Why are 10 speed cranksets so much cheaper than 9 speed?

ambo999fire

OK so it's a pretty general title but I am specifically referring to SRAM and Truvative GXP cranksets. The 10 speed ones are all over the place and are around the £50 mark whereas the 9 speed ones are harder to find and usually over £100. Seems pretty daft to me or am I missing something?

rockmonkeysc

10 speed will work with 9 speed and the other way around.

ambo999fire

But will 10 work with 8? I have been told it might but will wear out quickly and have been advised to go for 9 or 8 by my local bike shop. I can't find any I want that 8, only 9 and 10 but 10 is considerably cheaper than 9!

rockmonkeysc

Shouldn't make any difference. The internal width of 8, 9 & 10 speed chains are the same.
My spare Deore chainring even has the boxes for 8, 9 & 10 speed all ticked.

bennett_346

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Shouldn't make any difference. The internal width of 8, 9 & 10 speed chains are the same.
My spare Deore chainring even has the boxes for 8, 9 & 10 speed all ticked.

The external widths differ which does affect shifting.

ambo999fire

So what about 8 speed cassette, 9 speed chain, 10 speed crankset? Would that work? Or get the 10 speed crankset (with free BB), then when the chainrings wear out, replace them with 8/9 speed rings?

cooldad

What RMSC said. It will work fine.
I've got virtually the same thing on one bike, an 8 speed cassette and chain with a 10 speed crankset (was originally 9 but got some nice 10 speed XT rings for free).

supersonic

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... lsrc=aw.ds