Chain / Chainring Compatibility

[someguy519]

Hey all! Thanks in advance for the help . . .

I've got a '96 Klein, with a fully-stock drivetrain. This includes STX-RC crank & rings, 8 speed chain & cassette. I replaced the chain with another 8-speed chain, but it skipped like a schoolgirl on the rear cassette. So, since I have to buy a new cassette anyhow, I figure I might as well upgrade to 9-speed. My question is: would my existing chainrings be compatible with a new 9-speed chain?

If it is not compatible, is it possible (or even desirable) to keep the crankarms and just replace the chainrings? The crankarms have the old 5-bolt pattern, and I suspect it may be difficult to find new rings to fit the old pattern. Even if I can find ones to fit, it may not make sense financially . . . But if I buy a new crankset, then I have to get a new bottom bracket since my existing is a square-taper.

Any insight would be helpful . . .

Thanks!
Nick

[jed]

if the cassette is so worn that a new chain skips, the rings are probably really worn too, so replace them. There are lots of options out there for rings that will fit your crank, e.g., Salsa, Race Face, etc. A crank is a crank is a crank, so just keep it, especially since it's old, or you'll be looking at a new BB too.

[Brizn]

Yea, rings aren't hard to find. Unless you have the cranks that I had on my 94 GT. The spider does not have female threads for the granny ring... Instead, the middle ring has threaded tabs and the granny attaches directly to IT. So this particular middle ring is probably obsolete...or at best hard as hell to find.

[someguy519]

Yea, rings aren't hard to find. Unless you have the cranks that I had on my 94 GT. The spider does not have female threads for the granny ring... Instead, the middle ring has threaded tabs and the granny attaches directly to IT. So this particular middle ring is probably obsolete...or at best hard as hell to find.

Yep, those are the rings I've got, if I remember correctly.

How do the modern ones interconnect?

[RetroG]

Another option would be to put on a new 8-speed cassette and be done with it!
It depends on the condition of the chainrings. If you want new chainrings, check here: http://www.universalcycles.com/

[Brizn]

Yep, those are the rings I've got, if I remember correctly.

How do the modern ones interconnect?The spiders nowadays have outter threaded tabs to which you mount the big and middle rings.....then there are female thread bosses in the center for the granny..