In many instances, it is possible to mix different levels of shifters and derailleurs from the same brand (e.g. Dura-Ace/Ultegra/105; Red/Force/Rival; Super Record/Record/Chorus), however it's not safe to assume that this will always be the case.
Do shifters have to match derailleur?
The shifters and derailleurs need to match. Front: Sram and Shimano work with eachother on the front derailleur. Rear: Sram and Shimano do NOT work with eachother on the rear. They have different pull ratios and you need to match brands here.
Can you use any shifter with any derailleur?
No, different maker or different model with different number of "speed" shifters have different pull ratio (i.e. the length of cable pulled by a single shift). Usually it's safe to use different model with same number of gears from the same maker.
Can I use any shifter with Shimano derailleur?
Shimano derailleur compatibility
Most 8- and 9-speed Shimano mountain bike and road kit is inter-compatible because they both use the same cable pull ratio. This means that you can use an 8 -or 9-speed mountain bike derailleur with road shifters or vice versa.
Can you mix and match shifters?
No. The ratio has to be the same, so the rear shifter and derailleur have to be the same brand. You can mix SRAM and Shimano for the front shifter and derailleur, though. And the brand of crankset doesn't matter.
29 related questions foundWill 10 speed shifter work with 11-speed cassette?
No, that will not work. The shifts will not line up across the entire range, because an 11-speed cassette is not just a 10-speed cassette with an extra cog stuck on at the same spacing.
Will 7 speed shifters work with 9 speed cassette?
If you used a 7 speed cassette, with a 9 speed shifter and 7 speed derailleur you would not pull enough cable and the shifts will get mangled. If you are currently on 7 Speeds, this means you have a 7 speed wheel that will most likely NOT take a 9 speed cassette.
Will 7 speed shifter work with 6 speed cassette?
Re: Can you use a 7 speed shifter on a 6 speed cassette? The "numbers" say they don't match. The cable pull of a 7 speed is less than a 6 speed so, though a couple of cogs might work, the rest will gradually not. You'll never know if you don't try it.
Can you put a 7 speed shifter on a 6 speed bike?
You would need to either add a 7 speed cassette or use 7 speed spacers on the current 6 speed cassette. Are you sure it's a cassette? Many 6 speeds are freewheel. The derailleur should work fine.
Can I use 6 speed shifter with 7 speed cassette?
A 7 speed shifter will work just fine with your 6 speed mech, so you only need a new (or new to you) shifter.
Will 9 speed derailleur work with 8 speed cassette?
Condensed answer: 8 and 9-speed derailleurs have the same rear shift ratio but only when both models are made either by Shimano or SRAM. In consequence, a 9-speed derailleur can work just fine with an 8-speed cassette produced by the same brand.
Can you mix Shimano components?
It is possible to mix and match as long as you get components from the same generation. For example: 9000 Dura Ace, 6800 Ultegra, and 5800 105 are all cross compatible. Each have 11-speeds in the rear, use the same cable pull per shift and use the same front derailleur design.
Will any Shimano shifter work?
Shimano shifters, whether for 6, 7, 8, or 9 speeds are compatible with all the Shimano RDs for 6 to 9 speeds, and with Shimano 10 speed road RDs (not with 10 speed MTB RDs). Update: a new exception are Shimano Tiagra 4700 road 10-speed shifters, and Shimano GRX gravel series shifters.
Will a 9 speed derailleur work on a 10-speed cassette?
A 9-speed Shimano derailleur will work on a 10-speed cassette if the shifter is also made by Shimano and designed for road bikes. It's also possible to combine a new 9-speed derailleur by Campagnolo with a 10-speed shifter and cassette made by Campagnolo.
Can you use a 12 speed derailleur on 11 speed cassette?
So there you go folks, there is no difference in indexing spacing between 11 and 12 speed, the difference is all at the derailleur end. So you can't use a 12 speed derailleur on an 11 speed setup or vice versa but you can you an xtr 12/11 speed shifter on an 11 speed drivetrain.
Can I use 7 speed shifter with 8 speed cassette?
The takeaway is that you can use an 8sp cassette with a 7sp shifter and expect it to index flawlessly. You can also space a 7sp cassette onto an 8sp hub by putting a 12t or 13t sprocket from an old cassette behind it, so long as the rivets don't interfere.
Will a 7 speed derailleur work on a 6 speed?
So yes, a six speed rear derailleur will work correctly with 7, 8 or 9 rear speed systems. The derailleurs in these speed groups will all move the same amount based on the amount of cable pulled by the shifter.
What is the difference between a freewheel and a cassette?
What is the main difference between freewheel and cassette hub? The freewheel is a single-unit and the act of pedaling tightens the freewheel to the hub. Whereas the cassette hub is a set of gears (cogs) that slides onto a cassette and is held in place by a lock ring.
Can I put an 11 speed cassette on a 9 speed hub?
An 11-speed cassette will fit on a 9-speed hub only when the hub is wide enough. Luckily, 8,9,10 and 11-speed mountain bike hubs have the same spacing, and one can therefore use an 11-speed cassette on all of them.
Can you put a 7 speed cassette on a 11 speed hub?
Condensed answer: A 7-speed cassette can be installed on an 11-speed hub. Since 7-speed cassettes are narrower than 11-speed cassettes, the installation will require the use of a spacer to make up for the gap left on the hub.
Are 9 and 10 speed cassettes the same width?
they are the same width. The distance between the 9 speed gears is ever so slightly wider than on a 10 speed cassette (hence why 10 speed chains need thinner side plates than 9 speed ones.
Are 10 and 11 speed derailleurs the same?
the 10 speed and 11 speed derailleurs are interchangeable as far as the shifters go, the difference is that a 10 speed derailleur doesn't like a cassette cog much bigger than the 36t it was designed for, where the 11 speed derailleurs are designed for 40 and 42t cogs, and seem to be able to handle bigger.
Is SRAM Force 10 speed?
The SRAM Force Rear Derailleur takes advantage of Exact Actuation, an actuation ratio that delivers precise 3mm shifts in every gear along with the widest range of adjustment available, delivering the best 10-speed performance in the sport.
Can I use 10 speed shifter with 11 speed derailleur?
Can An 11-speed Derailleur Work With a 10-speed Cassette and Shifter? Condensed Answer: Shimano's 11-speed derailleurs have a different rear shift ratio than 10-speed derailleurs and are therefore not compatible with 10-speed indexed shifters.
Can I use a 7 speed derailleur on an 8 speed cassette?
8 speed shifter and cassette, 7 speed derailleur? You'll be fine. There's no "probably" about it. 6-, 7- and 8-speed gear is all cross-compatible in terms of chain width.
