Running 9 speed on an old ciocc

I have finally got my hands on my ciocc. Its currently got some simplex friction levers and a Triomphe rear mech. Its come with tubs and I want to run clinchers so am going to change over to some 9 speed tiagra, which I have spare. Also this is my commuter bike so its got to be reasonably robust.

I have two questions;

1. Am I correct that the derailleur will not allow the full use of the nine speed? If so can I run 7 speeds on the derailleur?

2. If the above cant be done and given that most of the rest of the bike is chorus, what mech can I get that will let me run the bigger cassette?

I am also assuming that with friction shifting, the difference cassette manufacturer is not an issue.

Oh yeah and be gentle, as yiou can tell I have no idea what I am doing.

thanks

1. a new clincher wheel with 9 speed freehub will be 130mm, your rear drop outs are presently 126mm, a bit of springing will be required to get the new wheel in

2. dunno, give it a try, backing the hi and lo stops all the way out might let you use 8, or even all 9 gears

3. if friction, a newer RD can be made to play with friction shifters, but you need the levers tighter on their mounts. with ergo shifters a ratchet holds the cable tension

What 9 speed tiagra parts are you putting on? You're right that the indexing isn't an issue if you're just friction shifting, however if you're keeping the rest of the original Simplex 7 speed setup you might have issues with the 7 speed chain running on the narrower 9 speed cassette.

friction shifters can handle anything. now for the speeds: is the rear 126mm? if so, you can go up to 7speeds as that was the highest number of speeds used for that rear spacing (afaik.. what was the 8speed screw-on c-record designed for?)

the derailleur should be something that was designed for systems with 126mm rear spacing eg. 6 or 7speed groupsets.

and narrower chain, nice one tdm

seems like i completely misunderstood. is tiagra 9sp for sure? are you cold setting the frame? or is it 130mm on the rear already?

sorry I should have been clearer.

Current set-up is 5/6 speed on campag record hubs and tubs - spacing 126mm. No chain came with the bike.

The bike is going to be a commuter and I have some 130mm wheels with a tiagra 9 hub on it and a spare 9 speed chain. The guy I am buying it from fitted his spesh wheels (130mm and 9 speed) and the wheel seemed to fit. However he did not try it with a chain or in the rear mech.

I collected the bike this afternoon, and am going to try and fit the wheels (that is the easy bit) as it fitting the chain. What I am hoping someone can tell if is if I can get away with using the current derailleur and simplex shifters. Everything is friction.