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I'm running an ancient XT Octalink chainset which has been in use for years(now on its third bike)on a 3x9 setup.
At some point it's going to need to be replaced with something more modern. I don't really want to upgrade the whole drivetrain to 10 speed in one go, because of the cost and because there's still life in my current drivetrain.
As I understand it 9 speed chainsets can be used with 10 speed kit and 10 speed chainsets with 9 speed. There are some good deals available on older Hollowtech II XT 3x9 chainsets but equally there are good offers on 3x10 chainsets. I'm not sure what makes a 10 speed chainset 10 speed but the only significant difference between 3x9 and 3x10 that I can see is a 44 tooth vs 40 tooth large ring.
So the chainset would be used in a 3x9 setup which will be upgraded later to 10 speed; is there a best option between a 3x9 or 3x10 chainset?
The other option of course would be to wait until things start to fall apart and upgrade the whole lot to 2x10 in one go.
2*10 groupsets are much better value than a chain set only.I'd wait and upgrade the lot on one go.
Besides running a new chain set on an old chain could well damage the rings anyway.
Doubt you'll notice any difference between your "ancient" XT and the latest XT, if I were upgrading to 10 speed they'd be the last thing I'd buy.
Shifters, chain, cassette, front and rear mech, then chainset IF it's necessary.
Hi,
If you really MUST change into 10 speed change only chainrings.
Octalink BB will outlast any given external BB by miles and miles...
I'm using 105 octalink BB on my do-it-all bike (commuter, roadie, CX, gnarmac) and it is spinning buttery-fluid 3rd season, approaching 25k...
Cheers!
I.
I'm more than happy with my current chainset and not desperate to upgrade to 10 speed but recently I had to replace my wheels which had also done 8-10 years spread over 3 bikes as the rims were beginning to crack; it's more a case of that making me aware that nothing lasts for ever. There are no cracks that I can see in the crank arms but there may come the time when, for safety's sake, they'll need replacing.
Haven't seen too many catastrophically failing crankset pics in the Web.
Especially that I'm still riding FC-M730 square tapered cranks from around 1990 on my single speed.
No problems whatsoever...
Cheers!
I.