Downgrading from a 9 speed
08-24-18 | 06:31 PM
#1
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Downgrading from a 9 speed
my 9 speed bike just had its chain break.
I blame the 9 speed chain.
I suppose it should be trivial to downgrade to an 8 speed. Just get the chain and cassette right?
Or or even lower? 7 speed?
I blame the 9 speed chain.
I suppose it should be trivial to downgrade to an 8 speed. Just get the chain and cassette right?
Or or even lower? 7 speed?
08-24-18 | 06:43 PM
#3
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
There is nothing inherently weaker about a 9-speed chain compared to an 7/8-speed chain. For that matter 10 and 11-speed chains are more than strong enough. for any rider who doesn't abuse them and no chain will tolerate serious misuse.
How did your chain break? Was it joined improperly? Did you reuse a standard pin? Did you make an abusive shift? You could just have easily broken an 8-speed chain.
How did your chain break? Was it joined improperly? Did you reuse a standard pin? Did you make an abusive shift? You could just have easily broken an 8-speed chain.
08-24-18 | 06:49 PM
#4
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Bikes: 2017 Specialized Allez Sprint Comp
Not sure if this is troll... But this is only a concern if you're consistently putting out over 2000 watts during sprints. If this is the case, then there's little that can be done to save your chains other than to be more gentle with how you accelerate, to spin faster rather than mash harder or to switch to a single speed. Obviously, save your hardest mashing for gears where the chain is straightest.
08-24-18 | 07:02 PM
#6
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Not sure if this is troll... But this is only a concern if you're consistently putting out over 2000 watts during sprints. If this is the case, then there's little that can be done to save your chains other than to be more gentle with how you accelerate, to spin faster rather than mash harder or to switch to a single speed. Obviously, save your hardest mashing for gears where the chain is straightest.
You won't break any chain by sheer strength. If the OP broke a chain it was for some other reason.
08-24-18 | 07:05 PM
#7
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From: Mission Viejo
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
As others have mentioned, a 9 speed chain shouldn't break any more than an 8 or 7. Typically poor shifting techniques are the cause.
A rider will find himself/herself in the wrong gear and while pedaling hard and under pressure forces the chain onto an easier gear. With all the ramps and shifting aids the chain will shift under stress. If this is repeated eventually the chain will pull apart. Sometimes a side plate will pull away from a pin and catch in the derailleur and rip it off either whole or in pieces. This makes for a less than enjoyable ride/coast/walk home.
Learn to shift properly and you won't break another chain... unless you leave the bike out in the rain to rust.
John
A rider will find himself/herself in the wrong gear and while pedaling hard and under pressure forces the chain onto an easier gear. With all the ramps and shifting aids the chain will shift under stress. If this is repeated eventually the chain will pull apart. Sometimes a side plate will pull away from a pin and catch in the derailleur and rip it off either whole or in pieces. This makes for a less than enjoyable ride/coast/walk home.
Learn to shift properly and you won't break another chain... unless you leave the bike out in the rain to rust.
John
08-25-18 | 10:00 AM
#8
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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a testifying about rider abuse, and poor technique is unstated..
the When do you shift, question .. applying force, when still climbing, (?)
so a taught chain, lateral force can do that..
Is, An internal gear hub rear wheel being considered?...
...
the When do you shift, question .. applying force, when still climbing, (?)
so a taught chain, lateral force can do that..
Is, An internal gear hub rear wheel being considered?...
...
