A few compatability questions on Shimano components

[donaldv]

This seems to be a fairly regular question on here, but none of the threads I've found seem to answer my question, so here's another one! Sorry to clog up the boards.

I've had a Triban 3 for a while, and I'm looking to upgrade afew of the compnents. Various reasons - I'd like a lower gear for going up really tough hills, I'd like to improve the gear changes, I'd like to go 'all-Shimano', and afew of my components at the moment are looking abit worse for wear. The ChainReactionCycles sale has provided abit of impetus, too!

Here's what I'm planning to add.

Shimano 105 Octalink Triple 9sp Chainset (5505)
Shimano 105 Front Derailleur 9sp Triple (5504)
Shimano Tiagra 9sp Road Cassette (HG50)
Shimano Sora 9sp Rear Mech (3500)
Shimano 9 speed chain.

(c.£100)

1. First of all, I'm going from 8 speed to 9 speed (mainly as all the 9 speed components are cheap at the moment!) Will this cause any problems? I'm not changing the shifters or the hubs, will these need to be 9 speed too?

2.As you can see, I'm mixing components from afew groupsets (105, tiagra etc). Will these all be compatible with each other? My shifters are Shimano 2300.

3. I'm planning to fit these myself, as my LBS are abit snooty about internet shoppers. Will I need any special tools for all this? I usually have some luck following internet video guides so will hopefully be OK!

Thanks for your help. Posted here before and got some great advice!

 

[Iain M Norman]

If one thing DOES need to be 9 speed it's the shifters and the cassette.

All that stuff will work well together fine. The new 3500 is basically 5500 of old for a start.

Also if you don't currently have an octalink bottom bracket you need to add one of those in.

I've got that exact 105 triple crankset in the shed doing nothing. What's it worth to you?

Or you could get a full set of 3500 Sora new for £200.

 

[accountantpete]

As Iain says 9spd casssette = 9 speed shifters.

Ribble are doing a triple groupset for £220 which is good value and includes Hollowtech BB and paddles for changing gear so you will look the part too!

A decent pair of 9 spd shifters on eBay will set you back £50-60 and they can break (especially the left) so buying a new set for an extra £30 or so (with warranty) makes sense.

The only tools you will need are cassette remover (should do old and new) and a BB tool (you may need one for the old BB and a different one for the new) together with assorted hex keys.

Otherwise you can upgrade the bits on the 8 speed apart from the cassette as you suggest - which is going to be the cheapest option. Just make sure you have the triple 2300 left lever as I think they did a double only option for that model as well.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

You will also need a crank extractor, chain tool and a chain whip.

I think this toolkit includes every special tool you need for this exercise and indeed most special tools necessary for bike maintenance for a decent price (e.g. less than how much you have to pay to buy even just the ones you need now). Not workshop quality obviously, but should be fine with occasional fettling and the only key omission is a suitable cable cutter for inevitable cable/housing replacement now or in the future.

Together with a 17mm cone spanner (if you are into hub fettling), a 25mm long M8x1mm threaded bolt (to use with Shimano cartridge BB tool), a C spanner (for traditional BBs), a large adjustable spanner and to make it easy a bicycle work stand plus various relatively easy/inexpensive improvisations should let you do probably 95% of the jobs you are ever likely to need to do.