newbie chain question

I have a specialized allez elite tripple. I am in the process of buying the right replacement chain just to have on hand when the time comes.

My question is: Everything on the bike is ten speed (cassette, chain, etc.). In the manual it tells me all the codes for new parts. But, on the brake/shift levers the words "9 speed" is printed on it. Should I ignore this or does it really mean i'm running a nine speed? Thanks

How many sprockets on the cassette? If 10, does it actually shift to all 10?

There are 9

Sorry dude, if your cassette has 9 cogs, then you are running 9 speed. Therefore, you need to get a 9 speed compatible chain.

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I guess they don't give out the right manuals anymore

Is it a brand new bike? I'm wondering about the manual you mentioned and why you would have been given a 10 speed manual for a 9 speed bike.

Anyway, in my very humble opinion, of all the things on a bike, the fact that it is 9 speed rather than 10 is probably one of the least significant (compared to frame material, fork, wheels, tires, etc). I ride 9 speed and have absolutely no desire to change to 10 until I need a whole new bike or derailleur/shifter set up. It only means that between your highest and lowest gear, there's one less step. The quality, I believe, is the same. One advantage that you'll realize right away is that 9 speed chain is quite a bit cheaper!

Could be that your LBS changed the group to lower the price so that they could move the bike and gave you the manual for the bike the way it was originally. You know "nobody" ever uses the manual anyway, you're supposed to take it back to the LBS whenever you need anything . Did you get a great deal on the bike?

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I don't think they changed the group. On the specialized website they advertise the allez as being a nine speed. and i did get a good deal for the bike.

another question. Everything on the bike is 9spd (chain, cassette, shifters) except the rear derailleur which is a 10speed. Why would this be or is it just a number?

As I understand it, there will be no functional difference between a 10 speed rear der. and a 9 speed. The shifting is actually controlled by the speed shifter, in your case, 9 speed.

The der. itself doesn't have indexed spots to move into - it can just move smoothly over a range and the range is determined by the high and low stops. The stops can be adjusted to stop the der. anywhere (in reason). Those stops are determined by the range of movement needed from the smallest cog to the largest. Both the 9 speed and 10 speed rear derailleurs have adequate range for your 9 speed cassette (I believe both would also have adequate range for a 10 speed cassette too). Therefore both will work if controlled by a shifter that is matched to the # of cogs on your cassette.

Where the der. actually stops when you shift is controlled by the shifters and how they move the cables. That's all the derailler "knows". If it's a 9 speed shifter, the inner workings of the shifter move the cable - and der. - exactly the right amount to match with the space betweenn each cog on a 9 speed cassette. That movemet would be the same whether the der. is labeled "9" or "10".

I also believe that if it's a 10 speed shifter, it would move the rear der. the correct amout whether the der. was "9" or "10".