8 Speed for Touring

[troppo]

Hi All, first post from a longtime lurker.

I’m convinced 8 speed is perfect for touring, anybody got any recommendations for a suitable rear mech?

So far I’ve come across t8000 rd which I think is compatible.

[rifraf]

Welcome to the forum Troppo

[LG]

Road or mtb shifters, or do you have a planned model shifters? The shifter will need to be compatible with the cable pull of the RD.

I like using 9 speed shimano RDs (xt if I can), compatible with road shifters up to 10 speed (with a couple exceptions), including 8 speed.

[Thoglette]

Road or mtb shifters, or do you have a planned model shifters? The shifter will need to be compatible with the cable pull of the RD.

Doesn’t matter for Shimano 8 speed.
Shimano 8, 9 and 10sp road all have the same pull.

The Deore T8000 is offroad 10sp and won’t work. The 9sp Deore will, if you want the modern transformer-movie look.
Personally, I want to try the SunXCD SXRD34M as most of my gear has that chrome aesthetic.

Grant Peterson has had a fair bit to say over at rivbike about the direction and type of derailleurs

[LG]

Road or mtb shifters, or do you have a planned model shifters? The shifter will need to be compatible with the cable pull of the RD.

Doesn’t matter for Shimano 8 speed.
Shimano 8, 9 and 10sp road all have the same pull.

The Deore T8000 is offroad 10sp and won’t work. The 9sp Deore will, if you want the modern transformer-movie look.
Personally, I want to try the SunXCD SXRD34M as most of my gear has that chrome aesthetic.

Grant Peterson has had a fair bit to say over at rivbike about the direction and type of derailleurs

My understanding is that Tiagra 4700 10 speed uses the same cable pull as the other shimano 11 speed groupsets, and thus is the exception to the 8, 9, 10 speed compatability rule (worth mentioning just in case). Then of course the 10 speed mtb change of cable pull stuffed up the backward compatibility options. I've settled on 9 speed for our touring bikes, with mtb RDs working with mtb, road integrated and bar end shifters on different bikes.

[Thoglette]

My understanding is that Tiagra 4700 10 speed uses the same cable pull as the other shimano 11 speed groupsets, and thus is the exception to the 8, 9, 10 speed compatability rule (worth mentioning just in case).

Thanks!

[WheelsOfChance]

I'm jumping into this thread a little late but I have set one of my bicycles up as a wide range 8 speed which I have taken on tours with a light load i.e. rear panniers only.

* 33t chainwheel on the front.
* Sunrace M680 8 Speed Bicycle Cassette 11-40T at the back.
* Shimano Altus Rd-M310 7/8-Speed Rear Derailleur. Great RD!
Grant Peterson likes it too https://www.rivbike.com/collections/der ... m310-17167).
* Rear derailleur hanger extender to get the RD to work with the 40T. Wolf Tooth Goatlink is the brand name but I bought a noname $10 one on ebay.

This gives me on my bike a gearing range of 22.5 to 82 inches. I don't mind not having a higher gear when touring.

I use friction shifting but see no reason why this wouldn't work indexed.

[zebee]

Alfine Nexus 8 speed in hub gear? Can't tweak the ranges but with a triple on the front you are covered for just about everything.

[australiantourer]

Why limit yourself to a single chain wheel? My benchmark for touring is 20-110 gear inches, easily achieved with a double or triple chainwheel set. No need then for very large rear sprockets or for hanger extenders — 32 t or maybe less will suffice at the back. You will have better chain lines too with multiple chain wheels, with an easier life for your chain. The cassettes will be cheaper and more easily found.