Shimano IG / HG?

[keen]

 Whats the deal w/ Shimano IG or HG? I looked on Shimano's website and it gave a sorta confusing answer to chain & chainring compatibility. I want to run a Shimano IG crank chain ring w/ my Sram 8spd. chain/ drivetrain if possible. Thanx

[Simon]

I do recall a long time ago reading about this,I think it was to do with shifting performance,HG shifted better in one direction eg up the cassette (small to large),IG shifted better in both directions,up and down the cassette,this was due to there relevent shapes machined and pressed into the sprokets and chain,hopefully I'm not talking complete boll-x   but what I can say I'm running an 8 speed XT HG cassette with an IG 8 speed chain (just had a good deal on it),shifting is perfect,so I would think that a Sram 8 spd chain would be fine on an IG crankset,Simon.

[tmaybee]

Whats the deal w/ Shimano IG or HG?

I was wondering this myself  and posted a message on mtbr <everything drivetrain> about it.  Here is the response:

http://bike.shimano.com/services/faq.asp#7

Chain width:
HyperGlide = 7.4mm
InterGlide = 7.1mm

IG chains will work on HG cogs but HG chain won't work on an IG cogs. IG cogs only work with IG chains. HG cogs are compatable with both chains. Chances are good that an IG chain is what you want.

SRAM chains are also 7.1mm and work great all around

Cheers,
Trevor  [smiley=beer.gif]