10 speed chain sets wiith 9 speed drive chain

[blippo1984]

Hi,

I love my relatively new road bike - apart from the cranks and BB which are heavy and spongey.

I'm used to a MTB with XT so I would prefer something decent and top end but I'm confused as most chainsets appear to be 10 speed and my drive chain is 9 speed.

I guess I have two questions - first being can I get away with using a 10 speed chainset with minimal rubbing? I'm aware a 9 speed chain might be thicker but does it matter?

Secondly, any recommendations on what to get? As noted, used to XT on an MTB but happy to buy Deore equivalent if differences are intangible

[HardWorkers]

I think the 9-speed chain will be too thick to run on a 10-speed cassette.

[HardWorkers]

Oh, and the mid-range Shimano road gear is called Ultegra but it's not cheap. Next level down is called 105 and it's fine, although the shifters can be a bit prone to breakage.

[CoolC]

As your just talking about chainsets, I think you should be fine.

IIRC 9 and 10 speed chainrings have the same dimensions, it is at the cassette end where it makes a difference, but I suspect your not planing on changing any of that.

[HardWorkers]

That's true actually, I've overcomplicated it.

If you just want to change the chainset - cranks and chainwheels and maybe BB - you'll have no issues with a 9-speed chain.

[blippo1984]

Just to clarify I am talking chainset/cranks. I'll be running 9 speed chain, cassette, shifters etc

[HardWorkers]

Then a change will be fine. I'm a bit baffled by the "heavy and spongey" comment though.

What components are on your bike at the moment? I'd be surprised if a chainset change will show much difference. Might make the bike very slightly lighter but that's about it.

[blippo1984]

FSA Vero. Lots of creaking and flex from BB area - they look and feel like OEM parts. I just don't like them.

[shalmaneser]

You should be OK, but as ever your mileage may vary.

[blippo1984]

How would my mileage vary? Do you mean the chain will cause additional wear?

[shalmaneser]

blippo1984 said:

How would my mileage vary? Do you mean the chain will cause additional wear?

I just mean it might be slightly different in your specific case, but generally it should be OK.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=YMM...

[anonymous-user]

blippo1984 said:

Just to clarify I am talking chainset/cranks. I'll be running 9 speed chain, cassette, shifters etc

I run Ultegra 10sp chainset/DA front mech/Tiagra 9sp shifters/105 rear mech/9sp chain/cassette. It works fine.

[Gizmoish]

HardWorkers said:

Oh, and the mid-range Shimano road gear is called Ultegra but it's not cheap. Next level down is called 105 and it's fine, although the shifters can be a bit prone to breakage.

Ultegra, mid-range?

I mean, it's not Di2 but...

[blippo1984]

shalmaneser said:

blippo1984 said:

How would my mileage vary? Do you mean the chain will cause additional wear?

I just mean it might be slightly different in your specific case, but generally it should be OK.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=YMM...

Well, I learn something new everyday! Thanks all!

[HardWorkers]

Gizmoish said:

Ultegra, mid-range?

I mean, it's not Di2 but...

Yes.

The OP is used to an MTB running XT kit, which sits in the middle of the three main types of Shimano MTB components.

Of the three main types of Shimano road components Ultegra sits in the middle between 105 and Dura-Ace.

[Comfortably Dumb]

HardWorkers said:

Yes.

The OP is used to an MTB running XT kit, which sits in the middle of the three main types of Shimano MTB components.

Of the three main types of Shimano road components Ultegra sits in the middle between 105 and Dura-Ace.

Only if you disregard 2300, sora and tiagra entirely!

I thought XTR was top mountain bike spec.

Depending on budget I'd say Tiagra or 105 should be fine for the OP.

[HardWorkers]

I do. (Well OK, I think Tiagra's great value for money but the OP wanted top-end).

It is.

I agree.