New drive train and gears - homework reality check
 

Hi, I'm about to order this stuff from the UK (I'm in sweden), and would greatly appreciate a "reality check" that I haven't chosen incompatable components or anything else "strange". I was initially a bit confused about some Shimano options which I have highlighted Bold. Thank you so much! :)

• Dura Ace 7700 9 Speed Bar End Lever Set
• Dura Ace Gear Cable Set
• Deore LX Triple Chainset with Chain Guard, 170mm, 48/36/26 (BB included)
• Deore LX Front Derailleur, Conventional Swing
• Deore LX Rear Derailleur M580, SGS Long Cage
• Deore LX 9 Speed Cassette HG50, 11-28
• Deore LX Chain CN-HG73

I'll be mounting this on my Miyata 100 sport touring frame from 1984 (the frame is the only original part, even the fork is from a Miyata 1000). I have Mavic A719/XT wheelsets, so this will be the last upgrade before moving everything over to a custom touring frame (Mercian or Bob Jackson) a bit further down the road :)

The SGS Long Cage rear derailleur looks like the correct choice given the chain rings and cassette you've chosen.

Are you sure the Deore LX FD will work with DuraAce bar-end levers? If the front-shifting is friction-based, you're probably fine. If the front shifter is indexed, you may have compatibility problems using a MTB FD with road levers. At least, I've read this can be a problem when trying to use STI levers with MTB FDs. Don't know about bar-end shifters...

FWIW, I detest Shimano chains. Having to deal with loose connecting pins is a pain. I like SRAM and KMC chains, with their snap-together master links, much better.

Thank you sstorkel! I will definitely check if the LX FD can be used in index mode if no-one else chimes in... Having never used any other chains than Shimano (and never having big problems either) I didn't do too much "chain homework"... time for change? SRAM seem popular on BF, and a masterlink makes sense.

Your reply has been most helpful :)

I've never had any issues at all with a SRAM chain and Shimano components.

Yepp seems to be problem here... bar-cons don't pull enough cable for indexed shifting with mtb FDs.

Solutions: (?)

1. Friction FD shifting
2. Road FD (issues with derailleur arc?)
3. Road Crankset (105, 50/39/30) (no chainguard... less sturdy than LX?), and Road FD

4. Anything else?

Strange I got the definite impression that bar-cons... and mtb components were kindof standard BF setups.... so something's got to work right? (wrong?)

Thanks for any advice! :)

I could be wrong, but - I thought that the Dura Ace bar con shifters are *always* friction mode for the front derailleur (at least the ones I owned were).

The FD is always in friction mode; the RD can be switched to and from index mode.

That's one thing that makes bar cons so nice - they work with a pretty wide range of gear.

In any case I think plenty of people use the Shimano Tiagra with the Shimano bar cons and they work fine. I used a Shimano 105 with my Trek 520 plus a Deore LX crank like yours and it was great.

Index shifting for front is different from MTB to road. However, the bar-end shifter is friction-only for the front; so it doesn't really matter what FD you use. The bar-end shifter for the rear can do friction or index, and the shifter and RD combo mentioned should be fine with friction or index; it's your choice. If you're only going to use the 11-28, you could use a shimano road RD, but I'd go with the mountain in case you want to change to a wider range cassette in the future.

i run DA 9 speed barcons with LX front derailleur and experience no problems. likely thousands others have similar experiences.

no issues.

the OP may experience clamp diameter issues trying to mount an LX on an old steel frame but the shims included may cover it; if not an additional shim will do the trick.

Thanks guys! This puts me back on track with my original setup... phew!... Silly question maybe, but is the longer cable pull necessary for mtb FDs "noticeable" in the lever, or is it just a slight difference which would affect indexing but not in any meaningful way affect how far you have to pull the lever... hope this makes sense :/

Ah, thanks Bekologist, I'll check this out! :)

edit: The LX FD has shims down to 28.6mm STs... I can't measure my frame until monday, but this is as thin as they get isn't it?

Looks like the Tiagra 9 speed FD could be the solution... Surly LHT has them with a 48/36/26 crankset :D


Lotsa questions I know but you guys are magic! :)

imi, my only question is whether you actually need a 48/11 gear? A 44 chainring would give you a useful range of high gears.

have you considered a 11-32/34/36 cassette? I'm happy to have my 32t sprocket on steep hills. You are using a long cage RD already so why not get that easier gear?

your steel frame is almost certainly 28.6 or larger so your current shims will be fine.

LeeG and Enthusiast: AH THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! I have calculated my current gear inches wrongly!!! My current set up is 50/40 11-23... I will recalculate, I will be accurate and conscientious, I will try not to make simple mathematical errors!!! ;)

How did I manage before without all you wonderful people? :beer: the beer's on me if you're ever in my neighbourhood! :D

imi, someday I hope to take you up on the offer. In the mean time my nephew is living in Sweden and he will have to drink my share.

I run almost the same setup on my LHT. Differences are Tiagra FD and 11-34 cassette. This combo works great and gives me all the top and bottom end I will ever be able to use on a loaded bike. Good luck and many happy trips!

Right then! I've done some serious gear calculating and excel work!

Looks like 44/32/22, 11-28, covers all of my needs (and then some). Plenty of useful gears on the middle ring, 44/11 gives me the same high gear I had on 52/13 (108 gear inches), and then all those funny low gears that I've never needed before, hihi, but there again I ain't getting younger either ;)

48/36/26 11-32 ain't bad either... think I'll sleep on this :)

My first trip from sweden to spain in 1986 was on a 5 gear Monark, since then I've had 12 and 14 gears on my Miyata, so this upgrade is exciting to say the least! :D

Thanks everyone!

I love dealing with the UK, particularly for stuff they actually make. On stuff that is imported into both economies, the US is normally the samish number as the UK, though certainly the postage can be the difference. Have you looked up US sites to see what the price comparison is?

No, I haven't, as importing stuff from outside the EU gets whacked with huge import and (infamous swedish) taxes :(

Cheers :)

I love dealing with the UK, particularly for stuff they actually make. On stuff that is imported into both economies, the US is normally the samish number as the UK, though certainly the postage can be the difference. Have you looked up US sites to see what the price comparison is?

I have dealt happily with Gene Spicer of Spicer cycles, and Rivendell, Just doing my first deal with speedgoat, and they were excellent, though I haven't been back to the shop to actually see what has been delivered. Gene will really work with you to find the best postage etc... (I'm in Canada, so I have some of the same supply issues).