Compatibility – which parts can be interchanged with which.
Updated: 01/04/2021. This post will explain bottom bracket compatibility. Which bottom brackets (BBs) can be combined with which crankset standards. Before you start, to avoid any misunderstanding:please take the 5 minutes needed to read the compatibility articles use instructions. Posts that explain in detail the history and construction of each BB standard can be found … Read more
Updated: 01/04/2021. This post addresses bicycle crankset compatibility in terms of mixing various speed cranksets with other components. For example: an 8 speed crankset on a bicycle with 10 rear sprockets and a 10 speed chain (a), or a triple chainring with a front derailleur (FD) constructed for double chainrings (b). It will also address … Read more
Updated: 01/04/2021. This post will explain mechanical bicycle brake compatibility (i.e. brakes with cable actuation, not hydraulic) of both calipers and levers. Hydraulic brakes will be explained in a separate article. For explanation of terms like amount of lever cable pull and mechanical advantage, look at this article: Mechanical brakes – working principle. Before you start, to … Read more
Updated: 25/05/2021. Rear shifters are of course used to shift gears at the back – that is to control the rear derailleur (RD in the future) which then moves the chain from one rear sprocket to the other. In this post first, there will be a short explanation of the difference between friction and indexed … Read more
Updated: 01/04/2021. This post explains bicycle front shifter compatibility, i.e. which shifters can be mixed with which front derailleurs, chains and chainrings. Before you start, to avoid any misunderstanding:please take the 5 minutes needed to read the compatibility articles use instructions. Front shifter lever is used to control the front derailleur, that is to change … Read more
Updated: 01/04/2021. This post explains bicycle front derailleur compatibility of various makes and models. For a detailed explanation of front derailleur (FD in the rest of this post) mounting systems, cable routing and capacity, read this article: Front derailleur. Before you start, to avoid any misunderstanding:please take the 5 minutes needed to read the compatibility articles … Read more
Updated: 09/05/2021. This post explains bicycle rear derailleur compatibility, i.e. what derailleurs can work with which number of rear sprockets (cassettes) and which rear shifters. For explanation of other rear derailleur functioning and limitations, such as chain wrap capacity, read this article: Rear derailleur. Before you start, to avoid any misunderstanding:please take the 5 minutes needed … Read more
Updated: 01/04/2021. Note: this article explains compatibility in terms of rear sprocket mounting and proper gear shifting. For other important facts about rear hubs, read the following articles:Rear hubFreewheel vs Freehub Before you start, to avoid any misunderstanding:please take the 5 minutes needed to read the compatibility articles use instructions. Compatibility categories will be sorted by number of … Read more
Updated: 01/04/2021. This post will explain bicycle cassette compatibility i.e. what cassettes can be mixed with which rear shifters/derailleurs. For compatibility with various chains, see: Chain compatibility post. Overview of compatibility and possible combinations will be given according to the number of sprockets. From the old 6 sprocket standard to the newest 12 sprocket one. There are … Read more
Updated: 14/06/2021. This post explains bicycle chains compatibility – which chains can be combined with which number of “speeds”. Firstly, basic facts about the chain will be explained. Then compatibility and possible mixing will be given per the number of speeds a chain is designed for. From one to 12 speeds.Before you start, to avoid … Read more
Updated: 01/04/2021. This is the first in a series of compatibility posts, explaining: combining various different bicycle parts – what can be combined with what so that it works fine. There are various standards for bicycle parts. 6, 10, or 11 sprockets at the back, road, MTB shifters etc. There are also different manufacturers’ standards. When … Read more
