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Drivetrain questions...

My chain is old and worn as is my rear cassette. My derailleur is SRAM 7.0 9 speed. My bike is a BikeE RX and I need 3 lengths of chain to build the 2 chains on the bike. Here are my questions:

Are SRAM and Shimano interchangeable? Do I need to stay with all SRAM?

There are various price levels of 9 speed chain - if I don't care too much about weight, does it matter which one I buy? I don't want junk that will wear out fast, but if I can exchange weight for savings I will. With so much chain, should I care more about weight?

When I replace the chains and cassette, should I also change the cogs on the derailleur? The bike is about 7 or 8 years old and seems to have a lot of miles. Should I just replace the derailleur? I have new wheels with Hone hubs - should I/can I use a Hone derailleur?

Thanks for any tips on how best to do this job.

Mike.

Others hear will disagree with me but I truely believe you'll achieve optimal shifting if you match your rear cassette brand with the chain.

Shimano/Shimano
Sram/Sram

Buy a chain thats one level down from the top. you'll save some money but while getting a long service life chain.

My philosophy with chains and cassettes holds true for shifters and derailleurs. For optimal shifting quality do not mix and match brands. Some will tell tell it can be done and I know it has but your opening yourself up to potential problems.

Jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerdz

Either chain will work for you, but I highly recommend Sram chains, for either Sram or Shimano systems. I like the PC-951 for 9-speed applications. I've got 3 of 'em on my Greenspeed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerdz

There are various price levels of 9 speed chain - if I don't care too much about weight, does it matter which one I buy? I don't want junk that will wear out fast, but if I can exchange weight for savings I will. With so much chain, should I care more about weight?

There's really not that much difference in weight between one chain and another,a nd the BikeE is no lighweight anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerdz

When I replace the chains and cassette, should I also change the cogs on the derailleur?

Derailers don't have "cogs" they have pulleys. Is the first time you have replaced the chain? If so, it is very unlikely that the derailer pulleys are so badly worn as to call for replacement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerdz

The bike is about 7 or 8 years old and seems to have a lot of miles. Should I just replace the derailleur? I have new wheels with Hone hubs - should I/can I use a Hone derailleur?

Your Sram ESP shifters are not compatible with Shimano derailers. If the derailer hasn't been bashed and bent, it's very unlikely that it needs replacement.

Sheldon http://sheldonbrown.com/chains Brown

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Thanks, y'all for the sound advice.