6500 compatibility

[Dired]

My buddy has an older trek with ultegra 6500 9 speed components, short cage Rd and very small rear cassette, I think it's about a 23 or 25. What's the most cost-effective way to get him into some climbing friendly territory? Thanks!

[slambers3]

My buddy has an older trek with ultegra 6500 9 speed components, short cage Rd and very small rear cassette, I think it's about a 23 or 25. What's the most cost-effective way to get him into some climbing friendly territory? Thanks!

9s shimano MTB long cage derailleur is compatible and will drastically increase cassette range. You’ll need a longer chain obviously.

[Dired]

9s shimano MTB Long cage derailleur is compatible and will drastically increase cassette range. You’ll need a new chain tooThank you!
Anyone have the above-mentioned parts laying around? [emoji851]

[Dired]

Is there a triple crankset option that will work to the same effect as well?

[jtbadge]

Is there a triple crankset option that will work to the same effect as well?

Yeah, but you'll need a new left shifter also, and that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

EDIT: this was corrected below. Would still need a new FD for triple indexing.

[Dired]

Yeah, but you'll need a new left shifter also, and that's a whole 'nother can of worms.Right... Realized that as I hit post.

[weisan]

i believe the ultegra 9s shifter is kinda unique in that it is already "triple-enabled" - meaning, it can handle a triple crankset, so no change required if that's the route you want you go. But yes, the most economical way is to get a Shimano XT M760 deraileur, a new chain and obviously the big pie cassette (Shimano XT CS-M770 cassette + CN-HG93 chain set) - that's how several of my bikes are currently configured at the moment.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EDvX7HgAL._AC_SL1024_.jpg

https://www.bike-components.de/cache/p/xl1/5/2/Shimano-XT-CS-M770-Cassette-CN-HG93-9-speed-Chain-Set-silver-11-34-52642-251922-1550731504.jpeg

[Dired]

i believe the ultegra 9s shifter is kinda unique in that it is already "triple-enabled" - meaning, it can handle a triple crankset, so no change required if that's the route you want you go. But yes, the most economical way is to get a Shimano XT M760 deraileur, a new chain and obviously the big pie cassette (Shimano XT CS-M770 cassette + CN-HG93 chain set) - that's how several of my bikes are currently configured at the moment.



https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EDvX7HgAL._AC_SL1024_.jpg



https://www.bike-components.de/cache/p/xl1/5/2/Shimano-XT-CS-M770-Cassette-CN-HG93-9-speed-Chain-Set-silver-11-34-52642-251922-1550731504.jpegThank you so much!

[zzy]

Yeah, but you'll need a new left shifter also, and that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

IIRC most 9sp STIs were triple by default - if it has two 'clicks' it can be made to work with a triple and Shimano didn't start specifying double/triple left STIs till 10 speed. I could be wrong but that was my experience when I was wrenching back then.

[weisan]

you are welcome...I missed one thing. If you go triple, the shifter itself will work but you may need a new front deraileur (Shimano 105 front derailluer FD 5504 Triple 9 speed) that is spec'ed for triple.

[GregL]

IIRC most 9sp STIs were triple by default - if it has two 'clicks' it can be made to work with a triple and Shimano didn't start specifying double/triple left STIs till 10 speed. I could be wrong but that was my experience when I was wrenching back then.Ultegra 6500 and 105 5500 STI levers worked with both double and triple front derailleurs. Dura Ace 7700 STI was double only. Shimano later came out with Dura Ace 7703 STI levers which were triple front derailleur compatible. I am not knowledgeable about Tiagra and lower Shimano 9-speed STI levers.

Greg

[zzy]

Ultegra 6500 and 105 5500 STI levers worked with both double and triple front derailleurs. Dura Ace 7700 STI was double only. Shimano later came out with Dura Ace 7703 STI levers which were triple front derailleur compatible. I am not knowledgeable about Tiagra and lower Shimano 9-speed STI levers.

Greg

Sounds right. 5500/6500 and 6510/5510 were all triple compatible IIRC

[Ken Robb]

There are 9 speed Ultegra triple cranks. I swapped a TA Zephyr Triple crank with 48-38-28 rings to get lower gears but that was pretty expensive. OTO Sugino has some lovely triples with 46-48, 36, 24-26 rings. Both of these cranks are 110mm bolt pattern so the accept a BIG assortment of ring sizes.