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One for the technically minded amongst you!
Currently I run a 1x9 set as below
SRAM X0 rear shifter - 9 speed
SRAM X0 Rear Mech - Medium cage 37 tooth capacity
SLX M660 crankset with Velosolo 34 tooth singlespeed ring
FSA team 9 speed chain
I also have a SRAM X0 front shifter ( 3 speed ) available
What I want to do is swap out the crankset to Shimano XT double with 40/28 chain rings.
So the question is will this work and/or what do I need to make it work
As I see it I will just need a 10speed chain, Front Derailleur and the crankset. Would that be right?
My concerns are if the spacing on chain rings on 10 speed is the same as 9 speed, if not I'm guessing there may be an issue with indexing the front shifter ( plan is to use the upper and lower limit screws to lock out the '3rd' ring position ).
Also would I be best to use a 10 speed or 9 speed chain, as I understand the inner plate dimensions are the same and only vary on the outer plate dimensions.
Totally confusing myself, any advise greatly received
The front SHOULD work with a 9 speed chain. Chains are more critical when it comes to the cassette. As long as you are running a 9 speed cassette you should be OK. You should be able to trim your front mech to work the chainrings, but as I have no experience of SRAM fronts my advice would be to get a proper XT 2x10 or SLX 2x10 front mech (they are chainring specific) just to be sure. So, try trimming it first experimenting between using the outer and middle positions, and if that fails (a lot will depend on how high on the seat tube you moount it, thus determining where the cage ends up on the small rear cogs) try using the inner and middle positions.
I'm running 2x9 on a 10 speed XT double.
SRAM 9 speed chain & cassette
shifting by Microshift thumbies, older (4 year old) XT rear mech, new double front.
All works fabulously.
I am running 2x9 with an 2x10 FSA K-force Light and Shimano XT rear mech, shifters, cassette and chain all 9 speed - no problems, smooth as butter. Using the limit screws on the front mech to lock out 3rd ring works fine. I don't think that a 10 speed chain works with 9 speed mech and cassette.
Cheers, good to see that some have it working.
Sure I read that the chainring spacing was slightly different on the crankset between 9 and 10 speed. My only thoughts on this would be that it would be possible for a 10 speed chain to drop between the rings on a 9 speed crankset ? Maybe?
As the rings are the same thickness I guess going the other way has no impact?
Looking at this from another angle, I'm wondering if I'm gaining much from the change from 1x9
If I go 40/28 I gain a lower gear in 40-11 and 40-13 and a higher gear in 28-34
If I go 38/26 I gain a lower gear in 38-11 and a higher gear in 26-30 and 26-34
3x9 would give me 6 more usable gears...
In both instances the only tangible benefit is 3 extra gears across the range.
Running 1x9 isn't killing me so which is the better option, stick with 1x9 or change to 40/28 or 38/26?
I like the fact that on the 1x9 you don't have the option to mess around changing between big middle small rings to find the perfect gear..
This is used on a 29er HT for general riding including trail centres?