compatibility

A reader asks about possible fork damage after a close encounter of the low clearance kind.

Can I use Campy 10-speed shifters with 11-speed derailleurs?

Can I use a Campy 9-speed rear derailleur with a 10-speed drivetrain?

Can I use a Shimano 7900 chain with a 7800 rear derailleur?

Can I use a Dura-Ace 7900 crank with a 9-speed drivetrain?

Can I mix SRAM XX parts with SRAM road parts?

Are Shimano road and MTB external bottom brackets interchangeable?

Are Ultegra 6700 parts compatible with Ultegra 6600?

Are Shimano external bottom brackets interchangeable?

Should I rebuild my Campy 8-speed shifter, or switch to 10-speed?

Can I combine SRAM mountain and road components to produce hillclimb gearing?

Can I put a 105 compact crank on my Dura-Ace bike?

Do vintage Campy rear derailleurs have non-standard mounting bolt threads?

Can I use a Campy 11-speed shifter with a 10-speed cassette?

Questions about inspecting carbon forks for safety, trying Wippermann chains with Campy 10-speed systems and using Shimano MTB derailleurs with 10-speed road systems. What to do? I'm low on funds and that's the main reason I haven't replaced them as yet. I will add there are no stress fractures or noticeable wear.

Dear Lennard, Question for you re: forks for long head tubes. I'm 6'4" and have a Seven Axiom with a roughly 30cm head tube and a Seven rebadged Reynolds carbon fork on it. It is a bit flexy when braking while cornering and I'd like to improve that. What options are out there and how do they rate vs. each other? I know Alpha Q makes one with a steerer long enough (as seen on your bike) as does Storck, but want to understand if they are better than the Reynolds vis a vis flex/rigidity. Ted Dear Ted,

Questions on mix-and-match components, fraying cables, carbon comfort, compact cranks and more.

Dear Lennard Zinn;My question has to do with Campy Record 10-speed rear derailleur and cog compatibility. My current setup has 53x39 chainrings, a 12x25 cogset with a short (standard) cage rear derailleur, and I recently switched to a Wipperman 10-speed chain. For mountain riding, I would like to substitute a cogset with a larger inside cog - say, 26 to 29 teeth - rather than switching to a triple chainring setup. How high can I go before I have to use a medium or long cage derailleur? Also, for cost considerations, is there any problem using a Chorus 10-speed cogset if the rest of the

VeloNews technical writer Lennard Zinn is a frame builder, aformer U.S. national team rider and author of several books on bikes andbike maintenance. Zinn's VeloNews.com column is devoted to addressing readers'technical questions about bikes, their care and feeding and how we as riderscan use them as comfortably and efficiently as possible. Readers can send brief technical questions directly to Zinn. Zinn’s column appears each Tuesday on VeloNews.com.Question:I've been thinking about putting a 650mm wheel on the front of my bike.Will it help with acceleration as well as by dropping the front

VeloNews technical writer Lennard Zinn is a frame builder, a formerU.S. national team rider and author of several books on bikes and bikemaintenance. Zinn's VeloNews.com column is devoted to addressing readers'technical questions about bikes, their care and feeding and how we as riderscan use them as comfortably and efficiently as possible. Readers can sendbrief technical questions directly toZinn. Zinn’s column appears regularly on VeloNews.com.Question:It would seem like the ultimate night riding light would be an L.E.D.light for light weight and efficiency. Has there been anyone working