[Mike on his bike]

Hello,

I would be very grateful for advice on these 2 questions if anyone could help please.
I’ve been cycling for all my life and ride thousands of miles per year.
I always used the same type of bikes and gearing until recently, my knowledge of parts is therefore very limited.
I have for 30 years ridden straight bar bikes and I always liked and used triple chain sets for range and less difference between the gears on the cassette etc.

Firstly, my current bike is 2 a chain ring 2×9, I am changing it to triple for slightly more range and a more importantly a less “clunky” cassette.
Ie. changing to a 3×10.
I am aware that some may be shocked at this seeing the trend is for fewer chainrings but I would prefer 3.
Each time I find a chain set and cassette, one is HG-X the other maybe HG.
I am currently looking at a Hollowtech Shimano triple chain set 10 speed which is HG-X, the Shimano cassette 10 speed is HG.
Is it possible to mix these ? also if so which chain – HG-X or HG.
Some chains seem to be 2 chain ring only as well when I am going triple.

Secondly,  the current double top swing front mech is rated at 63-68 degree.
Obviously I will be changing that to a triple front mech, top swing, but the choice is 63-66 or 66-69 degree.
I cannot find the chain stay angle info on this 2 year old bike, it is not listed on the company’s site.
Does it matter which angle of front mech, if so which might be best.

Thanks again.

Mike.
 

Topic

[Mike on his bike]

Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the help.

I used KMC for years, I might use one here if they’re OK to go on.

Genune ones only come in 114 links or 122 links so KMC have just told me.

I need a 116, so I’ll cut it down if use a 122.

 

Mike.

[Simon E]

Rendel Harris wrote:

Shimano certainly say Deore is HGX compatible: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/deore-m6000/CS-HG50-10.html

I’m sure an HG chain would work fine with an HGX chainset and viceversa but given the minimal price differential may as well go with the chain specifically designed for the chainset?

I would think that any 10-speed chain will work fine. I’d recommend KMC X10 with the quicklink.

Shimano claims this about the HG-X chain: “A directional mountain bike specific 10-speed HG-X chain means smoother shifts, lighter weight and greater overall performance. Outer side is optimized for front shifting and inner side is optimized for rear shifting.” [here] Which confirms my impression that HG-X was intended for abuse on MTBs in muddy, gnaaaarrly conditions.

Similarly with cassettes, any 10-speed cassette (Shimano Tiagra / Deore, SRAM, Sunrace or Miche) will surely work fine, though I’m happy to be corrected if someone knows differently.

[Mike on his bike]

OK thanks for the info. It is

OK thanks for the info. It is indeed not a problem to get a chain same as the chainset. It’s just if those two were HG-X, the cassette was going to be a HG one.

Thaks again.

Mike.

[Mike on his bike]

Thanks for the reply, I’ll

Thanks for the reply, I’ll work through all the info. Yes it’s hybrid. The current double front mech is rated 63-68 so when I saw 63-66 or 66-69, it threw me.

Thanks again, Mike.

[Rendel Harris]

Shimano certainly say Deore

Shimano certainly say Deore is HGX compatible: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/deore-m6000/CS-HG50-10.html

I’m sure an HG chain would work fine with an HGX chainset and viceversa but given the minimal price differential may as well go with the chain specifically designed for the chainset?

[Woldsman]

You state that for 30 years

You state that for 30 years you have ridden triple chainset flat bar bikes, but now have a 2×9 bike.  I’m assuming that when you went with a 2×9 bike it was also a flat bar bike – a hybrid?  You also don’t state specifically which model of triple chainset you have in mind.  

Re the chain my initial thought was to go with the HG.  My reasoning was that HG-X, as I understand it, is a directional chain.  With Shimano 105 5703 triple chainsets Shimano specified that the groupset’s 5700 chain should not be used – it was a directional chain that was only supposed to be used on double chainsets.  (They specified an Ultegra 6600 chain – it isn’t directional.)

However, Tiagra 4703 triple chainsets (with SG-X chainrings) are designed to work with HG-X chains, apparently.  Hmm.  If you are in any doubt my suggestion would be go with the HG chain.  It should be compatible with a triple chainset, whilst an HG-X model chain may not be.  Why take the risk?

I asked if you have a hybrid – or ‘trekking’ bike – as these typically take a front derailleur made with a chainstay angle of 63-66 in mind.  66-69 chainstay angle derailleurs are designed to fit around MTB chainstays on bikes that need to accommodate wider tyres.  At least that’s how it was in the olden days.  

Your current bike has a derailleur designed for bikes with a chainstay angle of 63-66 so, if it works as it should, again why take the risk? Stick with a new triple front mech designed to be used with a 63-66 chainstay angle.  

Further reading on the CTC forum thread “Chainstay angle”:

https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?t=142049

Good luck.  

[Mike on his bike]

OK thanks for the info.

OK thanks for the info.

 

I though at least some deore stated they were HG not HG-X but I’ll keep looking

If Use a HG-X chainset, do I have to have HG-X chain and cassette or can I use HG.

Mike.

[Rendel Harris]

Deore 10sp cassettes are

Deore 10sp cassettes are designed to work with HGX chains as is the CSHG50, if that helps.

[Mike on his bike]

Thanks for the reply. I’ll

Thanks for the reply. I’ll look in to maybe measuring in the end but thought it might be little inaccurate. Just wondered if the degrees mattered that much.

Thanks again.

Mike.

[levestane]

I’m of like mind with 3×10

I’m of like mind with 3×10 but I’ve retained the resiliance of friction shift so cannot advise on the foibles of index shifting. For tube angle, does you phone have a level? These are normally good to +/- 1 deg even for difference measurements.

I didn’t know chains could be fussy over number of chainrings.

[Author]

Replies