8-Speed Shifter and Front Mech upgrade advice

troy45

Hi, I'm just looking for some advice about upgrading some of the gearshift components on my GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc 2005 vintage mtb. The bike gets mainly used for road/trail mileage with only very rare trip onto the proper rough stuff.

I've recently bought a set of Avid Juicy 3 brakes and as my bike comes with integrated brakes/shifters these will need changing. As the bike is 8 speed my options seem fairly limited for choosing standalone 8-speed shifters, with Shimano Alivio seeming the best bet so far unless I fall lucky with a set of XT's on ebay at the moment. Are there any other options out there regarding 8-speed shifters and what's the general opinion on the Alivio's?

Secondly I've decided to replace the front mech at the same time as the shifters. Currently the bike runs a Suntour XCC322, I have picked up a Shimano Deore M531 but looking at it's specs now this appears that it's not compatible with 8 speed systems. I can't find much info saying which other Shimano front mechs are suitable for 8-speed apart from Alivio (again) and I assume I'll need a top-swing version to match what's currently fitted?

Any advice about what i'm considering would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

nicklouse

Looked at the Attack and Rocket shifters from sram?

shimano rear mech compatable and come in 8spd. SLX and XTish lever kit.

Front mechs all will work you may just get a touch more rub from a 9 sped.

troy45

thanks for the help Nick - I'll keep the Deore front mech then and have a look at the SRAM kit you suggested. I hardly ever use the lower front ring so if the Deore can be set up fine for the middle and upper that'll do I reckon.

Had a look on my bike now and the front mech actually looks like it's a Conventional pull after all.

Cheers