Mix and Match Cassette Top Gears

[Hacienda71]

I have just had to replace an old Shimano 8 speed cassette. The only option in the shop was 13 to 26 which in itself is fine but I wondered if it would be possible to substitute the top two loose gears for some other relatively new Shimano gears I have from a nearly new seven speed cassette (no more than 500 miles) 11 and 13 I think from memory. I didn't use the 11 that often but on downhills it was useful. Is there a maximum jump between gears tooth wise or is it best to just give it a go and hope for the best?

 

[Will1985]

It can work - I once tried putting an 11 tooth onto a Campag 9 speed 12-23 to give an overdrive gear on the downhills. It felt a bit weird when I shifted into it because the tooth profiling wasn't synchronised but worked well otherwise. Remember that a 2t jump at that end of the cassette is considerably bigger than one at the other end (in terms of gear inches or whatever).

However, someone more knowledgeable on Shimano 7 and 8 speed will have to confirm that you can mix and match these sprockets.

 

[cyberknight]

Assuming your indexing will take it i do not see why not.

My hybrid has a 8 speed freehub with a spacer and a 7 speed block as the shifters are 7 speed and after some fettling with H/L it works fine.

 

[Hacienda71]

Cheers guys, I have put them on and taken it for a quick ten miler and it seems fine. Now running 11,13,15 instead of 13,14,15