9-speed vs 10-speed?

[BikeBetty]

I think the best reason to go with the 10 speed is the compatibility issue. I finally have all my road and cross bikes with Shimano 10 speed which makes it easier to be able to use my road wheels as pit wheels. However, I would also say that my first year of racing cross it probably wouldn't have mattered as I'm not positive that I would have ran the whole course, changed my wheel and got back in the race. Now that I've been racing for awhile I would as I would want the points for our series even if they were for last place.

The only thing that I don't like about the 10 speed cassette is that it is much harder to clean out mud, grass and other random crap that accumulates when there is a bad weather race. The 9 speed was spaced just a tiny bit wider so was easier to dig out all the gunk. It's still doable with 10 speed but it is a little more work.

Have fun with cross!

[RoadRaven]

I guess my question is - why do you need the extra gear? Think about the riding you do... will you use it?

If your racing and riding is mostly flat... well, you probly don't need a 10

If you don't need it, then it doesn't matter if the bike you want comes with a 9 speed...

However, Lisa explains exactly how the range of gears in a 9 or 10 can work...

And BikeBetty has an excellent reason for getting one type or the other if you have more than one bike...



Just re-reading my post - I think I have managed a good waffle without being particularly helpful!

[Sheesh]

RoadRaven - Therein lies my quandry!

I think I've decided to go with a 10-speed since that's what my husband has, so we'll be able to use each other's wheels if necessary.

Thanks for the help!

Once I actually bite the bullet and buy a new bike, I'll be sure to post pictures.

[cwodiva]

I'm probably adding my 2cents after the fact! lol! However, I think you are making the right decision with the 10-speed, I run a 10speed durace, it's flat here in Florida for cross, and it worked well in Georgia for other types of hillier races. Also I road train a lot on my cross bike, it's easy to switch out my road wheels, (rather than having to wrestle with tires) and my husband has awesome wheels that are 10 speed so then I can switch out with him and use his wheels

You should try cross racing! Racing cyclocross is really fun, low key without a lot of pressure, unless you want to have pressure. Very different from the road scene.

[madisongrrl]

RoadRaven - Therein lies my quandry!

I think I've decided to go with a 10-speed since that's what my husband has, so we'll be able to use each other's wheels if necessary.

Thanks for the help!

Once I actually bite the bullet and buy a new bike, I'll be sure to post pictures.

Good choice. When you race CX this fall you will appreciate the extra gears and ease of shifting. Chicago might not have many hills ,but CX is cold, rainy, snowy and muddy here in the midwest....and those extra gears are necessary because all you do is slog through mud half the season. Extra gears are nice on you legs when you attend a double header.

I've been injured all mountain bike season, so I'm really getting excited to race CX. I was planning on doing a few Chicago CX races since I know a few of the racers there. But it seems like WI's CX's is so packed this year, that there might not be enough time...

http://www.wicycling.org/CycloCross/crossSchedule.htm

[Sheesh]

My husband is talking about doing some races in Wisconsin this year, depending on how the schedule fits with everything else we have going on. We only have four (this year, five) races in Chicago, so I hope we're able to make it to Wisconsin!

[RoadRaven]

I think I've decided to go with a 10-speed since that's what my husband has, so we'll be able to use each other's wheels if necessary.

Most excellent basis for a decision, Sheesh. Very practical.

Go bite the bullet and get a new bike!

[Sheesh]

RoadRaven - I have bitten the bullet and ordered a new Redline Conquest Pro. Should be here within the next week or so!

[RoadRaven]

Most excellent, Sheesh

I just went to redlinebicycles.com
I know very little about cyclocross bikes, as our stable is mostly road race bikes


but... this is one sweet looking machine

Very much looking forward to hearing more when you have extended your "family"

[Sheesh]

They still have the 2007 model on their website. I found pics of the 2008 model on roadbikereview. I'm pretty sure my LBS ordered the 2008, but I won't know for sure until I see it. I could ask, but I guess I'd rather be surprised...

[madisongrrl]

RoadRaven - I have bitten the bullet and ordered a new Redline Conquest Pro. Should be here within the next week or so!

That is the same bike I have (2007 model) except I had mine built up in 105.