Stocking up on 9 speed Shimano

[Llewellyn]

I have what I consider to be my dream custom steel frame and can see myself riding it for years to come. It's fitted with 9 speed Ultegra and I don't have any plans to change that either as I just don't need 10 or 11 speed or electronic shifting (I don't race). I also think it looks much nicer than the current Shimano offerings.

To make sure that I can keep running 9 speed as long as I can, I've taken to picking up some extra chains and cassettes, and a few spare bottom brackets (no Ultegra's available any more so bought 105) when I find good deals. Apart from the shifters I imagine that any other components could be replaced with something equivalent if/when they fail, or are durable enough that they usually last a very long time.

Is there anything else I should keep a few of in my parts box?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I have what I consider to be my dream custom steel frame and can see myself riding it for years to come. It's fitted with 9 speed Ultegra and I don't have any plans to change that either as I just don't need 10 or 11 speed or electronic shifting (I don't race). I also think it looks much nicer than the current Shimano offerings.

To make sure that I can keep running 9 speed as long as I can, I've taken to picking up some extra chains and cassettes, and a few spare bottom brackets (no Ultegra's available any more so bought 105) when I find good deals. Apart from the shifters I imagine that any other components could be replaced with something equivalent if/when they fail, or are durable enough that they usually last a very long time.

Is there anything else I should keep a few of in my parts box?

Is it really a Llewellyn frame? If you put Ultegra on that, you should be arrested.

 

[Llewellyn]

Is it really a Llewellyn frame? If you put Ultegra on that, you should be arrested.

Yes it's a Llewellyn frame. I already had Ultegra and couldn't afford and/or saw no need to put Campy on it.

I don't think Darrell cares what components you use as long as you ride the thing.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Yes it's a Llewellyn frame. I already had Ultegra and couldn't afford and/or saw no need to put Campy on it.

I don't think Darrell cares what components you use as long as you ride the thing.

I'm kidding you, mate. Congrats on a fantastic frame.

I remember Darrell had an absolutely incredible frame at the NAHBS show a couple years back. I emailed him about it. Just a stunning piece of art.

 

[Llewellyn]

Oops

Sorry Moose, put it down to newbie misinterpretation.

Yes, it's a beautiful piece of work. Not the same level of detail as the NAHBS one but still fantastic. Actually, it's only in the last few months since I've been doing hard rides with an ex-racing friend of mine that I feel as if I'm now getting the most out of the frame. It deserves to be put through it's paces.

10,000km on it so far and still plenty more left in it I think.

PS The NAHBS bike is for sale on his website

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Sorry Moose, put it down to newbie misinterpretation.

Yes, it's a beautiful piece of work. Not the same level of detail as the NAHBS one but still fantastic. Actually, it's only in the last few months since I've been doing hard rides with an ex-racing friend of mine that I feel as if I'm now getting the most out of the frame. It deserves to be put through it's paces.

10,000km on it so far and still plenty more left in it I think.

PS The NAHBS bike is for sale on his website

Oh ****, it's my size too! Comes to about $11,000 USD. Expensive, but very reasonable for a hand-made frame like that. It's a work of art.

 

[Llewellyn]

Oh ****, it's my size too! Comes to about $11,000 USD. Expensive, but very reasonable for a hand-made frame like that. It's a work of art.

That's my idea of a "halo" bike

You never know, he's had it a while - he might negotiate .

 

[42x16ss]

I have what I consider to be my dream custom steel frame and can see myself riding it for years to come. It's fitted with 9 speed Ultegra and I don't have any plans to change that either as I just don't need 10 or 11 speed or electronic shifting (I don't race). I also think it looks much nicer than the current Shimano offerings.

To make sure that I can keep running 9 speed as long as I can, I've taken to picking up some extra chains and cassettes, and a few spare bottom brackets (no Ultegra's available any more so bought 105) when I find good deals. Apart from the shifters I imagine that any other components could be replaced with something equivalent if/when they fail, or are durable enough that they usually last a very long time.

Is there anything else I should keep a few of in my parts box?

Congrats on the frame, you've chosen a great bike. May want to think about replacement chainrings. There are others that you can run but they will look a bit out of place compared to the Shimano ones.

 

[The Gnome]

I would grab a few of the sealed BB's if you can...BB6500 I think...you see em on ebay abit...I have two bikes with shimano 9 speed...think I got a few backup BB's for like 50 bucks new...good thing to have in arsenal...you don't want to have to buy the durace stuff...pain in the ****...

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I have what I consider to be my dream custom steel frame and can see myself riding it for years to come. It's fitted with 9 speed Ultegra and I don't have any plans to change that either as I just don't need 10 or 11 speed or electronic shifting (I don't race). I also think it looks much nicer than the current Shimano offerings.

To make sure that I can keep running 9 speed as long as I can, I've taken to picking up some extra chains and cassettes, and a few spare bottom brackets (no Ultegra's available any more so bought 105) when I find good deals. Apart from the shifters I imagine that any other components could be replaced with something equivalent if/when they fail, or are durable enough that they usually last a very long time.

Is there anything else I should keep a few of in my parts box?

