spinnor

Helped my brother-inlaw put in a transmission and in return he gave me a really nice bike he no longer used. The problem is no low gears (I'm older, not in optimal shape, and some of the hills around here are short and steep). The lowest gear is 39 front and 25 rear. On my old bike the lowest gear I have is a 32 front and 28 rear and there are days when I need that gear. The new bike currently has an older Shimano Ultegra group. From Shimano tech documents it looks like I have the following parts,

https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830611831.pdf

https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830611835.pdf

https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830611841.pdf

These documents are from,

https://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs...&bmUID=kdKT0cR

I don't have a lot of money to spend on this bike so to that end I would just like to make the following changes to the rear,

buy a new rear derailleur, Shimano Deore M591 SGS Rear Derailleur Silver, Long, 9 SPD,

https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-Deo...ear-Derailleur

buy a new cassette, Shimano Nexave HG-50 Megarange Cassette Silver, 9Speed, MT 11-34 Cassette Cogs

https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-Nex...range-Cassette

Will this likely work and if so how well?

Thank you for any help!

Edit, sorry for spelling Shimano wrong in the title!

fietsbob

A triple crankset will offer the ability to use a 30t third chainring ..
the difference between the 53t and the 30t
would make a longer cage RD beneficial to take up the extra chain slack.

as I suppose the Octalink BB is used , the triple crank would need to be of that sort,
the right crankarm is different to move the other 2 outboard , while retaining the short Spindle.

or you need to replace the BB to the current new Shimano engineers design.

& yea, going to the 34t low cog in back also needs a MTB type RD..

cycle_maven

Sounds like you have it under control. That's exactly what I would do- get a Deore 591 derailleur and a 11-34 cassette. You'll need a new chain, too, since yours isn't long enough for the big cassette. I'd recommend a 9-speed KMC chain with the quick-link so it's easy to remove. The chain should be 1 link pair longer than the shortest that will go around both large sprockets.

Treat yourself to a new pair of inner wires for the gears and brakes, too, while you're at it. Makes everything work more smoothly.

gregjones

I didn't download the links. Would there be problems with Ultegra road shifters and a MTB RD???

HillRider

No, not as long as you use a 9-speed or older MTB rear derailleur.

Al1943

If your big ring is a 52 or 53 a 12-32 or 12-34 cassette would be better than an 11-34.

dsbrantjr

"Treat yourself to a new pair of inner wires for the gears and brakes, too, while you're at it. Makes everything work more smoothly."

The housings wear too. For even better shifting/braking replace the wires and housings with die-drawn stainless wires and lined housings. Make certain that the housing ends are properly prepared and that the appropriate ferrules are installed.

spinnor

The big ring is a 53. The Shimano cassette that came with the bike has gear rings 12,13,14,15,17,19,21,23,25. Could I likely swap the 12 of the old Shimano for the 11 of the Shimano Nexave HG-50 Megarange Cassette, 11,13,15,17,20,23,26,30,34?

Thanks for everyone's help!

spinnor

The bike fortunately for me did not get too much use, all the bearings feel silky smooth with what feels like the right amount of drag. I was going to get a new chain but thought I would play it safe, worrying about compatability, getting a Shimano chain,

https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-HG-73-9SP-Chain

Jenson has some 9 speed KMC chains here,

https://www.jensonusa.com/Bicycle-Cha...DW9&c=C0000CFC

Do you see one above that is good value?

Thanks for your help!

Edit, when you buy a chain can you assume it will be long enough if the product description doesn't tell you how many links there are?

Al1943

Yes, since they are both 9-speed Shimano. If you use the 11 you must also use the special 11 lockring. If you use the 12 use the standard lockring.

gregjones

Yes, but not from Jenson. Search Amazon KMC 9 speed chain then look at a 9.93 from Trail This. I've had several of them and they have worked fine for me. Trial This sells them for 14.95 with free shipping.

FastJake

Yes. And I would do it too because an 11T is going to be completely useless to you. Heck, if you could find a 14-34 cassette do that. Good luck finding one though...

+1 You'll need a new, longer chain. And any 9-speed chain you buy should have enough links.

+1 Spend the $15 or whatever to replace all the cables and housings. I've been getting Jagwire kits on ebay, often they are shipped from China. They include everything you need and most importantly you get to choose what color housing you want. If you go this route make sure you get a complete kit! Many kits do not include shifter cables for reasons I don't understand.

woodcraft

You can probably get an ultegra long cage RD on ebay for not much, that will handle a bigger cassette.

HillRider

No, it probably won't. Older Ultegra rear derailleurs were rated for a 27T largest cog and the current RD-6700 is rated for a 28T largest cog no matter what the cage length. To use a 34T large cog requires one of the MTB rear derailleurs.

ThermionicScott 

If it doesn't have to be blingy, you can still buy compact (50/34) cranks that will work with that Octalink bottom bracket. It may give you the lower gears you need without swapping shifters or rear derailleur.

cycle_maven

I'd recommend against the Shimano chain. They have little break-off one-use pins that need to be used each time the chain is installed. They include 3 with each chain. You shouldn't break the chain at the same link that you used to join it- so you have to keep track of where the one-use pin is located. All in all, a PITA.

I like to take my chain off the bike to clean it, so the KMC with the little quick-link is much better, IMO. It shifts just as well- no problems for me on 5 different bikes.

I like the idea of replacing the 11 tooth cog with the 12 tooth cog. The 53/11 combo can't be effectively used by mere mortals.

Wilfred Laurier

i buy a sram quick link when i buy a shimano chain
the best of both worlds

spinnor

Thanks for all the help! Did order new brake pads, a KMC chain, and a six pack of quick links. Did stop by Ebay and was tempted by several triple crank sets but ended up just with mods to the rear to keep costs down.

Enjoyable and safe riding this 2014 to all!

Al1943

+1
There is still a lot of confusion about derailleur capacity and cog size limitation. Derailleur cage length is all about chain wrap.

dbg

How low do you want to go? I'm in the middle of converting a similar vintage shimano ultegra octalink triple into a sub compact double. I'm replacing the big ring with a chain guard and swapping the small ring down to 26. That gives me a 42-26 front crank and a 11-28 rear. (This is partly motivated by the fact that I have a very nice spare 2x10 Dura Ace brifter and brake set, but I also do light touring and never really needed those higher gears.)

Edit: Never mind. I see the updates are defined.

woodcraft

Oh,
The LBS suggested otherwise when I had to replace my ultegra RD recently, but perhaps I misunderstood.

Wilfred Laurier

or perhaps they were mistaken
it is a very common misconception

and
although the max cog size is listed as 27 or 28
it is quite possible it will work just fine on a 30 or 32 in some configurations

edit
actually
the new shimano long cage ultegra
according to the shimano website
can handle a 32
but the short cage can only handle a 28

live and learn

HillRider

Is that the 11-speed RD-6800 series? The RD-6700/6703 tech doc still says 28T max for both cage lengths. Even so, a 34 is going to be pushing it.

alex jb

I can vouch for the 6600 ultegra RD handling a 30t top gear.
Mine is a GS (med cage) but the cage length is more for dealing with total range chain tension and has little effect on max cassette size.
had a 29t top workig great with a short cage too.

Good call on your choice though 39/34 = 1.14, your old bike 32/28 is 1.14 too so you got the same range.
did you manage to dump the 11t? I mashed up a cassette from single gears and a 11-27 to make a 13-29 and got a 16t in the middle to make a much nicer range, like you, to suit a 53/39 crank.

Wilfred Laurier

6800 cable actuated
not di2