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11sp crank on a 9sp setup?

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11sp crank on a 9sp setup?

Old 06-21-22, 05:37 AM
  #1  
zacster
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11sp crank on a 9sp setup?

My daughter needed a bigger frame as she outgrew the 44cm frame I bought her as a teen. I bought a 48 C'dale frame and fork and I'm going to transfer the 9sp parts from the small frame, but of course the BB is different with the old bike having a threaded BB and Cannondale going with BB30. Most quality new cranks are 11sp, especially if you need to mate it with BB30. Will there be any issues using an 11sp with a 9sp chain and group? Are the chainrings any different? In the past I've used an old 6sp crank with 10sp and did have issues, but we are talking very old and likely worn out too. The chain would frequently just ride on top, and even when engaged there was a lot of noise.

If I had the parts already I'd just try it but I need to buy something. And even if such a thing as a BB30 to threaded BB existed to make it compatible I don't want to mess with that since I'm sure installation is a problem to get just right. I was looking at Praxis BB, either straight BB30 or BB30-Shimano. I'm still a bit confused by all the standards and don't understand how the frame manufacturers put in a shell that doesn't take Shimano directly. At least though they got away from loose bearings in adjustable cups. That was a PITA to get right,

So, simple question. Will it work?
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Old 06-21-22, 06:55 AM
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I've been running a 2x9 setup with a 10/11 speed crankset with no issues.
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Old 06-21-22, 07:05 AM
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Yes, it will work just fine.
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Old 06-21-22, 08:54 AM
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Cool. Do you use a 9, 10 or 11sp chain? I have a bunch of 10sp KMC chains. Does a 10sp chain engage well enough with 9sp rears? I tried a 10sp on a 6sp rear and it just didn't engage. This was just once on a wheel on that same bike above that had an old silk sew-up on it but it was unrideable.
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Old 06-21-22, 09:26 AM
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A ten speed chain, IME, works just fine on a 9 speed set up. Nine speed chain does not match up with 10 speed. Generally, the higher speed chain will work with the lower speed set up, but I do not know if that is true through the whole range of different speed groups. I have used 9 on 8, 10 on 9, and 11 on 10. The chains get narrower as the number of speed so up.
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Old 06-21-22, 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by zacster
Cool. Do you use a 9, 10 or 11sp chain? I have a bunch of 10sp KMC chains. Does a 10sp chain engage well enough with 9sp rears? I tried a 10sp on a 6sp rear and it just didn't engage. This was just once on a wheel on that same bike above that had an old silk sew-up on it but it was unrideable.
I run 9 speed chains.
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Old 06-21-22, 02:12 PM
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I pretty much figured the 10sp chain would be OK. I'll use that since I have one, I have three actually all brand new in box.
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