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Old November 13th 03, 08:36 AM
gwhite
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Default Stockpiling 110mm/74mm chainrings and cranks



Matt O'Toole wrote:

"David L. Johnson" wrote in message
...

I'm not sure why 7-speed is more sensible than 8, or even 9.


I wouldn't seek them out specifically, but all else being equal (including
price), I wouldn't forsake a 7sp bike in favor of a newer one. 7sp gear was
more sensible in many ways.

First, 7sp wheels are stronger, because of less dish. Second, while it isn't as
silky-smooth, 7sp gear shifted more solidly and reliably -- probably because of
stronger derailer springs, and more cable pull.

Considering
that you cannot still get a better chain with 7-speed, more like the
chains of old that Jobst talks about, there is little advantage.


I don't know what you mean by "better," unless you have a chrome fetish.



He's talking about sleeved bushing chains rather than the current sleeveless.

Here's
a perfectly good 7sp chain:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...ype=&estoreid=


Well yeah, it is fine -- I always buy the cheapest chains. But I think cheapo
sleeveless needs to get down in the $5-$6 range when it comes to lifetime
comparison cost with sleeved (of course it is hard to compare _current_ prices
since sleeved does not exist anymore).

9-speed
stuff is dirt cheap,


7sp stuff is dirt cheaper. You can get old cassettes and chainrings on sale for
$15. And the chainrings work -- they're not as fussy about lateral spacing,
etc. Some modern stuff, like my 8sp LX, won't work without the *exact*
replacement -- brand, model, and year.


My 8 & 9 stuff is not at all fussy. I have a 53x33 crank with a 9sp -- it works
pretty good.

But most of all, 7sp *bikes* are cheap.


Reason enough.

and lasts as long as any other.


I disagree with that too. 7sp cogs were thicker.


Not to my knowledge. 7sp & 8sp are both 1.8 mm, and the 8sp has one more cog to
share that wear. If you pop a 16 into the 12-21 7sp to make an 8sp, that extra
cog will definitely share the wear since it is in the fat of the range. The 9sp
cogs are 1.78 mm, not enough to really care about. And there are _two_ more
cogs to share the wear. Uniglide was really the long wear cog. It was the same
1.8mm, but it could be reversed.

Without the shaped and
shortened teeth, chainrings lasted longer.

Matt O.

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