Road Cycling - chain rings

hey guys

just want to know if I buy a Shimano HG 10spd cassette, will it be compatiable with a standard size chain ring given that HG chains are skinnier? If a HG chain is too skinny for a standard chain ring, can I use a standard chain on a HG cassette? Anyone know of any problems with doing this?

if you have a 10sp cassette, shouldn't you also already have 10sp chain, rings, cranks and STI levers?

I haven't got anything yet. A friend of mine is lending me their spare bike and all it needs is a set of wheels. Just bought a pair of Shimano WH-R550's but I'm yet to buy a cassette and chain. The bike has index shifters and if I can use a 10spd cassette on a regular chain ring I will.

I'm not sure what, exactly, you have now and what, exactly, you are asking.

As I understand it, 8, 9, and 10 speed cassettes use the same freehub body, but just cram more cogs into the same amount of space. Consequently, they each will have to have their own, exact chain and own indexed shifters or they aren't going to work at all.

I've not had chainring problems when upgrading an 8-speed bike to 9-speed. I've never tried 10-speed so I can't say for sure about that. I have found it necessary to replace the front derailleur when upgrading an 8-speed triple to 9-speed.

You will have to buy a cassette and chain for the # of cogs the rear shifter is set up for. A 10sp chain will be too narrow to seat correctly on 8 or 9 sp chainrings and cassettes.

I'm not certain on this, but I believe that the inner diameter of the chain is the same for 10-speed as well as 9-speed. I think thats what the guy at my LBS said.

however, he also said that the durability of the 10-speed chain is not so good. he went so far as to say that the design needs work, wearing out after 1500 miles. do with this information what you will. those were his words, not mine.

I'd get a 9-speed cassette if you can. its the current standard, you can get parts just about everywhere and the chain is more durable. and there you have it.

if you have a 10sp cassette, shouldn't you also already have 10sp chain, rings, cranks and STI levers?Ya don't have to have 10 speed rings.

A 10sp chain will be too narrow to seat correctly on 8 or 9 sp chainrings ........ A 10 speed chain works perfectly on 8 and 9 speed rings.Rings don't have speeds. The inside width of all derailer chains is 3/32". It's the outside width that differs due to differences in cog spacing with the different speed casettes.

hey guys

just want to know if I buy a Shimano HG 10spd cassette, will it be compatiable with a standard size chain ring............... Yes. You'll need a 10 speed chain to go with the casette.