To change to 8 speeds, several components needed to be changed. I needed an 8 speed cassette and an 8 speed shifter. The same 7 speed chain can be used as the sprocket width and spacer width of the 8 speed cassette is similar to the 7 speed cassette. Main difference is that the 8 speed cassette has one more sprocket and spacer, thus it needs a wider freehub for the cassette. The new Kinetix Comp wheels are compatible with 8 or 9 speed cassettes, so no problem there.
The original Dahon Neos Derailleur can also still be used. Since the indexing of the gears are all within the shifter, the rear derailleur actually does not care how many speeds there are, it just shifts as instructed to by the shifter. Besides, the Neos derailleur also shifts very well, with its crisp and quick shifting.
Decided to get a SRAM cassette as they have the cassette in the 11-28T configuration. This gives a wide enough range for speed and also for climbing hills. However Treknology, the SRAM distributor in Singapore, does not carry the cassette in this configuration. No choice, have to buy online. Got the PG-850 cassette with 11-28T configuration. 11-12-14-16-18-21-24-28
Sourced around for suitable 8 speed shifters, and realised that its really hard to find 8 speed stuff nowadays. Large stores like Rodalink only have 9 speeds and above stuff. Looked around the neighbourhood bike stores nearby and there were some Shimano shifter+brake lever combo. But don't really like it since I already have the excellent Avid brake levers. Seen below are the combo 7 and 8 speed shifter+brake lever.
Once again, went online to find suitable 8 speed shifters. Discovered the SRAM Attack 8 speed trigger shifters that are compatible with the Neos RD, but shipping was expensive. Found that actually Treknology has those shifters, and MBS can help me get those. Had to wait, while the stock for those shifters arrived.Finally everything was ready. SRAM Attack 8 speed trigger shifters and 8 speed cassette. Brought everything down to MBS in order to change the parts, because at that time I didn't have the correct tools. Actually I also changed to the Kinetix Comp at the same time, while I changed the cassette and shifters.
Since the shifter has been changed from grip shift to trigger shift, I can no longer use the original grips which is shorter on the right side. Went to Soon Watt to get Ergon grips with bar ends, model is GX-2 with magnesium bar end.
At this point, the Boardwalk has been extensively modified, with the wheels, tires, brakes and shifters being changed. Certainly a good 8 speed bike that performs well with good components all around.
From the pictures I remembered that I had also bought a 2nd hand Biologic Postpump for my bike. A very good pump on its own, best of all is that it hides inside the seatpost and does not need to be clipped anywhere on the bike. It is nearly as good as a full sized floor pump, and much better than a hand pump. Will come in really useful if needed on the road. However I later changed it out as I realised that I did not really need it and it was heavy anyway. On hindsight, I should have kept it instead of selling it away as it would be really useful for overseas cycling trips such as to Pengerang or Desaru.
In the next part, I will be documenting other upgrades on the bike, such as the seatpost and crankset. Stay tuned!
Hi, I am planning to change my mu p8 grip shifter to a trigger shifter( same like what you did. ) Any advice or things to take note for the trigger shifter to work on neos derailleur? Lastly, only SRAM attack trigger shifter can be used? How about Shimano Deore MTB shifter or Alivio SL-M410 shifter? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteactually the Shimano shifters will work better, as the pull ratio of the RD is the Shimano spec. yes the Alivio M410 8 speed shifter will work fine. but note that the gear indication will work the other way round as the RD is a low normal RD. meaning gear 1 will be highest gear while gear 8 is lowest. once you get used to it its OK
DeleteHi, Thanks for your reply. Anyway,i have already ordered SRAM attack 9spd shifter bcos i am planning to go 9 speed straightaway and Alivio doesnt come with a 9spd shifter. Hope SRAM attack will work. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteactually Alivio M430 series is 9 speed.
ReplyDeleteHi, it works wonderful. Nice look and so far smooth shifting. Thanks
DeleteHi, just to ask if bar end shifter is compatible with dahon speed p8 stock derailleur?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. If I'm not wrong, the Neos RD works with Shimano mtb shifters, but not road. The bar end shifter is used for road, so may not work probably.
DeleteOk, thanks!
