Converting to compact crankset; mixing 9 and 11 speed
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Converting to compact crankset; mixing 9 and 11 speed
I wanted to modify my 2003 Fuji road bike (53/39, 12-23) for my current style of riding--slow with more lower gears. I was going to swap in a spare gravel bike crankset and get a larger rear cog, but then remembered my Fuji is a 9-speed.
The price of components is crazy so I'll find an 11-28 9-speed cassette in the back (max for my Ultegra RD-6500 SS), but then realized my spare crankset might not work since it's coming from an 11-speed bike, or will it?
I measured the distance of the outside faces of the two chainrings and the one from the 11-speed is about 9.5mm whereas the rings on my Fuji are 10.5 to 11mm apart. Will my current Ultegra STI front shifter work on this 11-speed crankset simply by adjusting the high/low screw on the front derailleur? Would I need a narrower chain, too?
Thanks,
Paul
The price of components is crazy so I'll find an 11-28 9-speed cassette in the back (max for my Ultegra RD-6500 SS), but then realized my spare crankset might not work since it's coming from an 11-speed bike, or will it?
I measured the distance of the outside faces of the two chainrings and the one from the 11-speed is about 9.5mm whereas the rings on my Fuji are 10.5 to 11mm apart. Will my current Ultegra STI front shifter work on this 11-speed crankset simply by adjusting the high/low screw on the front derailleur? Would I need a narrower chain, too?
Thanks,
Paul
#2
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Your 11s crankset should work with an 11s chain. You can also use a Shimano mountain bike rear derailleur 9s with a 12-36 cassette.
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9 speeds rule...
11-36 cassette with a new GS or SGS derailleur. A Sora GS and 11-36 cassette transformed my 9 speed road bike into a good hill climber, and it shifts beautifully. An Alivio RD would also work well, I believe.
You could keep the chainrings as they are; 39F - 36R is a decent hill climbing combo.
You could keep the chainrings as they are; 39F - 36R is a decent hill climbing combo.
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11-36 cassette with a new GS or SGS derailleur. A Sora GS and 11-36 cassette transformed my 9 speed road bike into a good hill climber, and it shifts beautifully. An Alivio RD would also work well, I believe.
You could keep the chainrings as they are; 39F - 36R is a decent hill climbing combo.
You could keep the chainrings as they are; 39F - 36R is a decent hill climbing combo.
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I've been riding this bike with an 11-36 and longer cage rear derailleur for almost a year now. Works well enough, but it would be better with a mid-compact 52/36.
There are plenty of 10/11 speed cranksets. There aren't spacers between the rings that would make them 9/10 and I can keep using my 9/10 speed chain? Or just get the 11 speed chain?
There are plenty of 10/11 speed cranksets. There aren't spacers between the rings that would make them 9/10 and I can keep using my 9/10 speed chain? Or just get the 11 speed chain?
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I bought 52 and 36 rings for my spare crank and swapped in the new BB and crank yesterday. Did my first ride with it on my trainer tonight. The new, black crankset isn't as stylish as the old, chrome one, but the feel is night and day.
The first thing I noticed when I installed the new crank was that when I installed just the drive side through the new BB, gravity easily brought the crank arm to the bottom whereas the old BB wasn't as smooth. I was a bit surprised that the old crank and BB weighed in a few grams lighter than this new setup.
Happily this 11 speed crank works with my existing chain (I think 10 speed), and I didn't need to make any adjustments to the shifting at all.
I can't believe I waited so long to do this!
The first thing I noticed when I installed the new crank was that when I installed just the drive side through the new BB, gravity easily brought the crank arm to the bottom whereas the old BB wasn't as smooth. I was a bit surprised that the old crank and BB weighed in a few grams lighter than this new setup.
Happily this 11 speed crank works with my existing chain (I think 10 speed), and I didn't need to make any adjustments to the shifting at all.
I can't believe I waited so long to do this!
#7
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You can get away with using different front components from the different eras as they aren't nearly as critically spaced as the rear. I tried using an old 6 speed front with a 10sp setup though and that was too much as the chain wouldn't mesh in properly and when it did it was noisy. Whatever works will work. That said, if you are building that dream road bike with high end components, stick to the group. You don't want to kluge that one up.