Subject: Re: Crankset vs Cassette Posted by: Al on August 08, 2006 at 07:07:44: In Reply to: Re: Crankset vs Cassette posted by Chris on August 07, 2006 at 10:15:09:

Message: >>>I own a 2001 Trek 4500 mountain bike. I have been making minor upgrades to better my ride, and just for the fun of it. I'm in the process of making a major change with my crankset. Most cranksets indicate they work with 9 speed cassettes. I have an 8 speed cassette and am not planning on making the upgrade to a 9 speed for a while. Will the 8 speed cassette cause problems with a new crankset? >>You should experience NO PROBLEMS using a crankset with 9-speed chainrings with your 8-speed drivetrain. > >Thanks. >Why then is this mentioned with so many cranksets? >-Chris MY OBSERVATION, and others may choose to disagree, the significant difference is in the chainrings ... An 8-speed chainring has a slightly raised band on its inside face ... Generally, a 9-speed chainring is ramped-and-pinned -- the ramps-and-pins facilitate shifting the chain from a smaller chainring onto the larger one next to it. And, a 10-speed chainring has thicker ramps-and-pins than a 9-speed chainring because the chain is narrower, but the plane of the respective chainring's teeth appears to remain a constant to one another. You CAN use 8-speed chainrings with a 9-speed chain + EITHER a 9-speed Shimano (okay) OR Campagnolo (better) shifter ... but, the shifting will be slightly better if the chainring matches the chain. The shifting might get too dodgy if you try to use an 8-speed chainring with a 10-speed chain, but maybe not. You should be able to use a 9-speed chainring with a 10-speed drivetrani, but the shiftig may be fractionally slower. You should be able to use EITHER a 9-speed OR a 10-speed ring with an 8-speed drivetrain; and similarly, a 10-speed chainring with a 9-speed drivetrain. MY OBSERVATION is that the chain should match the front derailleur (or, vice-versa) when using a Shimano drivetrain for efficient shifting ... and, the chain MUST match the front derailleur with a Shimano triple. There ARE some exceptions ...