Can I use 7-speed shifters with a 9-speed cassette?

[swee'pea99]

I have a pair of Sora 7-speed shifters, and a wheel with a 9-speed block on it. Can I use them, obviously with the caveat that I have to accept I can't use, say, the two smallest sprockets? (Which TBH would be no great loss...I never go that fast.)

 

[robgul]

No - doesn't work quite like that - the "steps" (i.e. the cable pulls for the changes) are different for 7 or 9 speed.

For older style shifters you can often get a away with setting them in friction mode (i.e. not indexed) and using a 7, 8 or 9 speed ... it just takes a bit of practice to get the feel of the cable pull required on the lever (my Galaxy with bar-end shifters are actually 9 speed but work perfectly in friction with a 7 speed cassette)

Rob

 

[Milo]

I weirdly have just managed to get an 7 speed down tube indexed shifter to work with an 8 speed cassette. Not sure how though. Had just been using it on friction mode before.

 

[cyberknight]

I weirdly have just managed to get an 7 speed down tube indexed shifter to work with an 8 speed cassette. Not sure how though. Had just been using it on friction mode before.

The difference between 7 and 8 speed is close enough that you can do it, i have done the same but 7 to 9 is to much and i doubt you could get the cassette to index properly .

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks all. Guess I'd better get a 7-speed cassette.

 

[simon the viking]

You should get a 7 speed cassette for a tenner

 

[steve52]

i managed to get a seven speed shifter to work on a 5 speed block
its not perfect but works just have to do an extra click on gears when they start jumping

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Thanks all. Guess I'd better get a 7-speed cassette.

plus a 4.5mm spacer.