Dumb Shimano compatability question
#1
Prodigal road guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Eugene. Oregon
Posts: 416
Bikes: '72 Bob Jackson; '82 Austro-Daimler Starleicht; '85 Scapin; '80 Peugeot PKN-10; '81 Trek 610; '87 Hunter Corsa; '72 Italvega and '75 Motobecane Grand Jubillee frames built into freewheel singlespeeds.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Dumb Shimano compatability question
My 1987 road bike has the dreaded BioPace chain rings; not knowing any better because I've been on a mountain bike for the last 15 years, they seem fine to me. But I'd like to try convention chain rings, so that I can A/B them with the BioPace.
Here's the question: what brands and models of chain ring can I use with my Shimano 105 cranks? Between the progression from 6-speed freewheels (which is what mine has, with indexed 105 shifters front and back) to 7- and 8-, and now 9- and 10-speed; Shimano's change from Uniglide to Hyperglide; different chain widths; and the possible incompatabilities between 105, 600/Ultegra, and Dura Ace ..... I'm really, really, confused.
Thanks.
Here's the question: what brands and models of chain ring can I use with my Shimano 105 cranks? Between the progression from 6-speed freewheels (which is what mine has, with indexed 105 shifters front and back) to 7- and 8-, and now 9- and 10-speed; Shimano's change from Uniglide to Hyperglide; different chain widths; and the possible incompatabilities between 105, 600/Ultegra, and Dura Ace ..... I'm really, really, confused.
Thanks.
#2
Ha Ha! Boss.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: pdx, or
Posts: 879
Bikes: Univega custom 14sp mixte + Sears 3sp groceryhoggg
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
wow... you're asking a lot.
and you're due for quite a response.
maybe you could find something on sheldonbrown.com.
wow. i understand why you're confused, tho. just make like me: don't bother with it and just do it.
wtf?
and you're due for quite a response.
maybe you could find something on sheldonbrown.com.
wow. i understand why you're confused, tho. just make like me: don't bother with it and just do it.
wtf?
#3
Senior Member
Hey, MY 1987 road bike has BioPace rings, too! (Post soon, pending retrieval of photos!) I also have that same 105 group.
I've only done a few miles on this bike so far, but I'm pretty happy with the rings. They feel fine to me. Why bother swapping them out? But if you must, here's the deal: don't worry about it. Just match up the BCD, and you're good to go. For 105, it should be 130mm, but it might be 110. I don't know what BCD sizes BioPace came in. So make sure you know what it is. Other than that, don't worry about it. You can use whatever brand of chainring you want. The only possible issue is that 10-speed chain may wedge itself in-between the two rings, but I don't think that this is terribly likely. I'm using old cranks and chainrings from the 6-speed era with 8-speed equipment, with not even a hint of trouble. Obviously, not the same as 9 or 10-speed on the same rings, but from what I hear, problems are pretty few and far between.
I've only done a few miles on this bike so far, but I'm pretty happy with the rings. They feel fine to me. Why bother swapping them out? But if you must, here's the deal: don't worry about it. Just match up the BCD, and you're good to go. For 105, it should be 130mm, but it might be 110. I don't know what BCD sizes BioPace came in. So make sure you know what it is. Other than that, don't worry about it. You can use whatever brand of chainring you want. The only possible issue is that 10-speed chain may wedge itself in-between the two rings, but I don't think that this is terribly likely. I'm using old cranks and chainrings from the 6-speed era with 8-speed equipment, with not even a hint of trouble. Obviously, not the same as 9 or 10-speed on the same rings, but from what I hear, problems are pretty few and far between.
#4
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,800
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,329 Times
in
837 Posts
The primary concern is bolt circle diameter, which is probably either modern Shimano road standard (130mm) or old school mountain (110mm). Both are very easy to find.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#5
Pedalpower
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 369
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think that in '87 Shimano still had the Uniglide freehub bodies around. Finding a replacement cassette for the old system is very, very difficult so IMO prior to a chainring overhaul, I'd go for a 7sp freehub replacement since 7sp casettes are easy to get. Or if you want to keep the original 6sp shifters, by using a spacer, you can use only 6 cogs from the newer cassettes. Of course, this will convey a redishing of the wheel and a respacing of the axle.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Yukon, Canada
Posts: 8,759
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
14 Posts
Your question is confusuing and you need to break down into a serious of numbered questions for which a definate answer will be. As most have said just swaping out the rings with any other kind as long as the BCD is the same will be fine. Of course you do not want to buy new expensive shimano 10-speed rings, there is no point. By some other aftermarket brand. 10 speed and even 9 speed rings are thinner and will wear quicker. If you are running a 9-10 speed set up you will want 9/10 specific rings. You may also be able to get more help with a question like this in the mechanics forum.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear