9spd. chain with an 11spd crank

[merckx]

Will a Campy 9 speed chain work/shift nicely with a Campy 11 speed crankset?

[AngryScientist]

yes, i do it all the time and it's fine.

in fact, here is my bike running all 9sp running gear with a 12 speed crank, and even that works perfectly fine.

[kohagen]

I’m using a 12 speed 48/32 Chorus crank with both 10 and 11 speed drivetrains. Works great. You might have a problem if you tried the reverse combo - a 12 speed chain with a nine speed crank.

[merckx]

This is cool. Thanks.

[cetuximab]

I used to have an eight crank with 10 speed chain, rear derailleur, cassette, shifters. Crossing a road on my way home from work it would jam between the chainrings if I shifted under load. I stopped shifting the front derailleur crossing that road for several years. I eventually converted to 1x10. I had a couple scary crossings.

[Davist]

Originally Posted by cetuximab

I used to have an eight crank with 10 speed chain, rear derailleur, cassette, shifters. Crossing a road on my way home from work it would jam between the chainrings if I shifted under load. I stopped shifting the front derailleur crossing that road for several years. I eventually converted to 1x10. I had a couple scary crossings.

yes, you can use "wider" (ie lower speed count) chains on "narrow" (ie higher) chainrings, so 9 speed chain on 12 speed works, 12 speed chain on 9 speed chainrings doesn't.

I found out on a track bike way back when that 1/8" chainring doesn't like 3/32" chain with probably equally scary results.. luckily teenagers bounce quite nicely