Both SRAM and Shimano have introduced 10 speed cassette mountain bike drive chains to the market; SRAM with their XX (2×10) groupset and Shimano with their Dyna-Sys (3x10) groupset. Both companies claim the new technology will improve the riding experience. While Shimano is offering more gears to improve efficiency and sticking with 3 front cogs, SRAM “believes a full gear range can be achieved with fewer gears … resulting in a lighter, faster, and more responsive bike”.
Benefits of a 10 Speed Cassette
An obvious benefit from adding a cog at the back via a 10 speed cassette is the potential to drop a chainring at the front, as SRAM have done with their 2x10 set-up, and thereby save weight. While you actually have fewer gears than with a 9 speed traditional set-up, this is compensated for by having additional gearing in the rear cassette and gear ratios that are closer together.
This means smoother gear changing and improved power transfer and, with less stress on the chain and cogs caused by clunky gear shifting, the potential for parts to last longer. Even when they do need replacing, two front chainrings are cheaper to replace then three.
SRAM 10 Speed Groupset
SRAM offer their top of the range XX 10 speed groupset with a 2×10 gear set up. The drive train is clearly targeted at the XC racing market. SRAM claims that its 2x10 groupset delivers “a full range of usable gears, less weight, and easier and smoother shifting in all terrains;” something which riders of all levels want to experience and “not just cross country pros.”
SRAM’s system has a 42/28 front chainring with a 3 to 2 ratio between the rings which they claim gives 14 perfectly timed shift locations over a lesser number in a 9 speed set-up, many of which they describe as “compromised.”
Shimano Dyna-Sys 10 Speed Groupset
The Shimano Dyna-Sys range offers a 3x10 groupset in DEORE XT, SLX, and a non-series crankset. Current Shimano 9 speed drivetrains have a normal set up of 44-32-22 teeth chainrings combined with 9 speed cassette sprockets. The Dyna-Sys groupset has 42-32-24 teeth chain rings combined with 10-speed cassette sprockets. Shimano suggests that the closer ratio front drivetrain with wider range cassette sprockets results in increased riding efficiency as “the wider range of a 10-speed cassette means riders can spend more time in the 32T middle chain ring”.
The closer ratios mean that gear changes will be smoother and faster with less need to make recovery shifts when dropping into the smallest chainring. Shifting to the largest chainring will also be smoother and so more riders will make full use of all the gears. In addition the smaller jumps between gears means there is less chance of losing a chain when the track gets rocky.
Possible Downside of 10 Speed Cassettes
Talk to a craggy old mountain biker used to riding in wet, muddy conditions and he might suggest that the closer ratios of 10 speed cassettes actually have a potential downside. Closer gear ratios, with narrower gaps between chainrings and cogs, plus the thinner chain that is required with the new 10 speed groupsets, all provide the potential for greater clogging with mud and dirt; and that can result in mis-shifts and component damage. Time will tell who is right.
Will 10 Speed Mountain Bikes Give a More Efficient Ride?
Race results in 2010 would certainly suggest, however, that the new 10 speed cassette has certain speed and riding efficiency benefits with SRAM XX components frequently appearing on the podium. While the 10 speed thing might not catch on with all mountain bikers, XC and Marathon racers will certainly want to have a look.
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- Cheap Bike Parts Online for Mountain Bikes
Helen Smeaton - Helen Smeaton runs a cycling and hiking business and is also a freelance writer and web designer. Read her profile for more information
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