been fluke situations, but they're the only first hand experience I've had with them, and I know I like Shimano and they work well, so I'm going to stick with that rather than risk my money. Thanks, though.
Thanks! At that price, it's definitely something to think about. Hmm...
People used to tour on 5sp too. I'd prefer more gears. I personally would definitely dislike the huge jumps between cogs on a 13-34t 6sp. I did a tour down the west coast last summer on this 8sp set-up, and there is a noticeable difference in the jumps between gears in the middle range compared to 9sp. I know it's only one cog, but getting that middle section to be a 2 tooth jump versus 3, for example, makes a difference on subtle hills. Especially when you're riding with someone who runs 10sp and always finds a more "perfect" gear than your 8sp. They can maintain almost the same speed after an up-shift, but you have to slow down more because you just jumped 3-4 teeth rather than 2.
I have an 8sp chain and cassette on my current touring bike. I've decided that it's not quite right for me. But anywho, I also have Ultegra/600 tri-color front and rear derailers that go with these shifters if you're interested, along with the chain/spare chain pins and 2 cassettes(one more aggressive road gearing, one for touring) if you're interested in the whole 8sp bunch. I could definitely use the cash to help with this upgrade to 9/10sp. PM me if you're interested and shoot me an offer, or if you want I can do some value research and try to come up with a fair asking price on whatever you're interested in.

3speed

If I went to 10sp bar-end shifters, chain, and cassette, I could still use my 9sp XT/LX derailers, correct?

FastJake

Correct. Front shifting might not be optimal but should still work ok, I think.

Slash5

Bar end's are friction front anyways so it would work fine. Actually, I am running more or less that setup - Dura Ace 10 Speed bar ends with 9 speed SLX rear derailleur

3speed

Sweet bike.