Bicycle Mechanics - 10 Speed Campy Crank & 9 Speed Shimano everything else

Sorry for putting up yet another 'will my x-speed whatever work with my x-speed whatever else...'

But...

Can I put a 10-speed Campy Veloce crankset (with appropriate BB) on an otherwise 9-speed Shimano setup (105 FD, 105 chain, Tiagra STI levers)?

Will the chainring spacing be off? Will the chainrings be too narrow?

Sorry for yet another annoying fill-up-space post like this...

Ive used 9 speed chainsets on 8 speed setups before so I guess it should be fine

what makes a crank a 9 or 10 speed?

(serious question)

what makes a crank a 9 or 10 speed?



nottin'


but the original question was, actually, related to a crankset, not the crank alone:



Can I put a 10-speed Campy Veloce crankset (with appropriate BB) on an otherwise 9-speed Shimano setup (105 FD, 105 chain, Tiagra STI levers)?

Will the chainring spacing be off? Will the chainrings be too narrow?


The question is pertinent, since a 10-speed chain is narrower than a 9-speed one, mostly because of the 10-speed cassette having narrower spacing - you've gotta fit 10 sprockets in the space intended for 9.

To be honest, I am not sure what would happen if a 9-speed chain was used with a crankset intended for a 10-speed group. I have never owned 10-speed anything, and I never will, because I believe it's a stupid move by the bike industry, to milk more money from people. But I am aware this doesn't answer the original question, and I apologize.

nottin'


but the original question was, actually, related to a crankset, not the crank alone:



The question is pertinent, since a 10-speed chain is narrower than a 9-speed one, mostly because of the 10-speed cassette having narrower spacing - you've gotta fit 10 sprockets in the space intended for 9.


So if I got a 10 speed crankset and put 9 speed chain rings (assuming its the same BCD here) sell the 10 speed chain rings. I would be right to go?

This is just theoretical I'm not planning on doing this.

So if I got a 10 speed crankset and put 9 speed chain rings (assuming its the same BCD here) sell the 10 speed chain rings. I would be right to go?

This is just theoretical I'm not planning on doing this.

I think you don't need to replace the chainrings: they may be thinner than necessary, but that shouldn't cause any problems.

For the record, I am transforming all my bikes into SS or FG. I had enough of cassettes and multiple chainrings, and derailers.

I've done what the OP asks - The 10-speed cranks work fine with 9 or 8 speed chains (I've never tried 7 or fewer rears, but they should be OK too). Although the 10-speed chainrings are slightly narrower, there is not enough difference to matter. In fact, I've used chainrings from 8 & 9 speed equipment with 10-speed chains and rear cassettes. If you keep the chains clean, there is no chain suck and the rings work fine.

As to the Campy/Shimano question on cranks, provided you're using a Campy double or triple crank and bottom bracket combo, the chainline should be identical to using a Shimano double or triple, respectively.

The only issue is the spacing between the chainrings. I assume they will be less than ideal, but well within the tolerance required for decent shifting.

You've got nothing to worry about. Although I think I have some 9 speed campy chainrings I'd swap for 10's. Don't remember exactly what kind of shape they're in but do know they have miles left. PM me if you care.

The only issue is the spacing between the chainrings. I assume they will be less than ideal, but well within the tolerance required for decent shifting.

I have reasons to believe that 10-sp chainrings are spaced out exactly as any other kind of chainring. The reason is: at the chainrings, there is plenty of space (it is at the cassette that the spacing is a problem), so why use special spacing that would only cause problems with requiring a special shifter (2 or 3 sp).

Of course, I do think bike components manufacturers COULD be evil enough and change the chainring spacing just because they can, and force people to buy new shifters, too.. but I doubt.

You guys need a crash course on Campy cranks. Here goes, Campy 7, 8 and 9 sp cranks are identical. They have the same thickness chainrings with the same spacing. Campy 10 sp cranks use the same spider as previous models. They also have the same chainring thickness. The big chainring is scalloped on Campy which decreases the spacing between the chainrings.

In theory Campy 10 sp won't work well with the wider 8 and 9 sp chains. In pracatice they work pretty well. If you want the best performance possible on a Campy 8 or 9 sp bike with a 10 sp crank, use the Wheels MFG spacers. Just unbolt the big chainring and pop in the spacers.Now you have a 10 sp crank using the wider 7, 8 and 9 sp spacing.

There is a possibility that using Shimano 9 sp with a Campy 10 sp crank will give less than satisfactory performance. Shimano STI uses indexed front shifting. By changing the chainring spacing the indexing won't be spot on. This isn't a problem on Campy because they us friction front shifting. All I can say is give it a try. Good luck and Nashbar has 105 cranks on sale, hint hint. :D

Tim

what makes a crank a 9 or 10 speed?

(serious question)

There's no such thing as a 9 or 10 sp only crank. What you have are cranks that are optimized for a certain width chain. Read my post above. Campy spaces the chainrings closer on it's 10 sp cranks. Actually, they use the same spider on all their cranks. Only the big chainring is different. Hope this helps.

Tim

There's no such thing as a 9 or 10 sp only crank.

Well yes there is... Some cranks are marketed as '10 speed' and some as '9' - the question is whether or not they're sufficiently cross-compatible.

You guys need a crash course on Campy cranks. Here goes, Campy 7, 8 and 9 sp cranks are identical. They have the same thickness chainrings with the same spacing. Campy 10 sp cranks use the same spider as previous models. They also have the same chainring thickness. The big chainring is scalloped on Campy which decreases the spacing between the chainrings.

You sir, get the prize for the thread.

Interestingly, it would seem that my current RX-100 crank would be lighter than the 10-speed Veloce I've seen on sale.

(RX-100 weight found here (http://www.damonrinard.com/weights.htm))

(And yes, everyone has been pointing out the 9-speed 105 cranks at Nashbar - but wrong side of the ocean. It's Ribble for me.)

Can I put a 10-speed Campy Veloce crankset (with appropriate BB) on an otherwise 9-speed Shimano setup (105 FD, 105 chain, Tiagra STI levers)?
Yes, as far as the chain goes. The teeth might be a little narrower, but the spacing between them is the same for all bikes - 1/2".

Where you might run into problems is in 1) the chainline, and 2) the chainring spacing. Cranksets have different offsets from the axle. Assuming that you change the BB with the crankset, you should be okay, but check. Chainring spacing (the distance between the rings) must coincide with the shifter indexing. I believe there is a standard, but it's something else to check.

There's no such thing as a 9 or 10 sp only crank. What you have are cranks that are optimized for a certain width chain. Read my post above. Campy spaces the chainrings closer on it's 10 sp cranks. Actually, they use the same spider on all their cranks. Only the big chainring is different. Hope this helps.

Tim


Thanks. I really like this mechanics sub forum