9 speed gearing ratios problems

[guybe]

Hello chaps,

I like to ask about gearing ratios, I have finished building my Cannondale up and have 9 speed cassette of 11/34 with 42/32/22 chainrings, I have been two long bike rides so far and I think the gearing ratios I picked is wrong as on normal speed, I am using the front big chainring and the last 4 small gears on cassette and seem to run out of gears if I want to go faster.

Before the rebuild, I used to have 8 speed and always use the middle front chainring all the time and still have a reasonable speed using the cassette gears only. Will the 11/28 be better for 9 speed?

Secondly, the cassette and chain is Sram make, when using the last 3 small gears on cassette, it was making a clicking noise and noticed the chain width is touching between the teeth, are all Sram 9 speed chains have same width? is there any better and thinner ones out there to use?

Hope to hear some advice, cheers

 

[Anthony]

I think you're just bragging now, aren't you Guy? Too fast for your bike, that's your problem. Try holding the brakes on all the time to give your mates a chance to keep up with you!

Seriously though, a standard 9-speed chainset will have a 44 ring, which is a bit faster than a 42, so that could be worth trying. But really if you're too fast for 42 over 11 then you're pretty fast. Maybe try a 29er?

But if you're finding the other gears a bit slower, that's to be expected - remember the 11-28 8-sp cassette goes 11, 12, 14, 16 etc, whereas the 11-34 9-sp goes 11, 13, 15, 17, so 9th is the same as the old 8th, but 8th is a bit slower than the old 7th etc. May take time to get used to.

And if your chain is snagging the adjacent sprocket, are you absolutely, absolutely sure it isn't an 8-speed chain?

 

[guybe]

Hello Anthony and thanks for replying, yes the chain is def 9 speed, maybe I should do a few more rides to let it wear in the cassette, if it's still clicking and rubbing in the cassette later, then I have to try finding a thinner chain.

Well I need to stick with the front 3 chainrings as I spend alot of money on them last month, I was used riding with the middle chainring for the last 10 years, I guess I have to adjust and get used to using the outer chainring more, if it's still slow then I will try 11/28.

29er, I did see them at Bristol bikefest in June, not my cup of tea, looked too big and heavy, 26" wheels looked better and more retro! lol

Cheers

 

[shovelon]

Did you change your chain to a 9 speed chain? An 8 speed chain is a bit wider and that may be the reason it clicks on the next gear which is spaced a bit narrower.

Terry

 

[guybe]

yes def 9 speed chain, I bought the chain and cassette together, both Sram make, maybe it need a few more rides to wear in?

 

[MJN]

Hi,for racing and not too hilly riding I run a 11-27 Ultegra cassette matched with 24/34/46 chainrings.On the all mountain full suss thingy I have similar ratios to you,with this you just have to learn to spin!