To be clear,
I have 9 speed:
front chainwheels
rear cluster
And I'll be going with 9 speeds.
Period.
Hopefully, with SIS/indexed shifters
In fact the 9 speed rear cluster is custom
gearing from MICHE. It cost a lot more in shipping
to import from Europe.
So No, I'm NOT looking for work arounds, or to
to buy yet another drivetrain, or components.
Thanks to everyone who wrote on how I might accomplish my goals