Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Converting to compact crankset; mixing 9 and 11 speed

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Converting to compact crankset; mixing 9 and 11 speed

Old 05-02-21, 12:15 PM
  #1  
pennpaul
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 368

Bikes: Diamondback Haanjo Trail, Fuji Team Road

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times in 46 Posts
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
pennpaul is offline  
Old 05-02-21, 07:00 PM
  #2  
ft3safety
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Northern California, USA
Posts: 30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
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.
ft3safety is offline  
Old 05-03-21, 09:23 AM
  #3  
Chuckles1
Full Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Foothills of West Central Maine
Posts: 410

Bikes: 2007 Motobecane Fantom Cross Expert, 2020 Motobecane Omni Strada Pro Disc (700c gravel bike), 2021 Motobecane Elite Adventure with Bafang 500W rear hub drive

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 143 Times in 94 Posts
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.
Chuckles1 is offline  
Likes For Chuckles1:
Old 05-03-21, 10:04 PM
  #4  
pennpaul
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 368

Bikes: Diamondback Haanjo Trail, Fuji Team Road

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times in 46 Posts
Originally Posted by Chuckles1
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.
Thanks! Piecing this combination together on eBay was easier (and cheaper) than what I originally planned. I'll find out in 2 weeks, I guess.
pennpaul is offline  
Old 03-20-22, 01:36 PM
  #5  
pennpaul
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 368

Bikes: Diamondback Haanjo Trail, Fuji Team Road

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times in 46 Posts
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?
pennpaul is offline  
Old 04-18-22, 07:01 PM
  #6  
pennpaul
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 368

Bikes: Diamondback Haanjo Trail, Fuji Team Road

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times in 46 Posts
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!
pennpaul is offline  
Old 04-21-22, 08:24 AM
  #7  
zacster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Brooklyn NY
Posts: 7,702

Bikes: Kuota Kredo/Chorus, Trek 7000 commuter, Trek 8000 MTB and a few others

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Liked 456 Times in 358 Posts
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.
zacster is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.