Someone near me has a used 2012 TCR Alliance for cheap money. Thinking of getting that to put on the trainer. Can you still get cassettes and cogs for this? Cassette looks to be 9 speed 12-25, front rings I think are 53/39.

9 speed wear items are still generally available like cassette, chains, pulleys and such. What has changed is that as the upper end component specs have moved to more cogs (10, 11,12 and now 13 cog cassettes) the profit motive to continue to make the old spec stuff in those higher end levels is far less now. So don't be surprised if you don't find the selection that was made in 2012.

But this should be easy to find out by calling your LBS or spending a little bit of time on line searching through internet sellers.

When I was working at a Giant (and Specialized) shop back then we sold few TCRs and a lot of OCRs. Seems that the really tight clearances, lack of low gearing and the very quick handling was more than most of our customers decided they wanted after some test rides. This bike you are looking at likely won't fit tires much wider than 25mm and would likely need significant cost to lower the gearing much beyond a 39/27 combo. I would suggest you strongly think about the future riding you'll be doing and this bike's limitations. Having said that for a race focused bike the TCRs were fine bikes and great values. Andy

2012... I don't think the Alliance was offered by then? Also, I think most TCRs went 10 speed by the mid 2000s, so there's a good chance this bike actually has 10sp components. Either way, parts like cassettes, chains, can be found easily. Maybe not original Shimano spec but aftermarket, for sure. My experience with the TCRs of that era was that some 28mm tires, on the narrow rims of the time, fit the frame just fine.

Thanks for the replies.

I have an image of the rear cassette and there are only 9 speeds. Maybe the bike is older than he is representing.

Could I use any 9 speed Shimano cassette? in the 11-25 range? (or 11-28)?

This is for a trainer, so all I need is a reasonable drive train and shifting (and fit). The 23 tires and wheels, or the twitchy handling, are not at all important.

yes you should be able to use any 9 Speed Shimano cassette, non Dura Ace.

/markp

The rear der will have a part number on the cage's back side. Looking up the specs for that part will tell you what its largest cog capacity is. Ultegra has had 27 and 28tooth large cog limits for decades depending on the version. Fitting a too large rear cog can result in pulley knock and not being able to shift off the large cog.

But for a trainer stand bike this is moot. I still suggest looking at future uses and not limiting this bike to never being on the road.Andy

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36411812038...3ABFBMvPLs-_Nh

etc.

And.. that model/year was a TEN SPEED group...according to multiple sources.... they have been ten speed cassette since at least 2009.

+1^^^ Ultegra went to 10 speed in 2005 with the 6600 and then 6700 in 2010. Might want to do some more investigation with that bike you're thinking of buying.

I'm going to pass on the bike It was one size down anyway. But this is a pic of the cassette. Am I missing it? I only count 9 rings.

I also count 9 cogs but the RD looks like a 6600 which was 10sp.🤷‍♂️

cassettes and wheels are quick to change out. Maybe the price is low out of guilt?

A friend just handed me a TCR Composite 1 "Compact Road" 9 speed, with the same components shown above. She said it's too twitchy for her, a novice rider. The RD is a 9500, max cog 28. 39-28 is too high for the terrain I ride in with my senior strength.

I just decided I'm not going to go through the time and expense of updating the drive train, trying to find a long-cage 9-speed Ultegra and compact double crankset (it has an Octalink V1 BB). I'm going donate it to the non-profit I volunteer at. If we can't move it we'll part it out.

You can use a 9 speed "mountain" RDER no problem. Things don't get confusing until 10 speed.