Can I use an 11-36 cassette with 22-32-42 (or 44) triple chain rings? I’m concerned that even a long cage rear mech won’t be able to take up enough chain for that range (specs say 43t range, but that combo is 45t). Is the 11-36 intended only for use with a double ring chainset?

I was going to run the 11-36 with a 28/40 double chainset on 26″ bike, but I’m worried it won’t go high enough, as I’m used to 11t with 44 chain ring. Instead, I’m thinking of building a 29er (guess bigger wheels mean higher gearing, all else staying equal?), and wanted to use the 11-36 cassette with a triple chainset to get the widest range.

If I have a 36t on the cassette, I won’t need to go as low as 22 on the chainrings, so I could swap that for 24/26, if they are available that size?

Also, while we’re on the subject of chainsets, are 9 and 10 speed shimano chainsets compatible/interchangeable? Printed on my 10 speed chainset is “HG-X chain only”, but the teeth themselves look very close to 9 speed chainrings, and the spacing between rings looks the same.

And why do shimano 9 speed chainsets normally have a 44t big ring, and 10 speed triples seem to be 42t?