10 spd clutch derailleur conversion for 9 spd

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10 spd clutch derailleur conversion for 9 spd
Author Message
flag notsosikmik
O+
Posted: Jun 10, 2014 at 6:47 Quote
I had a 7 spd (modded from 9 spd cassette) set up working perfectly with a x7 hifter and zee derailleur with no shims. I upgraded to a saint shifter (9 spd) yesterday and now I can't get it to work. Is the spacing different from sram 9spd and shimano 9 spd cassettes or something? Do I need to shim the cable? any one else running this I would appreciate the input . . .
flag aggro
Posted: Jun 10, 2014 at 7:26 Quote
mixmastamikal wrote:
I had a 7 spd (modded from 9 spd cassette) set up working perfectly with a x7 hifter and zee derailleur with no shims. I upgraded to a saint shifter (9 spd) yesterday and now I can't get it to work. Is the spacing different from sram 9spd and shimano 9 spd cassettes or something? Do I need to shim the cable? any one else running this I would appreciate the input . . .

Yes you are correct, the pull ratio is different between Shimano and SRAM. Hence the reason why a SRAM 9 spd shifter works with a Shimano 10 speed derailleur. You will need to go back to SRAM in order for it to work.
flag notsosikmik
O+
Posted: Jun 10, 2014 at 7:57 Quote
Can I just change the cassette spacing to get this to work?
flag aggro
Posted: Jun 10, 2014 at 8:19 Quote
mixmastamikal wrote:
Can I just change the cassette spacing to get this to work?

You could try, but I imagine that will take a lot of work. We're talking mm differences (+/-) so I can't really see that being a viable option. Just to clarify, the differences in pull ratio is in the shifters. Shimano is something like 2:1 and SRAM is 1:1. So it's not quite as simple as swapping a cassette or trying to space things differently. Unfortunately it looks like you'll have to go back to your X7 or upgrade to a 10 spd system. Well I guess upgrading to a X9 or X0 would work as well.
flag notsosikmik
O+
Posted: Jun 10, 2014 at 12:21 Quote
Well I will try to tweek the spacing and see what I get but looks like I might be getting that 10 speed going. Sucks cause that saint looks real nice on there.
flag JacquesGeere
Posted: Jun 11, 2014 at 3:06 Quote
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flag Hertz32
Posted: Jun 12, 2014 at 3:52 Quote
Would be interesting to see if the new 11sp XTR mech is going to be 9/10sp compatible with a SRAM shifter Wink
flag craigyboi
Posted: Jun 29, 2014 at 0:33 Quote
Hi am assuming the same applies to 10speed xt too? Not sure if to get a 9 speed mech or SRAM shifter????
flag aggro
Posted: Jun 29, 2014 at 14:53 Quote
Decided to go with a SLX for my all mountain build. To be honest I had my doubts about all the reports of people getting this to work without any spacers, but I can successfully report that I paired it with a SRAM X9 shifter without any issues. No spacers were needed.

@craigyboi - I'm not entirely sure what your asking but to take a stab at your question that I think your asking, yes the mod will work with a XT derailleur. It is no different than a Zee or SLX in regards to pull ratio, so you are good.

Regarding the shifter I would go with a SRAM if you are planning on sticking with a 9 speed system. If you want to eventually move to a 10 speed than just save up and wait. I'd say this is more of a bandaid fix for all of us who don't want to dish out the cash for 10 speed.
flag droppindown
FL
Posted: Jun 29, 2014 at 17:20 Quote
Sucessfully just added a 10 speed ZEe derailler to my sram x9 shifter. With a little dialing in it works great for all 9 gears with no spacers needed
flag skerby
Posted: Jul 7, 2014 at 21:46 Quote
Another success. Sram x5 with a zee derailleur. Needed a .208" spacer
This thread was super helpful.
flag a-d-e
O+
Posted: Jul 7, 2014 at 23:37 Quote
the basic science means a shimano 10spd mech are extremely close to a sram 9spd mech. so thats the only straight swap component. if you have a sram 9spd x 5 7 9 0 shifter & 9 spd cassette already then you can bang on a saint or zee or any shimano 10spd clutch mech & away you go - straight swap & the ONLY 9spd clutch option i think?? at a later date you could upgrade to 10 spd system by buying a saint shifter or other shimano 10spd shifter & 10spd cassette.
flag Mea03pj
Posted: Jul 7, 2014 at 23:40 Quote
Perhaps this is a silly question, but I can't see it mentioned anywhere... What chains are you guys running for this? Will a 9 speed chain not be too wide to sit within the cages of a 10 speed mech?
flag SintraFreeride
O+
Posted: Jul 8, 2014 at 1:02 Quote
Mea03pj wrote:
Perhaps this is a silly question, but I can't see it mentioned anywhere... What chains are you guys running for this? Will a 9 speed chain not be too wide to sit within the cages of a 10 speed mech?

Normal 9 speed chain works just find and so does an 8 speed (I run 8 speed cassette, 8 speed sram x4 shifter with a 10 speed shimano zee 10speed deraileur with a small spacer).
flag jefwilli
Posted: Jul 9, 2014 at 17:53 Quote
From what I've seen any 9 or 10 speed will work; I run a 9 speed SRAM (PC-951) (they're cheaper and easier).

 


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