Compatible doesn't mean Good

Recently, I was working on 2008 Trek Madone....Nice bike. There's technology in this frame that is something to write home about, but this post isn't about promoting the Trek Madone...Here's what it looks like...
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Anyway, before I get off on a tangent... It can with a Bontrager compact crankset, Dura Ace front and rear derailleur, SRAM 10spd chain...PC 1090 and SRAM OG 1070 cassette. I was installing a Dura Ace 7800 12-27t cassette for a lower gear range and Shimano R700 compact chainrings to improve front shifting. I was going to keep the 1090 chain because in the past when dealing with 9 speed chains, I found that there was only a slight difference between the Shimano and SRAM equivalent chains. Well, I was not at all happy with how the 1090 chain meshed or interfaced with the Dura Ace cassette. In fact it sounded more like a chainsaw than it did a top-end drivetrain. Not good. Don't get me wrong, it worked, but it didn't work nearly as well as the Shimano chain that I replaced it with. So, if your stuck in some small town, this side of East Podunk, and the local shop just happens to only have SRAM 10spd chains, it will work.... but it will sound like you're being chased by my Stihl...

Here's what the upgraded Bontrager crankset looks like...

Thanks for checking in! -John

Comments

[Jeff]

Forgot to tell you that it's shimano DURA-ACE!

[Jeff]

Hey, I've got shimano 10 speed set, but the front cranks are Bontrager. Sounds like the setup you described and btw the bike is a Klein but I bought it at a trek dealer. Anyway, I have had nothing but problems with the front crank shifting smooth and sometimes it doesn't even engage when I shift from large ring to small. I'm not sure what the chain is on it, but do you think new rings and chain would help? The dealer never would make it right, so I'm going to have to eat this one. Thanks and I love your site!