Originally Posted by
Fast505
OK, so it sounds like 10 speed chainrings alone will not alter the shifting characteristics because the spacing is established by the cranks. I hear people talking about the chain "floating" over the small ring when downshifting the FD. Having to get a 10 speed crank to complete the 10s drivetrain is too much.
i would verify what shimano changed.
when campagnolo moved to 10spd they milled the mounting tabs of the outside ring. this moves the outer ring closer to improve shifting performance. it also allows you to "update" old cranks. i have a c-record crank running a 10spd ring and the c-c distance is identical to my 10spd chorus cranks.
i found the shifting performance
much better with the 10spd ring. with the 8spd ring i had issues shifting to the large ring under load and it would occasionally over shift going to the small ring. with the 10spd ring the front shifting has been perfect.
with 9spd rings it should not be as bad, but if you are only a ring away, look into it.