Running 22 Chainsets with 10 Speed Chain & Gearing - Road

[Andy JB]

I seem unable to get a definitive answer from retailers as to whether you can successfully run 11 speed (read 22) front chainsets with 10 speed chain and gearing. I know 11 speed is thinner gauge but using those chainrings with a slightly wider 10 speed chain should in theory work okay IMO. Perhaps later upgrading teh rest of teh group set to 11 speed when 10 speed wears out.

Does anyone run this way and have you had any shifting issues or BB compatiblity issues?

I was thinking of Sram Red or Ultegra 22 with DA/Ultegra 10 speed groupo.

[outnumbered]

I've used an "11 speed" campag chainset with a 10 speed chain and sprockets with no issues.

[47p2]

Will work fine

[upsidedownmark]

Inner width of the chain does not change between 10/11 speed (shimano). outer width goes down by .4mm (.2 off either side)
So, 10 and 11 speed sprockets and rings are interchangeable. An 11 speed crank seems to move the front rings a *tiny* bit closer together, but not to a degree that you're going to notice.

[IroningMan]

upsidedownmark said:

Inner width of the chain does not change between 10/11 speed (shimano). outer width goes down by .4mm (.2 off either side)
So, 10 and 11 speed sprockets and rings are interchangeable. An 11 speed crank seems to move the front rings a *tiny* bit closer together, but not to a degree that you're going to notice.

That's interesting - so I can build up a 10spd cassette using a mix of 10spd and 11spd sprockets provided I stick to using 10spd spacers?

[upsidedownmark]

Yup. spacing changes, but the sprockets do not.

[E91 Gaz]

I run sram red 22 with sram red 10 speed everything else. Works fantastically

[E91 Gaz]

I run sram red 22 with sram red 10 speed everything else. Works fantastically

[Andy JB]

Great stuff - thanks for replies it will save a big sum with 13 bikes until they all need replacing with 11 speed - i notice the marked lack of 10 speed stock across the retailers already forcing your arm to move to 11 speed, also a price premium for 10 speed availability over 11 speed!

I wonder if the newer 11 speed front mechs would be narrower & have trouble shifting 10 speed chains? undertsnading the sprocket spacing though

[upsidedownmark]

No availability issue, nor premium for 10speed that I've seen.. usual suspects, wiggle, CRC, ribble..

In a word, no. Yes, they might be a bit narrower. Maybe.. but .4mm? Look at it, do you think it makes any realistic difference?

AFAIK all the 11 speed rings I've seen are labelled 10/11. The only place you have compatibility issues at the front is mixing mechs with levers (I think the pull ratio is different, but haven't checked), keep them paired and all will be well.

[richardxjr]

My latest lashing-together is of 11sp chainset, 10sp road shifters & mtb cassette, and 9sp mtb mech

[Usget]

Andy JB said:

Great stuff - thanks for replies it will save a big sum with 13 bikes until they all need replacing with 11 speed - i notice the marked lack of 10 speed stock across the retailers already forcing your arm to move to 11 speed, also a price premium for 10 speed availability over 11 speed!

I wonder if the newer 11 speed front mechs would be narrower & have trouble shifting 10 speed chains? undertsnading the sprocket spacing though

You have 13 bikes?! Top effort!

[Andy JB]

Usget said:

You have 13 bikes?! Top effort!

Yes but unfortunately not all mine - both my kids ride for local bike clubs so I only enjoy 3 myself, but have to maintain the others incl mountain, cross, track, winter, race bikes, plus 2 for the missus so actually 15 in total The fact they insist on growing and needing new frames is a nuisance too.......

[anonymous-user]

Andy JB said:

Great stuff - thanks for replies it will save a big sum with 13 bikes until they all need replacing with 11 speed - i notice the marked lack of 10 speed stock across the retailers already forcing your arm to move to 11 speed, also a price premium for 10 speed availability over 11 speed!

I wonder if the newer 11 speed front mechs would be narrower & have trouble shifting 10 speed chains? undertsnading the sprocket spacing though

The other way round is a problem, at least on Campag. A 10s front mech won't shift an 11s chain. Not sure about what you're proposing though.

[upsidedownmark]

Sounds odd/unlikely, but I don't know, and would't put anything past campag. For shimano/sram, it's fine.

[anonymous-user]

I agree. But I spent close to two hours trying to index the front mech, getting it down to 1/16 of a screw rotation. Either the chain would jam or not shift. Asked on weightweenies and got the answer straight away: that's because you need to use an 11s FD. Did so and had it running in under 2 minutes. One of the more frustrating evenings I've had spannering...