New bike: 9 speed vs 10 speed
11-09-09, 01:45 PM
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New bike: 9 speed vs 10 speed
Hi all -
I'm in the market for a new or slightly used second bike, currently riding a 2003 Specialized (105 group, 9spd triple). I'm eyeing several 105 level 10 speeds but am a little leery of maintenance costs - for instance, I just slapped a $20 HG50/Tiagra cassette on the old bike, and see that the cheapest I can find in a 10 speed is $80-90.
So from what I've read, one school of thought says 9's are becoming obsolete hence go with a 10 since it's easier to find parts. The reality right now though is you can find parts for 9's relatively cheap and easy.
Bottom line - am I going to be locked into high-cost repairs on a 10 speed, or will Shimano be rolling out more cost-effective lines? I dread spending $100 for annual cassette changes (I ride a ton) and $200+ for the occasional brifter replacement.
I'm in the market for a new or slightly used second bike, currently riding a 2003 Specialized (105 group, 9spd triple). I'm eyeing several 105 level 10 speeds but am a little leery of maintenance costs - for instance, I just slapped a $20 HG50/Tiagra cassette on the old bike, and see that the cheapest I can find in a 10 speed is $80-90.
So from what I've read, one school of thought says 9's are becoming obsolete hence go with a 10 since it's easier to find parts. The reality right now though is you can find parts for 9's relatively cheap and easy.
Bottom line - am I going to be locked into high-cost repairs on a 10 speed, or will Shimano be rolling out more cost-effective lines? I dread spending $100 for annual cassette changes (I ride a ton) and $200+ for the occasional brifter replacement.
11-09-09, 01:53 PM
#2
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Stick with the 9's. You can switch parts on your two bikes if needed.
I buy parts ahead on time on sale. Buy some now.
I buy parts ahead on time on sale. Buy some now.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
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11-09-09, 01:55 PM
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Im selling some 9 speed parts if needed
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Cant we all just ride along???
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11-09-09, 01:58 PM
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Also eventually cheaper 10 speed cassettes will be coming out as the lower end shimano lines get 10 speed.... I think Tiagra is still 9 speed
it all trickles down
it all trickles down
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Cant we all just ride along???
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11-09-09, 01:59 PM
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There are a lot of new bikes still shipping with shimano 9 speed stuff (or there were last year). I think you'll be fine.
But buy 10 speed. Cause it's got more.
But buy 10 speed. Cause it's got more.
11-09-09, 02:12 PM
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I would go with 9 just because the cost of cassettes and chains. I love my rival group and really wish they had made 9 speed, replacing the cassette and chain makes my wallet cry.
11-09-09, 07:49 PM
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10 speed isn't all that.... people still win on 8 speeds
11-09-09, 08:10 PM
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I would go with 10 speed.. You can get KMC chains for under 40.00 for 10 speed that last longer and work perfectly fine..
11-09-09, 08:18 PM
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11-10-09, 03:19 AM
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10 speed chains also break...I've come across several guys on the side of the road asking to for a chain tool. stay with 9.
11-10-09, 08:37 AM
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Hi all -
I'm in the market for a new or slightly used second bike, currently riding a 2003 Specialized (105 group, 9spd triple). I'm eyeing several 105 level 10 speeds but am a little leery of maintenance costs - for instance, I just slapped a $20 HG50/Tiagra cassette on the old bike, and see that the cheapest I can find in a 10 speed is $80-90.
So from what I've read, one school of thought says 9's are becoming obsolete hence go with a 10 since it's easier to find parts. The reality right now though is you can find parts for 9's relatively cheap and easy.
Bottom line - am I going to be locked into high-cost repairs on a 10 speed, or will Shimano be rolling out more cost-effective lines? I dread spending $100 for annual cassette changes (I ride a ton) and $200+ for the occasional brifter replacement.
