Operating a 10sp cassette with 9sp levers?

AlanW

Let me try and explain what I am trying to do first.

My training bike is all Shimano 105 9sp equipped, while my best bike and Audax bike are both Shimano Ultegra 10sp equipped bikes. I have a pair of Open Pro CD wheels that I fit on either the training bike or on the Audax bike, but each time I make the change, naturally I have to swap cassettes over as well.

So I was wondering, could I leave the 10sp cassette on the Open Pro CD wheels and then fit them to my training bike? Of course I would have to fit a 10sp chain and of course I know that I will only be able to select 9 of the 10 gears, but would it work?

Now I normally run a 12/23 cassette in the 10 sp, but in 9sp guise, the 12t sprocket would just act as a spacer, giving me a usable 9sp 13/23.

I would also keep the 9sp rear mech, so unless the "click" movement on the 9sp levers is different to that of the 10sp levers then surely it would function ok?

Would also need to fiddle about with the L & H screws I suspect, but once they are set, thats it.

Any suggestions, other than converting the whole bike to a 10sp, which is not going to happen, as its to costly to even consider just for a hack bike!

Pirahna

So what happened to the 9 speed wheel for the training bike?

AlanW

Pirahna wrote:

So what happened to the 9 speed wheel for the training bike?

As a rule I normally run the Open Pro CD wheels on the training bike, which will take either the 9sp or 10sp cassettes.

But if I do a Audax and if I know that it is going to cover rough ground or its likely to be pissing down, then I will not use the Mavic ES wheels with the Pro II tyres which is its normal configuration.

I'll then put the Open Pro CD wheels in that have Conti 4 season tyres fitted, leaving the training bike suspended in the garage on the workstand minus any wheels.

Sounds complicated doesn't it!... :oops:

Its just a ball ache changing cassettes over thats all! Life would be so much easier just whipping wheels in and out, willy nilly.

Pirahna

Sheldon Brown says no.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html

Either buy a new 9 speed wheel or a 10 speed shifter. The good news is that your 9 speed mech will work on 10 speed.

AlanW

Pirahna wrote:

Sheldon Brown says no.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html

Either buy a new 9 speed wheel or a 10 speed shifter. The good news is that your 9 speed mech will work on 10 speed.

Excellant link many thanks for taking the time to find it.

As per usual, I have done things arse about face and have a set of 10sp wheels on order....doh!!!

Now wheres my cassette removal tool?