changing 9 speed to 10 speed

starbuck

I have a 2010 carrera gryphon disc which currently has 9sp shifting (11-28 on rear, a double up front - not sure of ratios).
I'm getting some new wheels (with novatec 712sb rear hub) which will take 9 or 10 speed cassettes.

I need to change my cassette and chain as my current ones are worn. If I wanted to go to 10 speed, apart from the 10sp cassette, chain and rear mech (and changing the 9sp SRAM X-5 shifter), would I need to change the front mech, shifter and chainrings or could I just change the back?

Would I notice that much difference between 9 and 10 speed?

When looking for a 9 speed cassette which has the same ratios (11-28), I've only found the PG950 or HG80, but there are more 10 speed cassettes available and they tend to be cheaper as well.

Alternatively I could look at 12-27 cassettes, but as far as I know, I'd lose out on the hills with this compared to an 11-28, is that right?

Monty Dog

Whilst you need to change the chain, cassette and rear shifter, you can probably get away with your existing mechs and chainrings - or at least try it first.

Whether you need a 27 or a 28 sprocket depends on how easy you find hills and the terrain you're riding?

ugo.santalucia

It is expensive and not worth the hassle... 9 speed systems are more reliable and the chain is more robust

smidsy

ugo.santalucia wrote:

It is expensive and not worth the hassle... 9 speed systems are more reliable and the chain is more robust

This. Also the sti's are the dearest bit and without them it will not work.

9 speed is all you need.

bigmat

I upgraded my winter bike from 9-speed Campag to 10-speed - chain and cassette needed replacing anyway, only other thing I needed was new right hand shifter. Left mechs and chainrings as they were. Took a bit of fettling but works fine now. Reason I changed was because my best bike is 10-speed and its handy to be able to swap wheels / cassettes between the two. Otherwise, as people have said, 9-speed is good enough for most things (people say you need 10 or even 11 to race, but I never felt short changed racing with 9 gears).

ugo.santalucia

BigMat wrote:

I upgraded my winter bike from 9-speed Campag to 10-speed - chain and cassette needed replacing anyway, only other thing I needed was new right hand shifter. Left mechs and chainrings as they were. Took a bit of fettling but works fine now. Reason I changed was because my best bike is 10-speed and its handy to be able to swap wheels / cassettes between the two. Otherwise, as people have said, 9-speed is good enough for most things (people say you need 10 or even 11 to race, but I never felt short changed racing with 9 gears).

9 speed is not just good enough, it is better than 10 speed in every aspect... stronger chain, less adjustment needed to the cable tension, cheaper spares, no need for the stupid 1 mm spacer etc... the difference in a 9 and 10 speed 12-27 cassette is that the latter has a 16 teeth sprocket, while the 9 speed only has a 15 and a 17... now if someone tells me that a 16 sprocket is essential for racing and that can't be done on 15 or 17... well, sounds like a lot of bullxxxt, doesn't it?

smidsy

And don't just take our word for it - Graham Obree agrees :-)

me-109

I've done it and I'm glad I did. Nearly new 105 5700 shifters off eBay, Tiagra cassette and 105 5700 chain from Chain Reaction. SRAM cassette and Sora shifters sold back on eBay. 9sp chain kept for MTB (I have a couple of links I can add). Total cost about £85.

Cassette was straight swap, no spacer used. Rear mech limit screws pretty much spot on. Don't really need to bother with trimming the front mech. 26T 1st gear replaced with 25T. Generally happy with that and liking the ratios through the block. Lever action is much shorter throw. Tidied up the front end with under-tape cables and the thumb shift on the Sora was a nuisance - in the way when climbing on the hoods and not easily reached when on the drops.