Mountain Biking - 9-10 speed

Does anybody use a 9 or 10 speed bike? If you do, do you acutally use all those gears? I have always used 7-speed and never needed any more. Actually, I wish I could build a 2-3 cassette with the cogs I use most. The problem would be shifters.

Ive got two bikes; one 9-speed and one 8-speed, but i like the gear ratios of the 8-speed much more.
The only thing i like about nine speed, is that i use the smallest chainwheel less than with the 8-speed bike, but at the end i see no advantage
BTW, nice topic to discus, i hope to see more replys,

regards,

I have a true 8 speed(1 chainring and 8 cogs) and I dont miss having more gears.

My XC bike is a 9-spd (27 spd), and my play bike (Specialized P.3) is a true 8 speed as well. I really don't see the purpose of any more than 15 speeds for recreational riding. I guess if you're a racer, than additional ratios would be necessary, but for 90% of the people who ride they're useless. I've been thinking of removing the large chainring on my XC and using a bash guard instead. I'd remove the granny gear, but I would occasionally use it in a race situation.

Spic-Mic, what are you using as a chainguide? I'm just using an old front derailleur right now without the shifter and the stops screwed all the way in. It seems to be working most of the time and only on big drops have a problem with the chain dropping. I've been looking at Mr.Dirt and Black Spire chainguides, they both seem to work well and everyone I've spoken with who has them, like em. I've not really heard anything bad of either one, so it'd be a cost factor.
L8R G8R

Originally posted by fubar5
Actually, I wish I could build a 2-3 cassette with the cogs I use most. The problem would be shifters. The new issue of Dirt Rag has an article on a custom 4 speed drive train. The solution is to use friction thumb shifters. I rescued an old Specialized that I will either rebuild as a 1 speed or 3 speed town bike. If I go w/ the 3 speed, it will be w/ a customized cassette and a thumb shifter.

I read that article as well, good stuff! This reminded me of something I saw on OLN during the coverage of one of the earlier NORBA Nationals. They had a "tips" commentary and interviewed a DH mechanic. He said he uses a 4-speed cassette, but I couldn't figure out what was done. When they panned down to show the cassette, it looked like it had 7 or 8 cogs. Did anyone else see this and/or do you know what they did?:confused:

Originally posted by a2psyklnut


Spic-Mic, what are you using as a chainguide? I'm just using an old front derailleur right now without the shifter and the stops screwed all the way in. It seems to be working most of the time and only on big drops have a problem with the chain dropping. I've been looking at Mr.Dirt and Black Spire chainguides, they both seem to work well and everyone I've spoken with who has them, like em. I've not really heard anything bad of either one, so it'd be a cost factor.
L8R G8R


I use a BlackSpire NS-1 with a 32t ring. I like it alot. It took some trail and error, and some home modification, to get it to work on the Stinky. I had to file out one of the mounting holes and use a chainring bolt and some washers, to get it spaced right. But now the chain stays on nomatter what I do to the bike. You should check out Go-ride.com (http://www.goride.com) they have the blackspire and the mr dirt for $109.00. As for as a bashgaurd, I have a slightly used BlackSpire ringgod that I will sell to you for $25 shipped. Its for a 32t ring and 104bcd.

RiderX,
Could you copy that article and send it to me? I'll pay if you want(I think).

Hey spic-mick, what is it that you use to protect your tubing where the chain hits it? (I'm a newbie so I dunno what that part is called)
-Thanks

An old tube wrapped around the "chainstay" secured with black tape. High tech secrets are being thrown around like confetti. I hope there arent any shady types milling about, trying to pick up any secrets. Sorry for the feable attempt at humor it is late.

Originally posted by fubar5
RiderX,
Could you copy that article and send it to me? I'll pay if you want(I think).
I'll do better. The story is online, here's the link:
http://www.dirtragmag.com/articles/page.php?ID=179

If you still want a hard copy, drop me a line with your address at riderx@singlespeedoutlaw.com and I'll make you a copy.

I'll take the online version. I didn't even look to see if they would post it online....:(

I'm very slow with new technology, and am still getting used to having 24 gears...!

I too don't really see the benefits of 9 speed or 10 speed, even in XC situations.

In fact, what are the benefits of 9 speed...could somebody pleath edukate me?"?"? :rolleyes:

Rich

Originally posted by Rich
In fact, what are the benefits of 9 speed...could somebody pleath edukate me?"?"? :rolleyes:
The benefits are Shimano gets to sell you an entire new drivetrain (shifters, chainrings, cassette, chain, derailluers) when you need to replace the above parts (except chain and chainrings). Nice of them to do that huh?

yeah...bless. :irritated

Rich

That article in DirtRag about the 4 speed drivetrain was awesome. I wish I was like that dude.