Hi All Hoping to get some advice for future maintenance on my newly acquired 2007 Spez Tarmac. (Pic attached) The bike came with Dura-Ace Groupset all around, however only in 9 speed. Personally I am happy with the gearing range of the drivetrain, so no plans to go 10 or 11 speed any time soon if I can help it. My issue comes as I am trying to get a feel of the availability of replacement parts for a 9 speed drivetrain. It seems the online stores don't keep allot of 9 speed components in stock. Correct me where I might be wrong, this is how I see my options for the various parts currently. Chainrings: It is not too fussed about whether you run a 9 or 10 speed chain and cassette - Thus I can buy a 10 speed Chainring if either one of my current chainrings gives in, but that should last a while if I maintain and change the chain regularly. Chain: It needs to be same "speed" as the Casette - 9 and 10 speed chains are still fairly available, so replace regularly Rear derailer: Should be 9 or 10 speed compatible, operation dictated by whether the Shifter is 9 or 10 speed. - No need to replace this as it is compatible either way, should last for a very long time Bottom Bracket: I have no idea what the available/compatibility of this is. Brakepads: Sounds like a fairly inexpensive part, so replacements should be fine for a long time to come So from my deduction my problem child sits with the Casette Cassette: Seems to be less stock holding of these 9 speed casettes. The only real replacement option I found at this stage seems to be an Ultegra Casette on ChainReactionCycles. I am willing to go down to 105 levels, but they seem fairly rare - Option 1: Keep replacing cassettes with 9 speed Ultegra as and when needed until totally obsolete, then move over to 10 speed, which would require a change of at least the righthand Shifter to 10 speed. Aesthetically would have to replace left hand shifter as well. Option 2: Worthwhile then to stock up on 3 or 4 sets of the 9 speed Ultegra casettes while they are in stock? Don't be too hard on the Noob, I've been riding my 2006 Aluminium 26"Merida Hardtail MTB for the last 10 years, so I have no experience in this new venture of road bike equipment. (Starting up in Triathlons, thus the new acquisition. MTB will still be ridden for fun, in case there were some concerns)
