Replacing cassette

[Monsieur Remings]

Okay, I currently run an 11-28 SRAM cassette and want to know whether I can just change the ratios by buying another cassette eg 12-25...?

Would I also need to change the chain if I was to do this given that the cassette/chain combination have done around 2500 miles together? Or is this something that a lot of riders do in order that they change the gear ratios to suit different terrain?

I know it's not a great idea to change the chain and use an old cassette (one it's not worked with) but wonder if it works the other way around for casettes.

As always, thanks for any info.

 

[PpPete]

I'd buy a new chain anyway - but try new cassette/old chain first, if it all works then you have a spare chain all ready for a few thousand miles down the road.

 

[martint235]

I'd buy a new chain anyway - but try new cassette/old chain first, if it all works then you have a spare chain all ready for a few thousand miles down the road.

+1. But I would think that after 2500 miles you will need to change the chain. Worth giving the old chain a try first though if it's not too worn.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Okay, thanks. The chain to me seems fine, been regularly maintained and lubed and is never left dirty.

My question really relates to whether I could put on another cassette, and I didn't make this very clear, for, say, another set of wheels and have a different cassette for another set with the saem chain.

I'd like to keep my 11-28 on my Ksyrium Elites but have some new carbon 60mm and want a gear ratio, say 12-25 which is more suited to the flat. Can I use both with the same chain or is this asking for trouble?

 

[fossyant]

You can use the same chain - shouldn't have a problem with the 'smaller cassette'. If going bigger then you need to think about chain length.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Okay, thanks. The chain to me seems fine, been regularly maintained and lubed and is never left dirty.

My question really relates to whether I could put on another cassette, and I didn't make this very clear, for, say, another set of wheels and have a different cassette for another set with the saem chain.

I'd like to keep my 11-28 on my Ksyrium Elites but have some new carbon 60mm and want a gear ratio, say 12-25 which is more suited to the flat. Can I use both with the same chain or is this asking for trouble?

If the new wheel has a cassette that is within the range of the old one, then there is no issue, because in your case e.g. both the 12T and 25T "could" have been cogs within the old 11-28 cassette. Going the other way (i.e. new wheel/cassette having cogs that are smaller than the smallest and/or larger than the largest of old) is a different matter, and in general one might need to check in terms of rear mech wrap capacity, rear mech max cog size capacity and chain length.

 

[Smokin Joe]

At 2500 miles the chain owes you nothing and if it is worn (which it probably is) it will bugger the cassette. Even if it's still within limits it's on borrowed time, so I'd say it's a bit of a no brainer, get a new one.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Just buy a new chain.

You've got the money to have spare wheelsets and cassettes lying around, but aren't sure about a new chain?

Just buy a new chain (and one of these).

 

[wakou]

Just buy a new chain.

You've got the money to have spare wheelsets and cassettes lying around, but aren't sure about a new chain?

Just buy a new chain (and one of these).

Or if you have really short arms and long pockets, like myself, one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380396297041

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Just buy a new chain.

You've got the money to have spare wheelsets and cassettes lying around, but aren't sure about a new chain?

Just buy a new chain (and one of these).

Sure, have got the money for a new chain Jimmy but would like to use the existing 11-28 cassette again and would like to know, before buying a new 12-25 whether both cassettes are interchangeable with the same chain? I'd actually happily buy two chains and have one chain each for either cassette (the 12-25 on carbon wheelset and 11-28 existing left on the Ksyriums) BUT the SRAM 10-speed chain is a Powerlock not a Powerlink and is a right pain to take off so next question has to be....

i) can anyone recommend a decent, compatible and easy to remove 10-speed chain, a KMC perhaps?
ii) and given that I've made myself a little clearer in regard to using both cassettes on different wheelsets would you buy two chains?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

I was just writing from the "worn out", rather than "compatibility" standpoint.

Like RAFN wrote, if you have a chain that is suitable for the larger ranged cassette, then it will be good for the smaller one.

I couldn't recommend one chain over another.

It's easier to keep one chain when swapping wheelsets, but keeping tabs on mileage (and therefore replacement) is simpler with one chain per cassette: no real deal-breakers either way.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

If the new wheel has a cassette that is within the range of the old one, then there is no issue, because in your case e.g. both the 12T and 25T "could" have been cogs within the old 11-28 cassette. Going the other way (i.e. new wheel/cassette having cogs that are smaller than the smallest and/or larger than the largest of old) is a different matter, and in general one might need to check in terms of rear mech wrap capacity, rear mech max cog size capacity and chain length.

I understand you now, thanks, so hypothetically a 10-30 could be out of range but because I'm inside the 11-28 I should be okay, great. Just that some have said that having two cassettes working with the same chain is not ideal.

Soooooooooooooo...last question, bearing in mind this is carbon, do any of you use a Torque wrench to do up the cassette, or do you use a chain whip to torque it up (like I already do with the Alu) ???

 

[PpPete]

I usually find KMC "Missing links" easier than the SRAM ones.
Never bothered with a torque wrench .... but which bit is carbon that you are worried about ?

 

[Monsieur Remings]

I usually find KMC "Missing links" easier than the SRAM ones.
Never bothered with a torque wrench .... but which bit is carbon that you are worried about ?

Good point, these are the wheels and I guess the only bit the cassette attaches to isn't carbon.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPX60CCL/planet_x_60mm_carbon_clincher_wheelset

Still, have to be sure about these things. An y other takers, what would you use?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

and I quote "Both our new carbon clincher wheels are built on lightweight hubs with 6061 aluminium bodies and high-strength 7075 aluminium axles and freehub body. They turn on super-smooth Japanese-made sealed bearings - two in the front hub, and four in the rear, so they're durable and easy to rebuild."

Torque wrench if you've got one. If not make do.