Originally Posted by
rhenning
I don't think the 9 speed chain will fit on your crank chain rings as it is narrower than the old 7 speed chain was.
Wrong. Chains have changed but teeth haven't.
The old chain rings won't have the shifting aids that modern rings do, but that won't keep them from shifting. Use the Sugino and prefer friction shifters.
You will need a long cage RD. 10-speed should work, though you have to be more specific as some use different pull ratios (and others work backwards).
will 10sp shifters work with 9sp cassette/RD?
No.
if i use a triple crank, i need a triple compatible FD, correct?
Not necessarily, but it would help shifting.
does it also have to correlate to the size of the cassette?
No.
is there a ... triple FD with a 31.8 clamp?
Lots. And you can get a clamp adapter for a braze-on FD. Don't let the bundled FD swing the deal; FDs are cheap and plentiful.