957 - 9 speed Upgrade?

[ReBeL]

Hey there every buddy!
I’m curious if anyone has upgraded a 957 from 8 to 9 speed? Is there any clearance issues? The bike isn’t physically in my hands at this time so I can’t just test fit it with my current wheel off my trek. Also what are your opinions on Dual Control vs. Trigger shifters.
We’re planning on upgrading Jinder’s 957 because a few shops in the area have had him running in circles trying to Frankenstein the rear of his bike and its gotten no better. They have a compact cassette with the old avid roll-a-ma-jig on the original derailleur and the original shifters. All they have tried is adjusting cable tension and this cassette and now its even more difficult to hill climb and it still skips and ghost shifts. This bike was bought used and I believe the shifters to be worn and sloppy and the spring in the derailleur to be weak after all these years. I was thinking of an 11-34 cassette, cables, crisp new shifters, Derailleur and throwing that roll-a-ma-jig in the garbage. Jinder wants to stick with Shimano so we’re thinking of going with XT.
So anyways what do you guys think? Stick with 8 or is 9 speed possible?

[jeffhop]

ive been running nine speed since i got my xpx and its also on my oz, the cassette width is exactly the same on 9 speed as it is with 8 speed its just a difference in the spacing of the cogs. im a big fan of sram shifters and mechs but i suppose its each to their own. my oz runs sram x-9 and the xpx used to run sram esp9 till i sold the frame.

[Ade]

I put 9 speed on my 957 when I built it up. XTR rear mech and trigger shifters with XT cassette and original XT front mech. Was building up from frame and 9 speed is what's around now, it works well but I don't see any major advantage over 8 speed when riding.

Got a rear mech with thumb going to bigger cogs and spring pulling to smaller - whatever that's called. Was told it's better that way for muddy uk.

cheers
Ade

[orange]

I saw one of them in Biketreks in Ambleside recently on a Deore rear mech - never seen it before - was intrigued - seems eminently sensible - does it work well in practice?

[K23K]

I’ve got a ProFlex 3000, basically the same bike as your 957. I’m running a 9 speed cassette, xtr short cage rear derailleur, xtr front derailleur and xtr M960 dual control shifters. I’ve got a FSA titanium pro bottom bracket (73mm English thread, 118mm spindle length) I’ve run a 73mm with a 113mm spindle length as well, they both work fine. I’m currently running wipperman connex 9x1 stainless steel chain and keep it coated with maxima chain wax. Everything lines up good and the whole mix works great.

[ReBeL]

Thanks for the Pointers Guys!

I got 1 question now...How do you like the Wipperman chain? I was told about them but kind of leary about getting one because of the price. Is it really that much better the sram or shimano?

[K23K]

Your right, it is expensive, I bought it off eBay for like $80.00 including shipping. There are discussion boards you can find about its performance, I've never heard anything negative about wipperman connex 9x1, the specs are off the chart. This set-up works excellent for me.

Good Luck!

[kiwi]

how come jinder doesnt come and play himself

[shovelon]

how come jinder doesnt come and play himself

He fell head over heals in love. :-)

[ReBeL]

LOL He gets Married tomorrow!!!

So the upgrade has now been put off, but atleast we know that there are no issues with 9speed.

On a side note my brother is switching to sram so Jinder will be able to test my brothers ride and see if he likes sram.

Thanks guys!!!

[jeffhop]

must admit i prefer sram over shimano, give my congratulations to jinder on the happy event.