rant: Shimano 9sp obsolete?

[max_powers]

What's the deal? try to find a 9spd chain, Nashbar has none, Parent Performance has one, same price as 10sp. the SRAM one costs more.

Oh, everyone is using 10sp u say? gotta be a huge installed base of 9sp bikes out there, and my stuff works fine against others in the pack. In fact I pride myself on smoking others w/ bikes that cost 3x as much. Shimano appears to not want to support the users. ugh.

Any insider knowledge of this situation welcome.

[SoCalSteve]

Try ebay, I think you will have great success for asll things 9 speed Shimano (both new and used).

Good luck,

Steve

[CNY rider]

I'm going to guess that's just a temporary supply problem. Lots of folks still with 9 speed on their road bikes not to mention cross bikes.

Perf/Nashbar have had that stuff on sale lately; they probably sold out and aren't rushing to get more.

Did you try Colorado Cyclist or Lickton's? I just recently got an SRAM 9 speed from Peter White and he didn't say anything about limited supplies FWIW.

[cpg]

Bike shops can readily get it from their wholesalers. 9 speed chains aren't difficult to find. Don't bother with Shimano chains. They suck atmo. Sram is better and readily available. Don't fret.

Curt

[fiamme red]

I just won an Ultegra 6503 triple crank for $50 on eBay, to go on my touring bike. This will be the first time I use Octalink. Too bad it's now obsolete.

[rdparadise]

I found both 8 and 9 speed chains at Nasbar a couple of months back when I needed them in the fall. I believe this is a temporary issue that will correct itself shortly. There are far too many users of the 9 speed stuff to eliminate covering their needs in the bike business.

Bob

[max_powers]

yes, good ol ebay, cassettes there also

[JF636]

I'm going through the same thing with my 9 sp Chorus. It is the "old" version, so when I do upgrade it will entail a new rear der. I bought the ten speed ratchet (saves buying new shifters) and a got a deal on a Chorus square taper ct carbon crank ($270)...but blew the rest of the upgrade budget on a fixed gear track bike. Money better spent IMHO.

All that said, I will be going the way of ten speed as soon as consumables wear. Not by a real need, but more of keeping current and it won't cost me any more to support either one nowadays.

I had no trouble finding 9 sp chains BTW, the local REI out of all places had quite a few (Sram) in stock from $20 - $40. The not-so-high end places and "family oriented " bike shops may be a good place to look too.

[Steelhead]

What's the deal? try to find a 9spd chain, Nashbar has none, Parent Performance has one, same price as 10sp. the SRAM one costs more.

Another great reason to go right on down to your LOCAL bike shop and get one. :)

[eddief]

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=CH4091

these work fine for me.

[FierteTi52]

Sram 951 or 971, way better and includes a removable master link.
Jeff

[Dave]

Declaring a problem after looking at two weak online sources? There are dozens more just waiting to sell you a chain.

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Chain+HG%2D93&vendorCode=SHIM&major=1&minor=11

[TimD]

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='0294-00'

[93legendti]

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14458&subcategory_ID=5134

[pdxmech13]

we still sell chains for 5 spd bikes

[stevep]

plenty of those chains out there.
the 10 spd one will work also.

[Kevan]

is SRAM has discontinued the 89r. That was a terrific chain.

[Serotta PETE]

Peter White has plenty of 9 speed "stuff" :bike: he is in NH

[dirtdigger88]

I hope not-

I just converted one bike from 10 to 9-

and I have a NOS 8 speed group waiting for Archie or RS to build me a bike- who ever gets to it first

Jason

[vaxn8r]

Bike shops can readily get it from their wholesalers. 9 speed chains aren't difficult to find. Don't bother with Shimano chains. They suck atmo. Sram is better and readily available. Don't fret.

Curt
+1

SRAM will work just as well. Plenty of 9 speed stuff. Also, you might try an actual brick and mortar bike shop.

[Marcusaurelius]

I would try excel sports. I don't think I'm going to convert to 10 speed parts anytime soon. I don't see much point to it really.

[avalonracing]

Try ebay, I think you will have great success for asll things 9 speed Shimano (both new and used).

Good luck,

Steve

Nothin' like a nice, used chain :)

+1 on the Sram PC-89R, that is a great chain.

[pdxmech13]

shimano w/ shimano
campy w/campy
s/s

[sg8357]

9 speed is still the standard for mountain bikes, so 9 speed ain't going away.
Down hill bikes are 8 speed, 9 speed is too wimpy.

When your Shimano 9 speed DA finally dies, you can use Chorus back fitted with 9 speed cams.

Scott "Ultra 6" G.

[shanerpvt]

9 speed shamano chain's - look under mt. bike chain catagory.

XTR = Dura Ace
XT = Ultegra

you can find them at any lbs - very easy to find.

[bob1992]

I agree with previous reply. A month ago I bought a Dura Ace chain and Ultegra cassette from my LBS (King's in Seal Beach, CA), the owner assured me he has no problem getting chains, cassettes and chainrings for 9-speed drivetrains. He was a little pricey (~$100 for both), but it was convenient and I like to support their shop.