Upgrading from 9 speed to 10 speed

FergySteve

Hi all,

New to the forum (although been lurking for a while), and relatively new to cycling, so go easy with me!

I have had a quick search through the recent pages on this section and tried the search function, but surprisingly didn't find anything that definitively answered this, so apologies if this has been asked many times (which no doubt it has) - I've probably just been a doofus with the search bit...

I have a Boardman Race with the following setup:

Shifters: Shimano Sora ST-3400 9 sp/double (the annoying thumb shifter ones)
Chainset: FSA Vero 50/34T Compact
Chain: KMC Z99
Cassette: SRAM PG 950 9 sp
Front Mech: Shimano Sora FD-3400
Rear Mech: Shimano Sora RD-3400
Wheels: Mavic CXP22

So, if I replace the shifters, cassette and chain with a suitable 10sp set (e.g. 105) am I right in thinking that this is all I will need to do to upgrade to 10sp?

From what I understand (correct me if I'm wrong?) the shifters are what tells the rear mech how far to move, so the sora mech should still work? I wouldn't need to change the wheels/hubs etc?

the main reason I want to upgrade is that I dislike the thumb shifter on the sora levers. I realise I could get 2013 sora levers and leave everything else as is, but I feel like I might as well upgrade to 10sp, since my cassette and chain are getting worn now anyway.

My other question is, the spec on the Boardman website says my bottom bracket is an "FSA Cartridge." What does this mean? Can I replace the chainset down the line with a Shimano/SRAM one, or will it need to be FSA? It doesn't seem to be a type of BB that I have heard of (e.g. BB30 etc) :?

Sorry for rambling and thanks in advance for your help!

John.T

In answer to your first question. Yes, that is all you need. The mechs will work fine. Going 10sp now makes sense as the cost of the shifters is the biggest item.
Your FSA cartridge BB is probably a square taper one and will fit most square taper cranks (not too well with Campag ones though). If you go for a more modern crankset with external bearings you need to get the correct BB to fit it.

FergySteve

Thanks John, and do the other BBs just fit in the bike frame, or am I locked into a particular type unless I do something drastic to the frame?

ride_whenever

IIRC the fsa bottom bracket is an ISIS one. You'd see a bigger upgrade replacing the crankset than upgrading to 10 speed. If you do just buy a complete gruppo from ribble.

As for your last question, you can use any threaded bb/cranks.

smidsy

If you can get some new 9 speed levers I would say stick with it.

The 9 speed is basically fit and forget as it is thicker guage and lasts well.

10 speed (and 11 etc) are getting thinner and thinner and just wear so much quicker.

I have 9 speed Ultegra and 10 Speed Ultegra (different bikes) and the 9 speed just feels better and is easier to set up.

FergySteve

ride_whenever wrote:

You'd see a bigger upgrade replacing the crankset than upgrading to 10 speed.

Why is that? Sorry to sound ignorant, just not had a great deal to compare so far.

Main reason for going to 10 was just because the shifters I currently have are rubbish and since the chain and cassette need changing anyway, I thought it would be best to do it now, rather than get some different 9 sp shifters and end up wanting to upgrade again later.

Having looked at the teeth on my current chain set, I might just consider upgrading that too. Would the 105 be a significant upgrade on the FSA Vero?

smidsy wrote:

If you can get some new 9 speed levers I would say stick with it.

The 9 speed is basically fit and forget as it is thicker guage and lasts well.

10 speed (and 11 etc) are getting thinner and thinner and just wear so much quicker.

I have 9 speed Ultegra and 10 Speed Ultegra (different bikes) and the 9 speed just feels better and is easier to set up.

Cheers Smidsy, will give it some careful consideration before I decide.

John.T

Vero is square taper. Your frame almost certainly has an 'English' (as against Italian) BB shell so any of the newer external 'English' BBs will fit. Shimano HS2 etc.

You'd see a bigger upgrade replacing the crankset than upgrading to 10 speed.

Totally disagree. There is very little benefit changing the crankset unless it is either worn out or the wrong size.

10 speed (and 11 etc) are getting thinner and thinner and just wear so much quicker.

Not my experience. I have used 7,8,9 and now 10sp and all have been fine. The main difference in thickness is the chain and this is mostly that the pins do not stick out on 10sp like they do on 8 and 9sp. I have not noticed any extra wear on 10sp. As for the gear change I have 3 bikes on Ultegra 6600 and they work just as well as the older ones did. I can not speak for the later hidden cables sets.
FergieSteve. You know your budget and what you want to achieve. As I said earlier the minimum for 10sp is shifters, cassette and chain. 9 or 10sp is your choice but if the chain and cassette are getting worn then my choice would be go for 10sp. The extra gear is useful if chosen wisely. A full groupset would include several items you may not want / need so may not be a wise move.

FergySteve

So... a quick look on CRC - Something like the Ultegra BB Cups ( http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=11725 ) would be the 'external' ones you talked about, as opposed to something like this which I assume is similar to what I currently have? ( http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=71369 )

So if I am understanding this correctly, on a square taper BB like I have at the moment, the cranks would effectively be two arms (one with the chain rings on) which attach directly to the BB and with an external BB like the ultegra, there would be a connecting shaft between the chainring side and the other crank, effectively directly joining the cranks together, and the BB just looks like a bearing at each side of the frame with what looks like a hollow joining tube which does nothing more than protect the insides from the elements? Does this make ANY sense whatsoever?!

What I was trying (badly) to get to, is, is there any difference between the two systems (particularly in terms of performance etc)?

John.T

You have it right. As for differences between the two the external ones are usually a bit stiffer and lighter especially as you move to the dearer ones. Not sure if you would notice the difference between your current set and 105.
The external bearings have a reputation of not lasting as well as a similar spec cartridge type. They are cheap enough though. I use Tiagra ones on my winter bike which seem fine.

FergySteve

Ok and one last question - i notice there are loads of different, but pretty much identical looking shimano HTII BBs. (ultegra 6600 and ultegra 6700 for example) Are they all the same, or rather compatible with the same cranksets?

John.T

All are much the same. Maybe better seals and bearings on the top ones. Not sure about 6700 but I have used 6600 and Tiagra on the same cranks.

FergySteve

Thanks for all the advice John, it's much appreciated.

Having a quick look around on various internet sites, a lot of places mention getting the BB shell on the frame faced if going from cartridge types to external BBs. Is there a way to check if this needs to be done on my particular frame, or is it just a case of going to the LBS and getting them to have a look?

John.T

It can not be checked visually. The only way is to get a shop to face it. Frames are better than they used to be for this though. Personally I would not bother unless the first BB wore out fast. Just make sure the paint is even on the faces with no blobs.

FergySteve

Ok, and if I install the new BB and it isn't even, will I get all kinds of clunks and whatnot?

John.T

No. If it is out the bearings will not be evenly loaded so could wear faster. If when fitting the bearings they butt up evenly and nip up with about a half turn they will not be far out. If when they first make contact with the frame there are gaps in places then it probably needs facing. I have not had my PX or Ribble faced with no problem. If in doubt get it done to be safe.

FergySteve

Ok mate, thanks a lot.