I'm in the market for a new or slightly used second bike, currently riding a 2003 Specialized (105 group, 9spd triple). I'm eyeing several 105 level 10 speeds but am a little leery of maintenance costs - for instance, I just slapped a $20 HG50/Tiagra cassette on the old bike, and see that the cheapest I can find in a 10 speed is $80-90.
So from what I've read, one school of thought says 9's are becoming obsolete hence go with a 10 since it's easier to find parts. The reality right now though is you can find parts for 9's relatively cheap and easy.
Bottom line - am I going to be locked into high-cost repairs on a 10 speed, or will Shimano be rolling out more cost-effective lines? I dread spending $100 for annual cassette changes (I ride a ton) and $200+ for the occasional brifter replacement.
...too far and the shifter won't go back. I broke one on a friend's bike just by trying to shift up to high gear on a work stand. I'm sure that I didn't move it any further than I would have other shifters.You are also very limited on cassette choice from Shimano...11-23, 12-25, 12-27, 11-25. IRD makes wider range ones with more selection but those go for around $150
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
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Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
11-10-09, 08:46 AM
#14
Lost
skip the 10-sp. we all know 11-sp is where its at. get with it.
11-10-09, 08:58 AM
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I have 9 spd shimano on 1 bike and 10 spd sram on another, both w/12-27 cassettes. If it wasn't for the different shifting actions i wouldn't know the difference. You can find inexpensive chains and cassettes for either. check ebay. you'll see 10 spd sram cassettes for a lot less than $80. At a certain level the price differences aren't that great. ultegra 6600 10 spd cassettes are about $10 more than 9 spd. And kmc x10sl chains are actually cheaper than x9sls. New on ebay anyway.
11-10-09, 09:01 AM
#16
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Getting 9 speed shifters will be tough in the near future. I'd stick with 10 speed, but do a better job of shopping for parts bargains (that won't be at your LBS).
A cheap price for a cassette does not mean the it will always cost less to own. Some people take the approach of using a cassette for the life of only one chain and then tossing both because they are cheap. That's OK, if you're smart enough to measure the chain wear properly (not with a Park chain checker) and really get the most from chain.
In contrast, I might buy a more expensive cassette and use 3-4 chains in a rotation that allows me to get the full life of all of the chains, use each chain longer and still only use one cassette. That approach can be cheaper in the long run. It all depends on the exact price of each chain and the cassette.
A cheap price for a cassette does not mean the it will always cost less to own. Some people take the approach of using a cassette for the life of only one chain and then tossing both because they are cheap. That's OK, if you're smart enough to measure the chain wear properly (not with a Park chain checker) and really get the most from chain.
In contrast, I might buy a more expensive cassette and use 3-4 chains in a rotation that allows me to get the full life of all of the chains, use each chain longer and still only use one cassette. That approach can be cheaper in the long run. It all depends on the exact price of each chain and the cassette.
11-10-09, 09:28 AM
#17
aka mattio
11-10-09, 09:42 AM
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Go 9 speed.
11-17-09, 01:38 AM
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The good thing is, I run a Dura Ace 11/21 cassette and 7701 chain with Ultegra 6600 on everything else, except the Ultegra 6510 9-speed shifters. Works perfectly...
11-17-09, 10:02 AM
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I think 9 speed Ultegra is about as bombproof as it gets. Everything seems to just last and last.
Some have reported getting only 500 miles on the 10 speed chains. I got 1600 on my 10 speed before replacement was needed and it was a Connex chain.
Add to the mix that a Shimano rep was quoted as saying the dumbest thing the company ever did was dumping 9 speed.
If a choice is there, go with 9 speed unless you have to have the newest stuff.
Some have reported getting only 500 miles on the 10 speed chains. I got 1600 on my 10 speed before replacement was needed and it was a Connex chain.
Add to the mix that a Shimano rep was quoted as saying the dumbest thing the company ever did was dumping 9 speed.
If a choice is there, go with 9 speed unless you have to have the newest stuff.
