What's the difference between 7,8 and 9 speed chainsets?

Noodoo

as subject really...
I'm talking about the gears that are attached to your cranks. (in case I have the name wrong!)


is it the tooth spacing, angle of the teeth? thickness of the material?

Is there even a difference?

supersonic

As 9 speed chainsets work fine with 8spd chains, they are often specced as standard on 8spd 300 quid bikes - its cheaper to manufacture everything the same and buy in bulk. However there are true 8spd chainrings which are thicker, and have a slightly wider spacing. 9 spd chains cannot be used on them. Truvative state their chainringsa are 8 and 9 spd compatible. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.

Noodoo

So, what if I had a 7 speed chain and rear cassettes and I bought a Shimano Deore XT Hollowtech crank set.

Would that explain why the chain was a bit slack on the cogs?


I can't find any info about the Deore thing being 9 speed only or anything, but i have a niggling suspiscion.....

supersonic

Shimano states it is 9 spd, and the only way things work properly together is to use everything thats designed to be same. However in practice there is often a bit of leeway - and some bike manufacturers do mix and match. 7spd chains are exactly the same as 8spd chains, and many riders report no probelms of using 8spd chains on Shimano 9spd rings - do a google for more comments. There may be slight problems setting up the front mech, this usually manifests its self as a little bit of rub in certain combos. 9spd chains work fine on 7 and 8spd cassettes too but you cannot use an 8spd chain on a 9spd cassette!

Noodoo

OK, thanks for that!


so i gather that there is no difference in the distance between chain rollers, just the width of the chain?

I did have bit of an issue with the front mech fouling very slightly at first, but a bit of slight repositioning found everything working nicely.

The thing is that everything works fine, apart from the chain being a bit slack on the cogs. this lead me to believe that i should have bought a different size set of rings and that the spacing between the rollers may be different for different size chain rings... I know that's daft, but it's the only thing I could think of.

OK, thanks.

nicklouse

all chains are 1/2" pitch.