[CircuitMan]

I've been running into problems with breaking my chain in the past, so I was thinking of going to an 8 speed cassette in order to run a heavier chain. I'm also switching to medium cage X-9 rear, and planning to run a single up front. What would be a good chain and cassette for this setup?

 

[mtn_man2]

how about a sram cassette and wipperman chain. I don't know specifics on what u would run for the cassette (#s) but wipperman makes some of the strongest chains from what I hear.

 

[Guest]

you need a new shifter too btw....
and as far as I know, 8 spd and 9spd chains have no difference in strength...

I am using the sram pg-850 cassette, which is the best sram 8spd cassette, and the pc-68 chain, which is the best 8spd chain from sram... I love it..
using with x7 shifter and x7 derailluer (x9 when I feel like putting it on)

 

[TNC]

Jake's right on chain strength for the most part. 8 and 9 speed chains have identical pins, plates, and rollers...just narrower on the rollers and pins on the 9 speed. In some way you could say that 9 speed "might" be stronger because there is less width for the pin and rollers to flex...but this would be a highly marginal thing to qualify. I use 8 speed on all my MTB stuff with HG 90 series Shimano chains, but not for strength. 8 speed is easier to tune and stay in tune IMO. 8 speed and a SRAM rear derailleur is a sweet deal.

 

[mb3designs]

As mentioned a Sram cassette, as far as chains go, Sram and Wipperman are both good choices. Just depends if you want the bling factor or not, Wipperman makes some blingin' chains

 

[CircuitMan]

Sweet! Thanks for all of that very useful information guys. I'm going to do the sram 8 speed cassette...

 

[yakusarider]

you need a new shifter too btw....
and as far as I know, 8 spd and 9spd chains have no difference in strength...

I am using the sram pg-850 cassette, which is the best sram 8spd cassette, and the pc-68 chain, which is the best 8spd chain from sram... I love it..
using with x7 shifter and x7 derailluer (x9 when I feel like putting it on)

I have a SRAM 8 speed casset and a sram SX5 rear derailer works form 8 to 9 casset.
My shifter broke last sunday wich is a 8 speed shifter So
I bought a SRAM X7 shifter for 9 speed but did not work well
Do I realy need a 8 speed shifter to make it work.

 

[TNC]

Yes you do.

I have a SRAM 8 speed casset and a sram SX5 rear derailer works form 8 to 9 casset.
My shifter broke last sunday wich is a 8 speed shifter So
I bought a SRAM X7 shifter for 9 speed but did not work well
Do I realy need a 8 speed shifter to make it work.

The shifter is what controls the spacing and distance that the rear derailleur moves across the cassette. The space between 8 and 9 speed cassette gears is different. Therefore the shifter must be matched to the spacing of either an 8 or 9 speed cassette.

 

[Tybalt]

I've been running into problems with breaking my chain in the past, so I was thinking of going to an 8 speed cassette in order to run a heavier chain. I'm also switching to medium cage X-9 rear, and planning to run a single up front. What would be a good chain and cassette for this setup?

Could one run a med cage rear with front deraileur and 8 or 9 speed?

Thx

 

[CircuitMan]

Hey so I'm reviving this thread - I've got a couple new questions:
1. So with an X.9 or X.0 rear deraileur, pg850 cassette, Holzfeller crank with doubles and a bash guard, and XT front deraileur, what shifters do I use???
2. Can I run a short cage X.0 with the doubles, or must I go medium?

 

[njhcx4xlife]

you need a mid cage to be on the safe side and you need any 8 speed shifter

 

[Guest]

you need a mid cage to be on the safe side and you need any 8 speed shifter

nope, must be 1:1 actuation ratio to be combatable with the x9/x0 derailluer.
Sram X7 8spd is the best 8 speed shifter from sram. Make sure to get the 8spd version! and 1:1.