9 speed chainset.....7 speed chain

[walshy69]

Hi All,

Is it possible to use a 7speed chain on a 9 speed chainset ? or will that cause major wear/shifting issues on the chainset ?

Many thanks

 

[sancho]

It should work, but if you're running a 9 speed cluster with a 7 speed chain you will probably have shifting issues due to the spacing between the cogs.

 

[drystonepaul]

The a 9 speed chainset with a 7 or 8 speed chain will work fine.
The indexing on a 9 speed cassette with a 7 or 8 speed chain won't work very well due to the sprocket spacing as mentioned.

A 9 speed chain however will work on a 7 or 8 speed chainset and cassette.

 

[marin man]

What about an eight speed chain on a 9 speed setup and vice versa...will it wear anything any quicker :?

 

[1988_Ben]

I don't think running an incompatible chain would affect wear on sprocket/chainring teeth. This only comes from worn chain bearing rings/bushings (otherwise know as 'stretch').

I think there could be some compatibility issues, as I think 8 speed chains are slightly wider.

The price difference between an SRAM PC950 and PC850 isn't worth worrying about, so just get the right thing. Presumably you already have the 8 speed chain though - or your cassette is too worn for a new chain

Actually, I don't even know if the OP is asking about cassettes. For chainrings, it makes no difference - they're all for 3/32" chains, although the newer 10 speed stuff might be thinner still ?

 

[drystonepaul]

6, 7 and 8 speed chains are the same width at about 7.1 - 7.2mm, whereas 9 speed chains are usually up to 6.8mm.

The 9 speed set up is designed with correspondingly narrower gaps between the cassette sprockets and so using a 7 or 8 speed chain, although only ~0.3mm wider will not be very easy to index properly.

Not sure what the effects would be in terms of wear, only in terms of shifting performance.

 

[marin man]

It is only a colour issue with me gold nitride chain...new...and a bike that is running eight speed with all golden bits,and a silver eight speed chain again new that I want to swap between bikes :? I will have a go and report back later :?

 

[drystonepaul]

... although the newer 10 speed stuff might be thinner still ?

I think the new 10 speed chains measure in at about 6.2mm.

 

[JamesM]

They should make chains 2mm wide then we could have 30 speed

 

[marin man]

Yep ans sore nuts from top tube impact each time the chain snapped