Going from 9 speed to 11- component compatibility
 

Hi

Road bike question.
I got a set of new wheels that can take 9/10/11 speed shimano cassettes. All components on my bike are 9 speed now. Can i change my bike to 11 speed by only installing cassette, chain, derailleur and shifters? Will the narrower chain still be able to fit over the chainrings? And will the front derailleur work with the narrower chain? I know I can probably keep the 9 speed derailleur and make it work with the 11 speed cassette but all 9 speed components coming off the bike go on a steel racer so that's why I need another one.


Thanks.

Bart

No you can't. Assuming Shimano components, they changed the rear derailleur geometry and cable pull requirements going from 8/9/10-speed to 11-speed. So along with the new cassette, chain and shifters you will need a new rear derailleur too. The 11-speed chain will work with your 9-speed crank.

Thanks Hillrider

I'm indeed referring to Shimano components. And the front derailleur? Will that work? For what it's worth, its a tiagra 4500.

greets

Bart

That I'm not sure about. I don't know if Shimano changed the geometry of their 11-speed front derailleurs or not. I vaguely recall they have but someone with more definitive info can comment. As a general rule each "speed" increase has resulted in a redesigned front derailleur so it's likely you will need a specific 11-speed one.

Not only that, because the chain keeps getting more narrow the front derailleur cage is also similarly adjusted. You may find that you get slow or no shifting in one direction depending on how you adjust the derailleur. I had this happen trying to use a 7 speed FD with a 9 speed FD (combo wouldn't downshift at all) and a 9 speed FD with a 10 speed chain (slow downshifts).

Going from 9 speed Tiagra to 11 speed anything will require at a minimum a new chain and cassette, shifters and both front and rear derailleurs. In addition, because of the reduced mechanical advantage of the brake levers, your brakes will require greater effort unless you also change the brake callipers. Both front and rear 11 speed derailleurs require a different cable pull than your current ones

You could keep your current 9sp rings, front derailleur and shifter.

As long as you are prepared to live with a front shifter that looks very different than the rear shifter, different shape,different cable routing. You would still probably have to buy a pair of shifters, so very little saving seeing as the front derailleur is one of the cheapest of all the parts needed for the upgrade