Current Projects chat and miscellany

Does the same answer apply to me, any new Shimano MTB 8 speed derailleur and cassette?

Yes, in fact you can use a 9-speed dérailleur, so you won't be stuck with cheap stuff. If you have no budget, though, you could take my Alivio off my hands, it's only supposed to cope with a 30t sprocket but I used it with no problems with a 32.