So I’m building a new bike, and I kinda want to keep it a 9 speed, but it’s becoming annoying finding parts (or maybe I suck at looking).
Is it worth it to go to 10 speed? If so, should I go SRAM or Shimano?
This is for my tri bike
I just converted my 1989 Klein Quantum from a 7speed roadie to a tri. I originally went 9 speed because I was gonna use the original crankset and it would not work with 10 speed. As it turned out, I replaced the crankset anyways but I have no regrets going 9 speed because the shifters, cassette, derailleurs and chain are significantly cheaper for 9 speed than 10 and the difference in price was not worth the benefit of 2 extra gears imo. All the 9 speed parts you need are readily available online.
You can build it up with 10 speed shifters and derailleurs, and still run 9spd wheels (just adjust the set limit screw on the rear derailleur so you don’t shift into the spokes). I have an old 9spd STI that I use for commuting with an old 7spd cluster set up this way (it actually is a 7 speed ultegra derailleur, only the shifter is 9, and it works with both kinds of wheels).
with shimano, the 10 speed cassette is actually narrower than 9 speed (you need to add a 1mm spacer to run a 10s cassette on a 9s hub) - so set the limit screws wider to run 9.
I recently bought a pair of ultegra hubs. I’m guessing it’ll fit the ten
shouldn’t be a problem. either they’re 10s and fine out of the box, or they’re 9s and you need the spacer. i’ve had both setups, and i couldn’t tell any difference between the setups.
You can definitely mix and match 9 and 10 speed stuff with a TT group with little problem. I have run 10 speed chains on a 9 speed group for 5000 miles, and I think it actually works smoother. If you think that you will have a hard time finding 9 speed parts, all that you need for a 10 speed group is cassette, chain, and shifters. A matched FD would be better, but it isnt required. The RD has no difference at all.
Ok is there any major problems with that? Like 9 speed with a 10 speed RD and 10 speed shifters?
But if that were case I should just get a 10 speed cassette and keep it there.
Also I’m pretty set on shimano but I would love the SRAM bar end shifters. Is there any problems with combining the two?
Your shifters have to match the cassette, unless you run them in friction. The RD is irrelevant between 7700 and 7800. You can go up in chain but not down…can use 7800 chain w/ 7700 group but not 7700 chain w/ 7800 group. The SRAM is compatible w/ 7800 if you use SRAM shifters and RD. The SRAM cassettes have the same spacing at 7800, so they can be interchanged.