Chain Compatibility

In article <[email hidden]>, greyfx2 @aol.com says...

Quoted message said:

I am upgrading my cassette and shifters from 7-speed to 8-speed on an old recumbent. Can anyone
tell me if my old chainrings and front derailleur will work with the narrower chain, or will I
need to swap the front derailleu), so I cannot try or even measure stuff to get an idea.

I am not even sure of the brand on the cranks/derailleur, but I BELIEVE cranks are Suntour (1995
Vision).

I believe that 7&8 speed uses the same chain. It is only when you go to 9-speed that the chain gets
too narrow for 7-8 speed cogs. A Suntour or any other crank can use any number of brands of
chainring as long as the BCD hole pattern matches. Also, I am not aware of chainrings being sold to
match a particular (7,8,or 9) rear cassette.

--
Cletus D. Lee Bacchetta Giro Lightning Voyager clee.orgclee.orgOpen ↗
- Bellaire, TX USA -

Hmmm, are ya sure you were there :-) I saw a Whizwheelz, a V2, and an EZ1 in addition to my Stratus.
The Strat and the EZ1 did the 24 mile loop, while the WW and V2 did the 51, but didn't finish until
2:30 or 3. Have no idea when they started. Sorry to have missed you.

Hmmm, are ya sure you were there :-) I saw a Whizwheelz, a V2, and an EZ1 in addition to my Stratus.
The Strat and the EZ1 did the 24 mile loop, while the WW and V2 did the 51, but didn't finish until
2:30 or 3. Have no idea when they started. Sorry to have missed you.

Cletus D. Lee said:

I am not aware of chainrings being sold to match a particular (7,8,or 9) rear cassette.

Actually they are, but it's only an issue for those dumb enough to use Shimano chain and shifters.

DeVon,

As long as you're upgrading, is there a reason why you're not going to a 9-speed cassette and
shifter like the newer Visions? You'll need a 9-speed-compatible freehub, of course ($25-$50 plus
wheelbuilding labor). You can get a Shimano XT "Mega-9" cassette for about $50, then you'll need a
matching Shimano shifter (Deore, LX, or XT all work fine, as long as they're 9-speed shifters). SRAM
shifters should work too, if you don't mind grip-shift style shifters (I much prefer Rapid-Fire).
Don't know if your 7-speed rear derrailleur will work, but I don't see why not, assuming it has
enough adjustment to cover the gear range. Use an SRAM PC-59 chain and there should be no trouble
with your existing chainrings and front derrailleur (which may need a small adjustment for the
narrower chain. I really think you'll love a 9-speed drivetrain. I mainly love my 11T cog for those
35 MPH down-hill or down-wind legs.

Bill Anton 2001 Vision R-40 26x26 SWB OSS 33º 34' N, 101º 56' W

[email hidden] (GreyFx2) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am upgrading my cassette and shifters from 7-speed to 8-speed on an old recumbent. Can anyone
tell me if my old chainrings and front derailleur will work with the narrower chain, or will I
need to swap the front derailleu), so I cannot try or even measure stuff to get an idea.

I am not even sure of the brand on the cranks/derailleur, but I BELIEVE cranks are Suntour (1995
Vision).

Thanks, in advance, for any help.

BTW I did the Possum Trot Bicycle Boogie in Columbus IN Saturday (10/10). A BEAUTIFUL ride out of
a lovely small city .... but saw NO recumbents. The 51-mile route IS a bit challenging hill wise,
but only needed small chain-ring 3 or 4 times. Keep this ride in mind for next year:
mustdorides.commustdorides.comOpen ↗

DeVon staff.goshenschools.orgcycling.htmlOpen ↗

Mark Stonich said:

Cletus D. Lee said:

I am not aware of chainrings being sold to match a particular (7,8,or 9) rear cassette.

Actually they are, but it's only an issue for those dumb enough to use Shimano chain and shifters.