ReplyDeletehello,I want to upgrade it to 9 gears for Dahon Mu p8 with Neos 2.0 derralieur.Just I want to make hill climbing better with 36 teeth casette.can I do it by just changing the cassette and the shifters without Neos derralieur?If yes shall the shifter be sram?Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou can use up to 9 speeds, but you can't use up to 36T as the Neos RD is not a MTB cassette and can't support such a big sprocket.
DeleteIf you want to use MTB cassette, you will need to get the RD hanger and get a MTB RD. Shifter must match the speed and brand of the MTB RD.
hi steve, i recently bought a shimano acera left shifter for my dahon boardwalk d7 that still uses the stock neos RD, n i realise the shifting orientation is the other way around.
ReplyDeleteif i thumb it it'd move to the smaller cog instead of like my mtb's shifting orientation. would sram trigger shifter solve this? kinda reluctant to get the RD adapter plus a new RD cuz i plan to upgrade the entire wheelset in future.
thx in advance for ur reply! :D
You mean you got the right side Acera shifter? The stock Boardwalk D7 has 7 speeds so I hope you got the correct 7 speed Acera shifter.
ReplyDeleteYes the gear indication is opposite, because the Neos RD is a low-normal RD, unlike standard RD which are top normal. You can google to see what this means.
The SRAM shifters also work this way, so it will be the same.
There is nothing wrong with the shifting, just that you will need to reverse the numbering.
Upgrading the wheelset has nothing to do with the RD and RD adaptor, just get it and change out the RD if you can't get used to the reversed gear numbering.
Yep I managed to get the 7 speed acera right shifter indeed. It shifts flawlessly, just that the thumb-tap orientation is now opposite from my other bike so I find it difficult as I use both bikes quite often.
ReplyDeleteGuess i'm gonna order the RD adapter n a new RD then, looking at acera m360 RD atm.
I mentioned the wheelset because I plan to upgrade to 9-speed along with the wheelset and therefore didn't wanna spend extra on getting the acera RD, which I'd have to replace again when I upgrade to 9 speed.
For 8/9/10 speed, the freehub body on the rear wheel is the same. It is a good idea to go directly to 9 speeds, as there are nicer components available. 8 speeds and below are classified as the low end range of products.
DeleteUnless you plan to use a wide range 9 speed cassette (larger than 30T), you should get a road 9 speed system. You can check out the Shimano Sora 3500 series, for the RD-3500 and shifter SL-3500.
Yeah i'm aware of that..
ReplyDeleteWould prefer wide range of gears esp for climbing but it'd require a longer RD that might get damaged easily on a 20" wheel right?
So might just get a road system with a double double laa, haven't really calculated the gear inches that I want or need
On single chainring, you can get a mid cage MTB RD that can support a 11-32T cassette. A mid cage rd is still OK, as you are not going offroad.
DeleteBut a road cassette is more suitable as the gear ratios are closer, and more comfortable for road riding.
For slope climbing, double chain ring is best.
Read the other posts and other online materials, don't seem to find much information on compatible trigger shifters for neos 1.0 rd.
ReplyDeleteMy intention is to swop out the grip shifter of a stock tern d8 to a trigger shifter. Are attack & acera compatible? In terms of lower end shifters, are there any choices for rapid rise neos?
You can use a Shimano MTB 8 speed shifter to replace the grip shifter. Try SL-M310 or SL-M360.
DeleteThe thing for me is the SL-M310 is thumb and index finger operated but I prefer thumb only operation. Do you know of a thumb-only operated trigger that would be compatible with the Neos 1.0 RD? thanks
DeleteJust use the SRAM attack shifter.
DeleteIt appears the SRAM attack is discontinued, I can't find it anywhere online. Not on ebay, Amazon, Google shopping etc. Unless maybe they changed the name of it or something. Whenever entering SRAM Attack in searches I always get a bunch of results for SRAM X4.
DeleteI might have to just go with the inferior Shimano.
If you are sticking to 8 speed,you don't have much choices. However, if you go to 9 speed, there is a better selection of shifters. SL-M4000 has 2 way release, which will allow you to release by either pulling or pushing the lever.
DeleteCan you help me decide?
ReplyDeleteI have a microshift 2x8 and im planning to change it to Attack by SRAM. My question is do i still need to change my RD and FD as well? Will the attack work on my Claris RD and FD?
