If there's nothing wrong with the 3 x 10, and you don't mind it over the 9 speed, then yeah of course I'd do that (and assuming it's compatible). Worst case you wasted an hour putting it on and need to replace it. Best case you save yourself a few hundred dollars that you can allocate elsewhere.
Re-using a 3x10 drive-train
I recently had my 2013 Trek Superfly mtb converted from a 3x10 to a 1x 11. I still have the old drivetrain and it is in good shape. It is a mixture of Shimano Deore, SLX, and XT parts. The wasn’t a lot of miles on the 10 speed chain either.
I have an 2010 Cannondale Trail 2 with a 3 x 9 Shimano Acera/Devore that I use for gravel/paved surfaces. The Cannondale’s chain and cassette are due for replacement from normal wear. Is is worth swapping the entire drive train out with the better spec 3 x 10 rather than getting a new 9 speed cassette and chain?
I have an 2010 Cannondale Trail 2 with a 3 x 9 Shimano Acera/Devore that I use for gravel/paved surfaces. The Cannondale’s chain and cassette are due for replacement from normal wear. Is is worth swapping the entire drive train out with the better spec 3 x 10 rather than getting a new 9 speed cassette and chain?
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As long as the BBs are compatible then it ought to be an easy swap. Definitely worth it, $$$ saved and upgrade!
Bottom bracket will probably be a problem. I'd bet the older bike is probably a threaded octalink BB for 3 piece cranks. The Trek is probably press-fit for hollowtech II (ht2) 2-piece cranks. If so, the bottom brackets can't be swapped from bike to bike, and the XT cranks won't work with the octalink BB. Probably would need a new bottom bracket that would maintain the same chainline and distance between the frame and the chainrings.
The front derailleur would need to be the same mount type/size to swap. Check that too.
Second option is to use the existing 3X9 crank and front derailleur, with the 10 speed chain, 10 speed rear derailleur, 10 speed cassette, and 10 speed shifters. You can use either 9 speed or 10 speed chainrings, they will both work.
The last option would be to use just the chain. As long as it has enough links, you can use that 10 speed chain with the 3X9 system no matter what else you decide to do. The 10 speed chain is compatible with 9 speed. Might need slight front derailleur adjustment to be perfect.
The front derailleur would need to be the same mount type/size to swap. Check that too.
Second option is to use the existing 3X9 crank and front derailleur, with the 10 speed chain, 10 speed rear derailleur, 10 speed cassette, and 10 speed shifters. You can use either 9 speed or 10 speed chainrings, they will both work.
The last option would be to use just the chain. As long as it has enough links, you can use that 10 speed chain with the 3X9 system no matter what else you decide to do. The 10 speed chain is compatible with 9 speed. Might need slight front derailleur adjustment to be perfect.
Mostly this, but there's no reason to change out the front shifter either.Second option is to use the existing 3X9 crank and front derailleur, with the 10 speed chain, 10 speed rear derailleur, 10 speed cassette, and 10 speed shifters. You can use either 9 speed or 10 speed chainrings, they will both work.
Thanks for the insight on the BB. It is an Octalink crankset. As it turns out the Cannondale’s lower spec Shimano Alivio front derailleur has been less quirky than the SLX that came off the Trek. That was one of the contributing factors to the 1x conversion on the Trek. I have a lot of miles on the Cannondale original cassette. The shifting is balky and will sometimes skip under power even though I’ve stayed on top of chain replacements.Bottom bracket will probably be a problem. I'd bet the older bike is probably a threaded octalink BB for 3 piece cranks. The Trek is probably press-fit for hollowtech II (ht2) 2-piece cranks. If so, the bottom brackets can't be swapped from bike to bike, and the XT cranks won't work with the octalink BB. Probably would need a new bottom bracket that would maintain the same chainline and distance between the frame and the chainrings.
The front derailleur would need to be the same mount type/size to swap. Check that too.
Second option is to use the existing 3X9 crank and front derailleur, with the 10 speed chain, 10 speed rear derailleur, 10 speed cassette, and 10 speed shifters. You can use either 9 speed or 10 speed chainrings, they will both work.
The last option would be to use just the chain. As long as it has enough links, you can use that 10 speed chain with the 3X9 system no matter what else you decide to do. The 10 speed chain is compatible with 9 speed. Might need slight front derailleur adjustment to be perfect.
Yea, then like SlapHead said, you can stick with Alivio for the front derailleur, and you will be good to go with SLX in the rear.Thanks for the insight on the BB. It is an Octalink crankset. As it turns out the Cannondale’s lower spec Shimano Alivio front derailleur has been less quirky than the SLX that came off the Trek. That was one of the contributing factors to the 1x conversion on the Trek. I have a lot of miles on the Cannondale original cassette. The shifting is balky and will sometimes skip under power even though I’ve stayed on top of chain replacements.
Skipping under power without any gear shifts usually means the cassette is toast. Cassette, rear derailleur, rear shifter, and chain from the Trek should solve that.
Make sure to re-measure the chain length. the 29'er Trek probably has a longer rear chainstay length than the 26'er Cannondale. The chain may be too long. Measure twice, cut once....
I'm way too drunk to intelligently contribute to the discussion, but wanted to commend the OP for writing "converted" instead of "upgraded". I hate 3X, but even so, I don't think 1X should be called an upgrade.I recently had my 2013 Trek Superfly mtb converted from a 3x10 to a 1x 11.
nothing wrong with 10 speed, both of mine are 1x10 with 11/36 rears. Not the latest and greatest, gets the job done well.
I'd run it as is if it didn't see dirt. Maybe gently dress up any burrs on the chainring teeth.
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