Mark,

Does your condemnation include Bar-Cons or just Rabidfires (sic)?

Tom Sherman - Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

Actually the upgrade is for my '95 "vacation" bike. I am using 8-spd cassette, derailleur, and chain
from my 1999 Vision R40 (my faired winter bike).

This summer I picked up a 9-speed XT 11-34 cassette, derailleur, and XT shifters (yes I'm one of the
"stupid" ones who love Shimano Rapid Fires and want to trash the grip shifters on my older R40). I
am already using the new stuff on my 2002 R44 (and am happy with them). A friend has been using my
1995 R40 in Charlotte and is delivering it to Ft. Worth for me where my son lives. I will be
travelling down there (from northern IN) soon to make the upgrades and ride.

Thanks for all the advice .... a private email from a reader alerted me to the fact I will need an
8-spd compatible wheel/hub, which I already have an extra of here.

DeVon 1995 R40 1999 R40 2002 R44.5 (USS/Pantour)

[email hidden] (Bill Anton) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

DeVon,

As long as you're upgrading, is there a reason why you're not going to a 9-speed cassette and
shifter like the newer Visions? You'll need a 9-speed-compatible freehub, of course ($25-$50 plus
wheelbuilding labor). You can get a Shimano XT "Mega-9" cassette for about $50, then you'll need a
matching Shimano shifter (Deore, LX, or XT all work fine, as long as they're 9-speed shifters).
SRAM shifters should work too, if you don't mind grip-shift style shifters (I much prefer
Rapid-Fire). Don't know if your 7-speed rear derrailleur will work, but I don't see why not,
assuming it has enough adjustment to cover the gear range. Use an SRAM PC-59 chain and there
should be no trouble with your existing chainrings and front derrailleur (which may need a small
adjustment for the narrower chain. I really think you'll love a 9-speed drivetrain. I mainly love
my 11T cog for those 35 MPH down-hill or down-wind legs.

Bill Anton 2001 Vision R-40 26x26 SWB OSS 33º 34' N, 101º 56' W

[email hidden] (GreyFx2) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am upgrading my cassette and shifters from 7-speed to 8-speed on an old recumbent. Can anyone
tell me if my old chainrings and front derailleur will work with the narrower chain, or will I
need to swap the front derailleu), so I cannot try or even measure stuff to get an idea.

I am not even sure of the brand on the cranks/derailleur, but I BELIEVE cranks are Suntour (1995
Vision).

Thanks, in advance, for any help.

BTW I did the Possum Trot Bicycle Boogie in Columbus IN Saturday (10/10). A BEAUTIFUL ride out
of a lovely small city .... but saw NO recumbents. The 51-mile route IS a bit challenging hill
wise, but only needed small chain-ring 3 or 4 times. Keep this ride in mind for next year:
mustdorides.commustdorides.comOpen ↗

DeVon staff.goshenschools.orgcycling.htmlOpen ↗

Tom Sherman <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Mark Stonich said:

Cletus D. Lee said:

I am not aware of chainrings being sold to match a particular (7,8,or 9) rear cassette.

Actually they are, but it's only an issue for those dumb enough to use Shimano chain and
shifters.

Mark, Does your condemnation include Bar-Cons or just Rabidfires (sic)? Tom Sherman - Near the
confluence of the Mississippi and Rock Rivers

Oops! should have said "Shimano *index only* front shifters". However the Shimano bar end front
shifters friction mode is no match for real BarCons (A SunTour model name)

For me Shifting Nirvana is; SRAM chain and Gripshift for the rear mech. Shimano Cassettes and
derailleurs Suntour or Rivendell "Power Ratchet" shifter for the front. Suntour graciously helped
Rivendell to resurrect this long out of production, superior technology.

BTW One of the reasons you need to be 8 or 9 speed specific with "all Shimano" drivetrain is that
their 8 speed chain is 0.8mm wider than their 9 speed chain. The corresponding SRAM chains are only
0.2mm different.