9 speed vs. 10 speed

[landshark]

I just purchased a discounted ($300 off list) aluminum framed '06
Roubaix with 105 as my first road bike. I was wondering whether I
might have been better off spending more for the '07 version and
getting 30 speeds. Will parts availability become a problem anytime in
the near future?

[landotter]

landshark wrote:
> I just purchased a discounted ($300 off list) aluminum framed '06
> Roubaix with 105 as my first road bike. I was wondering whether I
> might have been better off spending more for the '07 version and
> getting 30 speeds. Will parts availability become a problem anytime in
> the near future?

Nope. Too bad you couldn't have found something 8 speed and your
replacement bits would be even cheaper. :-P

You might have an issue finding parts in 20 years or so. Or not, with
'puter tech, they might just manufacture them on the spot.

Nashbar's got their house brand 9spd cassettes on sale right now for
$17. They work just fine, grab a couple for the parts bin if you're
worried. I think Sun Race (?) makes them. Used them before and they
shift decently. Not the lightest thing in the world, but you'll never
notice. http://tinyurl.com/yb42mx

[[email protected]]

landshark wrote:
> I just purchased a discounted ($300 off list) aluminum framed '06
> Roubaix with 105 as my first road bike. I was wondering whether I
> might have been better off spending more for the '07 version and
> getting 30 speeds. Will parts availability become a problem anytime in
> the near future?

9-10, no real discernable difference. It will be a long time before
parts availability is a real problem. 10 years at least I'd guess.

I friend of mine bought an '06 Fuji Roubaix a few months ago to use as
his rain bike. His regular bike is a $4,000 carbon Pinarello. He says
the Roubaix is a great bike, and rides it almost every day now that it
is fall. If someone who normally rides a $4000 bike thinks it is nice,
I'm sure it is.

Have fun and congrats on a new bike!

Joseph

[Dane Buson]

landotter > wrote:
>
> Nashbar's got their house brand 9spd cassettes on sale right now for
> $17. They work just fine, grab a couple for the parts bin if you're
> worried. I think Sun Race (?) makes them. Used them before and they
> shift decently. Not the lightest thing in the world, but you'll never
> notice. http://tinyurl.com/yb42mx

I like the Nashbar cassette, except for one problem. They appear to be
made out of cheese whiz. After 1800 miles, the cassette was skipping
and worn out. I put on a new chain, chainrings and cassette all at the
same time. The chain (measured) less than 0.5 % elongated, so it hadn't
worn out yet.

On the other hand, I got the cassettes for $12 a piece, so I could
change the cassette every time I changed the chain and *still* end up
having it be cheaper than the alternatives (11-28 9speed).

--
Dane Buson -
"Let us have a moment of silence for all Americans who are now
stuck in traffic on their way to a health club to ride a stationary
bicycle." -- Congressman (and bike commuter) Earl Blumenauer (OR)
at the inauguration of a new D.C bike path.

[[email protected]]

Dane Buson wrote:
> landotter > wrote:
> >
> > Nashbar's got their house brand 9spd cassettes on sale right now for
> > $17. They work just fine, grab a couple for the parts bin if you're
> > worried. I think Sun Race (?) makes them. Used them before and they
> > shift decently. Not the lightest thing in the world, but you'll never
> > notice. http://tinyurl.com/yb42mx
>
> I like the Nashbar cassette, except for one problem. They appear to be
> made out of cheese whiz. After 1800 miles, the cassette was skipping
> and worn out. I put on a new chain, chainrings and cassette all at the
> same time. The chain (measured) less than 0.5 % elongated, so it hadn't
> worn out yet.
>
> On the other hand, I got the cassettes for $12 a piece, so I could
> change the cassette every time I changed the chain and *still* end up
> having it be cheaper than the alternatives (11-28 9speed).
>

I've got an Ultegra 6600 10 speed cassette that has probably 8,000
miles on it in the grimiest weather possible, and it is not showing
undue signs of wear. Some parts are worth the expense.

Joseph

[landotter]

wrote:
> Dane Buson wrote:
> > landotter > wrote:
> > >
> > > Nashbar's got their house brand 9spd cassettes on sale right now for
> > > $17. They work just fine, grab a couple for the parts bin if you're
> > > worried. I think Sun Race (?) makes them. Used them before and they
> > > shift decently. Not the lightest thing in the world, but you'll never
> > > notice. http://tinyurl.com/yb42mx
> >
> > I like the Nashbar cassette, except for one problem. They appear to be
> > made out of cheese whiz. After 1800 miles, the cassette was skipping
> > and worn out. I put on a new chain, chainrings and cassette all at the
> > same time. The chain (measured) less than 0.5 % elongated, so it hadn't
> > worn out yet.
> >
> > On the other hand, I got the cassettes for $12 a piece, so I could
> > change the cassette every time I changed the chain and *still* end up
> > having it be cheaper than the alternatives (11-28 9speed).
> >
>
> I've got an Ultegra 6600 10 speed cassette that has probably 8,000
> miles on it in the grimiest weather possible, and it is not showing
> undue signs of wear. Some parts are worth the expense.
>
> Joseph

I've put that on a $35 Sram as well. Must be the nice plating or
something.

Hmmm, I rode a bit on one of the Nashbar numbers. Shifted just like the
Sram, looked fine. Assumed it would last long enough seeing as it was
plated steel. I do wonder if they switch suppliers on the house brand
stuff?

[Dane Buson]

landotter > wrote:
> wrote:
>>
>> I've got an Ultegra 6600 10 speed cassette that has probably 8,000
>> miles on it in the grimiest weather possible, and it is not showing
>> undue signs of wear. Some parts are worth the expense.
>
> I've put that on a $35 Sram as well. Must be the nice plating or
> something.

I've used SRAM and Shimano, and I definitely get *much* better mileage
on those. They're reaching end of life at 8000 miles though. I'm hard
on components.

> Hmmm, I rode a bit on one of the Nashbar numbers. Shifted just like the
> Sram, looked fine. Assumed it would last long enough seeing as it was
> plated steel. I do wonder if they switch suppliers on the house brand
> stuff?

Oh, it shifted fine. But it wore through in no time. There is steel
and there is steel. I'm guessing the Nashbar is cheap cheap ****e steel
with chrome to make it pretty.

--
Dane Buson -
Neuroses are red,
Melancholia's blue.
I'm schizophrenic,
What are you?

[landshark]

Thanks for the replies. I feel better about the purchase now! Sounds
like i'll probably riding a different bike by the time parts become an
issue. BTW- the bike is a Specialized Roubaix.