Rear Mech upgrade

Redfred237

Hi,
I'm looking to upgrade my rear mech from the bog standard shimano Alvio thats fitted to my Trek 4300. Has any one got any advice as to which bit of kit is suitable for 8 speed and thats reliable. :?:

Cheers

nicklouse

what is wrong with the Alivio?

blister pus

depends on the age of the Alivio as to what's wrong with them I've found.

The older ones are pants, the springs lose tension and things like your shifting starts wandering all over the place and you get ghosting. The new ones that are Deore based and actually look different from the old Alivio are pretty reasonable in comparison. I swapped one for one not long back.

I do however have to check set up pretty regularly though to keep things running as smooth as they can.

peter413

TBH you would probably be better getting new shifters. Shifters make more difference to a drivtrain than the rear mech INE.

Although why not save up a little and go 9 speed (new cassette, new shifter and rear mech and new chain)

blister pus

peter413 wrote:

TBH you would probably be better getting new shifters. Shifters make more difference to a drivtrain than the rear mech INE.

Not if the spring mechanism is on it's way out on an Alivio it needs replacing before ghosting starts. And you can feel the drop in performance before ghosting starts (which is time for a new rear mech anyway)

Redfred237

Hi, thanks for all your help and interest.
The problem that I get is constantly having to sort out indexing. I've replaced rear cassette and chain, I lubricate all the time with good oil not just teflon spray. There is play in the pivot pins of the mech itself and also the jockey wheels seem to have a lot of play, not sure how much play would make a differance. thought that if mech was worn out I'd upgrade at same time. bike is 3 years old.
I use bike to commute about 36 miles per week most weeks and in all weather and then off road xc at week ends. currently saving for new bike to just have for off road.

supersonic

Sounds like it may need replacing if there is play. I usually find these mechs to be pretty good. The top jockey wheel is required to have play.

Could be a cable issue too.

I'd get another Alivio or Deore rear mech.

chicken_leg

I was planning the same thing myself. Have a Marin Muirwoods which I love, but just replaced a fairly worn chain and still have iffy shifting which is making me wonder if the cassette is worn also.

If I can't sort the shifting by fine tuning the cable tension, then now is the time to upgrade. At the moment I have Alivio/Deore 8spd. If I replace with a 9spd XT rear mech and shifter, will there be any compatibility issues with the existing Alivio/Nexave front mech??

I'm not in any hurry, just figured on keeping an eye out for a decent deal. If anybody knows of one, a pointer in the right direction would be much appreciated.
Cheers

supersonic

The mech should be ok, but the chainrings may not be 9spd compatible.

Try new, clean cables.