Originally Posted by
operator
I'm willing to bet it would shift better with a 10 speed crankset and rings.
I've got exactly that on another bike, a Campy 10-speed Chorus crank and rings used with a matching 10-speed chain. The 9-speed Shimano crank with the 10-speed chain shifts every bit as well. I ride these two bike alternately and the front shifting quality is indistinguishable.