Levers, particularly the RH one.

 

[kuoirad]

Levers, particularly the RH one.

I thought I'd read (Sheldon Brown?) that right shifters were one-back compatible with a slightly different cable routing. Or was that the derailleur?

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I thought I'd read (Sheldon Brown?) that right shifters were one-back compatible with a slightly different cable routing. Or was that the derailleur?

9s and 8s but you cannot get a 10s shimano RH lever to shift 9s spacing, regardless of the rear derailleur.

 

[Fatclimber]

If you're going to great lengths to stockpile, why not just upgrade to 10-speed? It's not like it's going to disappear anytime soon. Shimano and Sram haven't even released an 11 speed groupset yet. Really all you'd have to get is a right shifter, rear derailleur, cog, & chain. All that stuff wears out anyway. Instead of stockpile and replace, why not upgrade as you go with the stuff that's plentiful? Just my 2 cents.

 

[usedtobefast]

looking for a BB6500. anyone? they are hard to find.

 

[Llewellyn]

If you're going to great lengths to stockpile, why not just upgrade to 10-speed? It's not like it's going to disappear anytime soon. Shimano and Sram haven't even released an 11 speed groupset yet. Really all you'd have to get is a right shifter, rear derailleur, cog, & chain. All that stuff wears out anyway. Instead of stockpile and replace, why not upgrade as you go with the stuff that's plentiful? Just my 2 cents.

As I mentioned in my original post, I simply have no need for 10 speed (I don't race and 9 gears are quite enough for the riding I do). The other factor (rightly or wrongly) is that I think 10 speed Shimano looks fugly. I like the styling and polished aluminium look of 9 speed Ultegra and it fits in nicely with the overall look of my steel frame.

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Llewellyn]

Levers, particularly the RH one.

Hi Bustedknuckle

I've seen a place on Ebay that sells what looks like a lever and shifting mechanism as a complete unit (no hood parts or mounting assembly). Are these worth getting or is it best to just get the whole shifter? Could a shop mechanic fit this mechanism into a broken lever?

 

[The Gnome]

looking for a BB6500. anyone? they are hard to find.

what size do you need? I have a 68 brit 109...

 

[gregod]

I have what I consider to be my dream custom steel frame and can see myself riding it for years to come. It's fitted with 9 speed Ultegra and I don't have any plans to change that either as I just don't need 10 or 11 speed or electronic shifting (I don't race). I also think it looks much nicer than the current Shimano offerings.

To make sure that I can keep running 9 speed as long as I can, I've taken to picking up some extra chains and cassettes, and a few spare bottom brackets (no Ultegra's available any more so bought 105) when I find good deals. Apart from the shifters I imagine that any other components could be replaced with something equivalent if/when they fail, or are durable enough that they usually last a very long time.

Is there anything else I should keep a few of in my parts box?

i've got three pairs of used wheels that have shimano nine speed cassettes that i can't even give away on flea-bay.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

looking for a BB6500. anyone? they are hard to find.

No more 6500 Octalink but shimano still making 5500(105 level) BBs..Same with black spindle.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Hi Bustedknuckle

I've seen a place on Ebay that sells what looks like a lever and shifting mechanism as a complete unit (no hood parts or mounting assembly). Are these worth getting or is it best to just get the whole shifter? Could a shop mechanic fit this mechanism into a broken lever?

Probably but those assemblies are probably reworked older units and shimano doesn't make spare parts for shifter innards.

 

[Llewellyn]

Are Shimano phasing out the last of 9 speed Ultegra?

I was having a look at 9 speed Ultegra cassettes on Ribble's site yesterday and a couple of them, inclufding the 12 - 23 (my range of choice), are listed as "no longer available"

So does this mean that Shimano are phasing out the last of the 9 speed Ultegra parts or have they stopped making them already. Does anyone in the trade have any info?

 

[usedtobefast]

what size do you need? I have a 68 brit 109...

sorry i am late seeing this. i need bc1.37+24

109.5 and yes it is 68. PM me, as it sounds like the right one.
cheers

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I was having a look at 9 speed Ultegra cassettes on Ribble's site yesterday and a couple of them, inclufding the 12 - 23 (my range of choice), are listed as "no longer available"

So does this mean that Shimano are phasing out the last of the 9 speed Ultegra parts or have they stopped making them already. Does anyone in the trade have any info?

Ribble phased them out not shimano. Methinks they(Ribble) are being lazy. All the distributors I checked still have all the ranges of ultegra 9s cogsets..12-23, 12-25, 12-27, for instance. About $95.

MO does not the market make. A place local here tells customers that '36 hole rims are no longer made'..poppycock.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

A place local here tells customers that '36 hole rims are no longer made'..

Ha! Too funny!! When I was a shop wrench every time I heard some ridiculous story from a customer that someone at another shop told them, I'd simply call the shop and talk to the owner about their employees, or for cleaning up their repair mistakes.

 

[richwagmn]

Man, I have whole ultegra 9 speed kit (well except the DA cassette) sitting in my basement. I keep saying I'm going to pick up a frame and throw it on but it still hasn't happened.

Maybe I should ebay it.