Categories: Accessories and GearBelgian AffirmationsBreaking The RulesCogalsDefining Moments

Test Drive Dummies

Woopsie-dasies.

Everyone knows it’s a great idea to change out pieces of equipment the day before a group ride, especially an honorary Ronde van Vlaanderen Cogal involving steep, cobblestone climbs. There is obviously also no need to test-ride the equipment after making said change.

I remark at this point that it is rather unexpected to find an 11 speed chain inside a box labeled as being 10 speed. I also note that an 11 speed chain is not obviously narrower than its 10 speed counterpart. Once installed, it even seems to operate normally, happily jumping from one cog to the next, up and down the cassette, as you click away at it on the work stand. It gives the strong impression of being a happy chain.

This is a ruse. It is not a happy chain. In fact, it is a borderline malicious chain; it lulls the rider into a false sense of security, right until the moment that enough pressure is applied to the pedals, at which point the chain will rudely skip. The amount of pressure required to make the chain skip is dependent upon in which gear you are riding; some skip easily, some (seemingly) not at all. The ones that seemed like they didn’t skip at all were the two lowest gears. Comforting, knowing the steep cobbled climbs that were to be gobbled up towards the end of the ride, where they would be most instrumental.

As it turns out, the amount of pressure required to skip the chain is the amount applied at roughly 20% and the rider has risen out of the saddle in search of extra power. This came as quite a surprise to me, the rider, and also to those riding behind me, who used words like “ejected” and “like you hit an invisible car” to describe what they saw.

So, I can make with certainty the following observation: a 10 speed chain and 11 speed chain might not have any outward trappings of distinction between them but they are indeed very different. This difference manifests itself by one functioning as expected and the other having the capacity to eject a rider when combined with a 10 speed drivetrain. It all seems very obvious, but that doesn’t make it less true.*

There are many other examples of this I’m sure; I remember having quite a job of properly connecting my Cinelli stem to my Scott Drop-In handlebars because the diameters did not quite match. That one also resulted in some high speed handling anomalies.

There are two morals to this story. First, it matters whether your equipment is interoperable. Second, if you make a change to your gear before a big ride, for the love of Merckx, take it on a test drive.

*As it turns out, it does in fact make it less true; this should function flawlessly but it was a worn(ish) cassette that held the secret to the bikes newly discovered ejection function.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

kixsand says:

Apr 5 2016 at 2:18 pm

@Oli

To clarify, using a chain wider than specified isn’t good – i.e. using a 10sp chain on an 11sp drivetrain – but using a narrower chain (11sp chain on 10sp cogs, 10sp on 9sp, etc., etc.) isn’t a problem.

I just did this on Sunday!

I climbed aboard my ERG Trainer mounted CAAD 10 with 11 speed Ultegra and heard the most horrible of noises coming from the BB as I turned the pedals - Rule 9 ride two days previous had filled the BB with sand apparently.

Anyway, went and grabbed me other bike - 10 speed SRAM and threw that on the ERG Trainer. The trainer in question is a Tacx Neo - direct drive. I have an 11-25 Ultegra 11 speed cassette on the Tacx.

So, for a two hour ride - in just one gear - I was rolling my 10 speed chain around on an 11 speed cassette.

Everything seems fine - should I be worried? Oli?
kixsand says:

Apr 5 2016 at 2:22 pm

@Oli

@Buck Rogers

I’m perfectly cheerful, but just don’t like bullshit masquerading as fact! My comment will disappear in the queue but the article will remain telling people something that could affect choice and is plain wrong. Sorry if it comes across badly but I can’t not say anything.

And really, if anyone happens by to scan just the headlines without taking in the merciless dissection that inevitably takes places below then they deserve to a good fucking over.
JohnB says:

Apr 5 2016 at 2:32 pm

I've a couple of experiences to share on this thread. I use a Park Tool CC 3.2 chain wear tool and use it about once a month. If the 0.75% wear indicator goes into the chain - change it and the cassette is fine. If the 1.0% indicator goes in - the cassette needs changed too as the chain is so worn it has affected the gears you use most. This has stood me in good stead for 10+ years and I can replace the chain 3 or sometimes 4 times before replacing the cassette. I mainly use Ultegra on the better bikes, 105 or Tiagra on others inc CX. SRAM on MTB. Chains looked after and cleaned now and again but I rarely completely degrease and strip the chain of everything as I see them as consumables to be bought in bulk and replaced as soon as necessary.

On 10 speed fitting 11 speed, anyone who does neutral service at local races will know that a wheel fitted with a 10 speed cassette will work in an 11 speed drivetrain and vice versa, maybe not absolutely perfectly but good enough to get back in the race. No-one I know of has gone arse over tit, so to speak as a result!
chris says:

Apr 5 2016 at 3:33 pm

@wiscot

Pop the item to be cleaned into a solvent filled container, pop that into the the High Quality Product Witchcraft Box (HQPWB) and then fill the HQPWB to the same level with deionised water then let the ultrasonics do their thing. I used one of the kids toothbrushes to get rid of any remaining residue.

Apparently you can you use petrol and other more toxic solvents but unless you know what your doing and have Heisenberg style PPE then I'd suggest sticking to the usual degreaser.

As well as the cheapo Chinese item pictured above there also an Official Donald Trump endorsed cleaner...
Oli says:

Apr 5 2016 at 4:25 pm

@chris

Oh well in that case I do disapprove, haha! I'm definitely in the never fully strip a chain camp, but it's just a preference not a deal-breaker. *winky-face*

@Ron

Personally I'd only step down once, but I use 9sp chains on my 8sp drivetrains when/if I can't get decent 8sp chains. I haven't tried a 10sp chain so wouldn't want to proffer a firm opinion.

@MangoDave

Thanks!

@Gianni

Thanks!

@kixsand

Nope, ride away.

@JohnB

I'm not disagreeing with you entirely, but even with scrupulous chain checking the cassette can/will eventually wear. Most times you'll be fine but you can still get caught out.
Duntov says:

Apr 5 2016 at 4:35 pm

@Oli

And too add insult to injury ---- It's "Crash Test Dummies" NOT "Test Drive Dummies"!!!!!
JohnB says:

Apr 5 2016 at 4:52 pm

@Oli

Indeed. That's why I stated I get 3 or 4 chain changes before the cassette must be renewed.
frank says:

Apr 5 2016 at 4:58 pm

@Major VVald

@Kevin Smith

Cobble taste test – yes that’s what I’m going to call it from now on. So much better than “endo.” Funniest thing I’ve read in a while. Almost choked on food.

Cobble Taste Test, we must add this one to the Lexi. @Kevin was just as funny in person. Well played!
frank says:

Apr 5 2016 at 4:59 pm

@Gerhardt

So this weekend was a big optimum race weekend here.

So as I put on my race wheel I thought I’d throw on a new chain as well.

The next morning I load my bike and went off to race the crit.

I begin to warm up get out of my saddle to throw down a little power CRACK BANG.

People were scared and thought my frame broke.

A hanious chain skip.after I messed with it the the super pro bike mechanic messed with it he said it must be the chain. Both ten speed one just older, but not that old.

do I drove home grabbed the old chain put it on.

Scared as hell I throw the hammer down.1300 watts. No skip. No more issues.

older rings and cassette like orders chains

looks like it’s time for and expensive drivetrain upgrade.

$400 later, new chain and cassette arrived. As it turns out the chain should be fine but now I don't trust it. Plus this one is lighter, supposedly. By several grams at least.
Oli says:

Apr 5 2016 at 5:05 pm

@JohnB

Apologies, I missed that bit somehow. Great stuff.