Derailleurs speed rating?

[ptolomy]

Hi guys im looking to buy a chain set for my bike but arnt quite sure as to what the different speeds mean e.g "10 speed rear","8-9 speed rear". Can someone tell me what these mean and if there is anything else would need to know about changing my gear system? Thankyou. :S

 

[MadoneRider1991]

its how many cogs are on the rear

 

[ptolomy]

well on my current bike there are 5 but i was also thinking about changing the entire gear system.

 

[Will1985]

It's more to do with the width of the jockey wheels and the cage. Certainly on Campag it is possible to use 9s and 10s derailleurs interchangeably.
There is also the factor of parallelogram geometry with amount of cable pull - Campag 11s is different, and IIRC Dura Ace used to be different to the rest of the Shimano range.

 

[ptolomy]

Is there any chance you could dumb that down for me :S

 

[Will1985]

Re-read the post - you said chainset. There is a difference in spacing between the rings, but not as important as at the cassette. Not idea about 8s I'm afraid, but you can use a 10s chainset with a 9s chain.

 

[Will1985]

Is there any chance you could dumb that down for me :S

OK - post up what you currently have on your bike, and what you have your eye/mind on as an upgrade.

Are you thinking just a chainset, or a whole system? If you have 5s, the spacing at the back might be too narrow to accept more modern systems.

 

[ptolomy]

Do you think it would be worth looking for a 5 speedderaileur then or worth getting a new cassette? with more cogs on that?

 

[ptolomy]

well currently i was just looking at options and weather it would be possible to fit certain components, my knowlege is very basic on modding bikes.

 

[Sittingduck]

What kind of bike is it? How old etc? If it's a £50 15 speed MTB with screw on rear gears it probably isn't worth spending the money upgrading the entire groupset on.

We can help and advise but probably need a bit more info

Cheers,
SD

 

[ptolomy]

5 cogs on back 2 cogs on the front, and my derailleur is a "simplex one" dont know if that means anything

 

[Sittingduck]

Road bike with drop handlebars? Any chance of a pic (of the bike...)

 

[ptolomy]

it is a very old viking race/road bike, i was actualy considering changing all the components on it slowly but starting with the gears as they are currently failing and keep slipping off.

 

[craigwend]

I'd recomend you go and discuss this with your local bike shop (lbs) as guessing from what you have put so far, your exisitng system maybe a bit difficult to find new parts etc, however as above find a decent bike shop and discuss with them.

Also use the search option to check for similar threads, 'Derailleurs' also are called 'rear mech's (ansisms)

try:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

 

[ptolomy]

i have pics but am not sure how to post them :S