Shimano Claris and SORA compatability?

diydad73

Hi all,

I am new to road cycling and have just purchased a Specialised Allez 2014 from Tredz. The drive train spec should be Shimano Claris 8 speed. However the bike has come with a Shimano Claris rear mech (which I am lead to believe is an 8 speed mech??). A 9 speed cassette (27 T - 12 T) an 8 speed ( 7.1 mm thick ) KMC Z narrow chain and a Shimano SORA 9 speed shifter.

The chain kept jumping and not engaging the sprockets, so I have changed it to a normal 9 speed chain from my mountain bike and it seems to work fine.

I dont understand how this mis-match of equipment can be compatible, and I am not sure if it will cause any long term damage. I spoke with Tredz and they cant understand how it got past their QC procedure and how it is working, they have offered to send me a new 9 speed chain. I don't want the hassle of having to send the bike back and am happy to accept this as a solution if it continues to work. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks

NeXXus

Rear mechs don't have a "speed" as they will only move in relation to the number of clicks on the shifter ie: 8/9/10/11 and the amount of cable it will pull per click

Initialised

Rear derailers are pretty much all interchangable,it works the other way too, I'm running a 105 (10 speed) mech on Sora levers (9 Speed). Chain, shifters and cassette should all have the same number of gears.

Theoretically Sora is better than Claris so see it as an upgrade.

I'd accept the 9 speed chain as running an 8 speed chain on a 9 speed cassette may be problematic.

diydad73

Thanks guys advice appreciated.