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7 speed vs 8 speed vs 9 speed

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:15 pm
by mikesbytes
The beast needs a new chain, I guess that one from Kmart isn't really up to it for a rider like me.

Current configuration
53 chain ring - near new 105
39 chain ring - long in the tooth
7 speed cluster on 9 speed shimano spline wheel, on its second chain
Friction shifters, not indexed.

Chain is slipping on the 53 chain ring, not slipping on the 39 or the cluster.

Options
1. Purchase new 7 speed chain + 39 chain ring. Risk being that 7 speed cluster may slip and need replacing. Advantage is that if I get around to fixing my 7 speed wheel, I can continue to use it.

2. As 1 + 8 speed cluster. No mucking around with potential hassles related to different wear rates in components. Spare 7 speed (broken) wheel goes on council collection.

3. Purchase 39 chain ring and use new 9 speed SRAM chain and 9 speed Tigra cluster that I have sitting in a box at home.

4. As 3, except I take my used 9 speed chain and Ultegra cluster off the OCR and put it on the beast, putting the new stuff on the OCR. OCR has near new 53 and 42 chain rings.

Ratios on Tigra and Ultegra clusters are identical.

Question: How does 9 speed go with non indexed friction shifters? is it too sensitive?

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:49 pm
by RoryW
I run a nine speed chain (Sram PC69) on to a sachs 7 speed (12-21) screw on cluster. Up front I have a 46 / 36/ 26 triple with I think shimano rings. Campag 8 speed ergo shifters. It all works pretty smoothly as far as I can tell.

Typically clusters wear faster than chainrings. Typically a worn cluster doesn't like a new chain.

so normally a new chain means a new cluster anyway. I'd put the new stuff on the 'best' bike and hand down the matched cluster and chain.

Slipping on a 53 chainring sounds fairly extreme.

RoryW

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:37 pm
by rustguard
RoryW wrote: Slipping on a 53 chainring sounds fairly extreme.

RoryW
yeah i agree with that, I think if you are happy with 7sp, you can pick up tons of cheap stuff and old stock if you look out, 8 sp seems cheaper than 9 etc. If cash is not an issue go with whatever.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:50 pm
by mikesbytes
Yes, but is 9 speed ok with friction shifters?

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:09 am
by Mulger bill
I'd guess it would be OK Mike, how much potential movement is there in the shifters at the ends of a 7x cluster?

You're talking the beast, yes? if so, I'd go option 4.
Keep the OCR topline, late for work aint as bad as a mid race mechanical :wink:

Shaun

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:42 am
by mikesbytes
There's plenty of range in the shifter so that won't be a problem.

I'm leaning towards option 4.