Quality 8 or 9-speed

I’m building up a Genesis Croix de Fer frameset. Is it still possible to buy decent quality transmission components that are 7/8 or 9-speed compatible, or is only the cheapest Shimano stuff available? I need straight bar pod-shifters, front and rear mechs and a triple chainset. Any ideas?

bgnukem via our Forum

Take a look at MicroSHIFT’s R8 or R9 eight- or nine-speed components, which cover the mechs and shifters. They are available for both flat and drop bars. See microshift.com.tw. Suitable Shimano-pattern cassettes are still available and will even fit an 11-speed Shimano freehub with a suitable spacer. One chainset option is Shimano’s FC-R453 Octalink for 3x9 speed use.

Richard Hallett

​​​Cycle’s Technical Editor

​​This was first published in the August/September 2015 edition of Cycling UK's Cycle magazine.

This Q&A was published in 'Cycle' the magazine for members of Cycling UK. To contact the experts, email your technical, health, legal or policy questions to editor@cyclinguk.org or write to Cycle Q&A, PO Box 313, Scarborough, YO12 6WZ