Does new cassette mean new levers?

[Johnny5]

Just a quick noob question.

I currently have an 8 speed cassette on my new road bike (Giant Defy 4). If I was to replace it with a 9, 10 or 11 speed cassette, will I have to get new 9, 10 or 11 speed levers? Or will the ones already on my bike be ok?

 

[spandex]

Sorry mate but yes you will have to change them as well.

 

[Johnny5]

Oh well, new cassette will have to wait then, I'll just stick to the 8 speed one for now.

I was thinking of getting a new pair of wheels in the next few months and though I might change the cassette aswell.

No worries.

 

[bonj2]

new chain as well if you change the cassette

 

[Dave5N]

new chain as well if you change the cassette

Depends.

 

[bonj2]

try it... might skip, might not.

 

[Johnny5]

Gunna get new wheels first, either a set of Fulcrum racing 5 or Mavic Aksium. I think I might aswell get a new groupset after that!

 

[02GF74]

what bike? what levers? if they are the old style down tube one, then no.

otherwise yes since the gear levers control how much cable is release which in turn controls how far the shifter moves, and this last part has to match the spacing on the cassette.

not sure but you may need new rings on the front for narrower chains (pretty sure they are spaced closer together - anyone confirm?) althoiugh I suspect they will still work.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I'd stick with 8 speed and spend the money on some decent wheels if i were you.

 

[02GF74]

I'd stick with 8 speed and spend the money on some decent wheels if i were you.

yeah save up until the 12 speed come out!!

 

[Big John]

Stick to 8 speed if I were you. I've got 10 sprockets at the back and in reality only use about 3 on a regular basis. I rarely go in the small ring on the front either. Why I went 10 speed god only knows.

 

[theboytaylor]

Gunna get new wheels first, either a set of Fulcrum racing 5 or Mavic Aksium. I think I might aswell get a new groupset after that!

That's what I've decided to do as well - this will probably give me the biggest step up in performance for the money I can spend. Although 8spd is pretty old, there are still plenty of places you can get 8spd cassettes. I don't see it being a problem until I've virtually run the system into the ground.

BTW, I've gone for handbuilt Open Pro rims + Ultegra hubs . Picking them up this arvo.