8/9 speed compatibility

Might not be the best forum to ask this but might aswell start. Have googled but nothing conclusive.

Am in the process of building a budget tourer (Used frame, new components)

I am planning to get tiagra hubs, and tiagra front and rear deraileurs (9 speed) I am going to use downtube shifters (friction) Having heard bad things about 9-speed chains for loaded touring (wear out quicker etc) I think it would be a better plan to get and 8 Speed cassette (compatible with rear hub) and run and 8 speed chain, as this will be A-tougher, and B- cheaper, especially to replace the cassette and chain when they wear out.

Just wondering if there will be any problems with this, I know the 8 speed chain is a little wider, just wondering whether it will fit through the deraileurs without rubbing or any other technical mishaps.

Cheers

-Tom

No probs with what you are going to do. I run this (albeit with indexed shifting) on my Galaxy for exactly the reason you mention.

If you're getting new components, why not a 8-speed derailleur like rd-2300 or something really cheap from the MTB-range?

For one, I've allready bought the rear derailleur (i was originally intending full 9 speed setup) but also for aesthetics, It's a lugged steel frame and wanted to keep something of a classic look about it - So I'm trying to stick to roadie bits, lots of chrome and silver - MTB parts don't work so well in this regard. The RD-2300 looks good in this regard - Would worry about the quality though as it's bottom of the range stuff (I know tiagra's not much better)

Don't worry about it. Lots of quality tourers have "cheap end of range" components on simply because weight's not an issue.

Only issue you may have is that you may have to respace/replace the jockey wheels for a slightly wider chain. This Reduces chain noise/rub.

Only issue you may have is that you may have to respace/replace the jockey wheels for a slightly wider chain. This Reduces chain noise/rub.

This is what I thought might happen. I might just go for the 2300 derailleurs (they have one for triples) and sell the tiagra on on again - Go for the full 8 speed set up, and upgrade in the future when/if I have more money. Seems like the more reliable option, and the 2300 fits with the look I'm going for.

if you're using friction shifters you've a wide world of options - if i were using friction i'd go for a good quality suntour rear mech - cyclone , cyclone 2 (very nice -very light), VGT, XC pro and ltd and more

they go for pennies because they don't match shimano indexing but are quality all the way through - and will nicely match a retro tourer. also they'll run 7, 8, 9 speed chain no probs - meaning you can change wheels / speeds later if you want (but if you ever want to go to indexing later you've got to replace it all)

if you run a 7 speed on the rear (small shim in behind the cassette to fit on 8/9 speed hub - or in front if you're not running a 11t sprocket.) you can get super cheap strong chains. they seem to hike up between 7 and 8 speed 9 and 10 seem to be very expensive.

tiagra will run an 8 speed chain no probs - i used a gs200 rear mech on my tourer - 2nd to bottom of range (60 grams heavier than the xt equivalent but same geometry the jockey wheel was a little wobbly and i replaced but apart from that - perfect. )