how interchangable is shimano

[hfxgearhead]

I am wondering if you can use lx with xt and deore? Does it depend on which components?

Like can i use and sram5.0 cassette with an xt rear derailler? or even an LX rear derailler?

so much to learn so litle time :)
cheers

[Andy in Wi]

Well, Shimano goes like this:

There is hyperglide, interglide, and um... something glide I think. Basically, you shouldn't use a hyperglide chain with interglide drive equipment and vice versa.
However, companies like sram and those germans that make conneX chains make compatible chains (sram cassettes are hg compatible I think. Maybe IG too) that work on both IG and HG stuff. So, you can use a sram 5.0 cassette with a sram pc-48 (or 59 if 9 spd), just about any lx or xt or deore or anything 8 spd (or 9 spd) on the rear, and just about anything up front.

[hfxgearhead]

Originally posted by Andy in Wi

So, you can use a sram 5.0 cassette with a sram pc-48 (or 59 if 9 spd), just about any lx or xt or deore or anything 8 spd (or 9 spd) on the rear, and just about anything up front.

Kewl thanks for the info... i have an Acera Rear Freehub - FH-M330 and want to put on a sram5.0 8sp cassette... The thing is the product info on shimanos site labels the hub as - FH-MC18...8spd.. but the info for
fh-m330 online says 7spd... dilemas dilemas. i do have a spare deore8spd freehub sitting around, but do i really want to goto the trouble of building up a wheel from forraged components.. is it just easier/cheaper to buy one?

I think it is time to admit defeat and trundle to the shop...
Cheers!

[steelbike]

The SRAM 5.0 cassette is 8 speed Shimano compatible and will work with your Shimano drivetrain if it is 8 speed. If your drivetrain is 7 or 9 speed then you will need the compatible cassette
Can you interchange LX and XT? Sure you can. In fact bike companies have spec'ed their bikes with this combination plenty of times.
If you do get a new cassette, do yourself a favor and get a new chain too. Old chains don't always get along with new cassettes.
Try it yourself if you have the right tools. Here's some help:

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQcogs.shtml

[Andy in Wi]

Shimano for awhile had (has) a compact 8 speed cassette. Essentially, it is 9 speed spacing with 8 cogs as opposed to nine. 8/9 speed freehub bodies will be different, so you are out of luck on that 330 hub. Different spacing = different shifter. You can, however, hack one gear off an 8 speed cassette and use a seven or eight speed shifter tuned for 7 gears. Getting a 7 speed cassette is easier, but I think that is becoming harder to do.
Maybe a new wheelset would be better in this case, but that cost money, which not everyone has a whole shi... a....fu..... um.... wad of.
WiBA