Thanks!
As far as I know, Microshift uses Shimano MTB cable pitch. In this case, the SRAM Attack shifter uses the same cable pitch as Shimano MTB cable pitch, so yes you can change the shifter to SRAM Attack and it should work.
DeleteClaris is a Shimano road groupset and uses a different cable pitch from MTB.
What I suggest you do is actually to change all the RD, FD and shifters to one groupset instead of mix and match.
You can use Claris SL-2400, RD-2400 and FD-2400.
Thanks Steve!
DeleteClaris shifters are hard to find here in my country (PH) Can you suggest an SRAM FD & RD that is compatible on SRAM Attack?
I like the looks of SRAM that's why :)
That I am not too sure.
DeleteThanks again Steve!
DeleteMy folding bike has this components and i havent change anything except for cogs which is now 11-32 for uphill purposes.
Microshift 2x8 Shifters
Claris RD-2400 and FD-2400
Can you suggest any 8speed shifters, rd & fd to get?
Just change to Claris SL-2400 shifters and it will work well with your current Claris RD and FD.
Deletehi steve. read your article and find it very useful. I have a Mu P8, and want to change the grip shift. I saw an ad selling a used 3x8speed shimano ST-EF51 shift and brake combo. is the right side 8speed compatible? thanks
ReplyDeleteIt is best if you change to a Shimano mtb rd, such as M360 or M370, to match the Ef51 shifter.
Deletei see. thanks for the info. i just manage to find a Alivio 8 speed shifter.
DeleteTried to install the 2nd hand alivio shifter. shifting got stuck as the ergon GP1 handle was too thick. Now going for the EF51 approach. U suggested changing the rd to m360. Is it because of compatibility with the neos2.0 rd?
ReplyDeleteThe Neos RD is a low normal rd, which is opposite from most top normal rd. So it is better to use a compatible rd and shifter for better performance.
DeleteI followed your advice, and got a ef51, M360 RD, and a RD hanger. everything was fixed and had a good long ride this evening. the shifting was wonderful. crisp and accurate. I even got a set of litepro hollowtech crankset installed. Thank you for the advice.
DeleteHi, any reviews on litepro hollowtech crankset?
DeleteNope, I have not used them before.
DeleteHi, thank you for your posts. They have been very helpful for people looking to DIY. I am looking to replace the the grip shifters on my bike (neos RD and sram 3x8 grip shift).
ReplyDeleteI am looking at the SRAM X4 Trigger Shifters 3x8S and the Shimano SL-M310 3x8 Trigger Shifters. Will both of these work? Any idea which one would be more suitable?
Thank you.
The Neos RD will be compatible with the Shimano shifters
DeleteHello Steve, have been reading your blog and now inspired to overhaul/ upgrade my Dahon Speed D7. I'm trying to keep costs to minimum and do as much of the work as I can as a hobby. So far have stripped everything off, cleaned and waxed the frame (a lot of work) and deciding what parts to upgrade. I decided to keep with original wheelset and 7s RD but definitely want to get rid of the gripshift. Read above replies that this RD will work with most shimano shifters "in reverse" but in the context of 8 speeds. Will the Altus M310 7 speed trigger shifter work with my stock Neos RD?
ReplyDeleteSo far have managed to source Hollowtech II BB and new Deore 610 V brakes & levers as well, trying to find a good deal on crankset at the moment. Most likely will get a used 105/ultegra crankset with 53/39. Do you think there will be high chance of chain drop with the chain catcher installed? I want to be able to manually shift front rings depending on riding conditions.
Thank you for your help with my project
If you are going for Ultegra crankset and Deore brakes, I suggest upgrading the wheelset and shifting components too.
DeleteGet a front shifter and front derailleur, and you can have 2x10 or 2x11 speeds.
You will also need the front derailleur mount and also rear derailleur mount. The upgrade options are exactly the same as my Dahon Boardwalk.
Thank you for your suggestion! However I have decided I want to stick with the NEOS 7 speed RD for now and my main concern is whether the SHIMANO M310 ALTUS 7 speed shifter will work properly with this RD?
DeleteIt will work, but not perfect as i later on learnt that as the operation direction is opposite, the cable pitch will not match up perfectly.
Delete