Renewing cassettes.

[Terry]

When replacing your cassette Iis it worth paying more for an XT or is the SLX a better buy?

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

What do you currently have that you're considering to make a change?

The XT has the last five cogs in an alloy carrier... the SLX, the last three. The difference in price is only about 20 bucks and I doubt there would be any discernible difference in shifting (if any). Although in theory any large cog riveted to the alloy carriage should be stiffer (truer under load). There's a few grams savings too... but negligible on a heavy eBike.

It's not a huge price difference so get the XT if only for the joy of it.

But personally I would stick to an SLX cassette if my bike has an SLX derailleur. I like my mech all matching (SLX trigger included). If I changed to an XT cassette, I'll be irritated until I've changed the rest accordingly. It's an OCD thing...

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

I swapped my original Sram 12spd NX cassette for a 11spd GX and it was actually a step back in terms of performance and durability. It seems the lower-priced cassettes (NX)are generally all-steel whereas the mid (GX) and high range (XO1 XX1) is a mix of steel and alloy to save weight. The cheaper options also seem to have taller and square teeth which may not shift as smooth but for an ebike, they offer durability and have less chance of slipping. I went to a 11spd NX and the bike is much happier

I realize I'm comparing Sram to Shimano but I assume the principle is the same.

 

[Rusty]

I look at whatever is reasonably decent and has steel sprockets. Not so bad on the rear as you are moving through the gears but I have seen some alloy clusters chewed up real fast - even on conventional bikes when the rider is heavier and/or rides aggressively.
On an ebike the difference in weight is not an issue. They do often not shift quite as smoothly some claim but others claim after a few kms there is little or no difference in shifting performance.
The main thing is to avoid the cheap no-name Chinese brands unless you are happy to replace every time you replace your chain.

 

[Crawford919]

My Giant Trance E and Specialized Levo both this week went from shifting and pedaling perfectly to missing shifts and then slipping badly in the smaller gears on the cassette. The Trance has Shimano and the Levo Sram. Both have roughly 1000 miles. I ordered a cheap 11/46 and 11/42 all steel cassette and a good chain for each. The front sprockets have very little wear but the teeth on the cassette is trashed on both bikes. We put 1000 miles on the Giant in 3 months. I would hate to spend the money to replace these chains and sprockets on these bikes with expensive SRAM/Shimano parts just to see them wear out like cheap stuff so I’m going to try something different. I’m also going to put a bigger front sprocket on the Giant so it will keep the chain in the middle range of the cassette more often. I’ll keep you all posted on the results.

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

My Giant Trance E and Specialized Levo both this week went from shifting and pedaling perfectly to missing shifts and then slipping badly in the smaller gears on the cassette. The Trance has Shimano and the Levo Sram. Both have roughly 1000 miles. I ordered a cheap 11/46 and 11/42 all steel cassette and a good chain for each. The front sprockets have very little wear but the teeth on the cassette is trashed on both bikes. We put 1000 miles on the Giant in 3 months. I would hate to spend the money to replace these chains and sprockets on these bikes with expensive SRAM/Shimano parts just to see them wear out like cheap stuff so I’m going to try something different. I’m also going to put a bigger front sprocket on the Giant so it will keep the chain in the middle range of the cassette more often. I’ll keep you all posted on the results.

Going to a bigger front sprocket?! I thought the 36T was quite big. do you ride relatively flat stuff?

 

[SquireRides]

My rule: Whatever I can find at the best discount today!

You sometimes find XT cassettes selling cheaper than you can get an SLX. I usually also consider Suntour MX8 or MS8 too. Been running one for months on my eeb and works well.

Between those 4 options, and the 6 online stores I shop at, I can usually find a bargain when it's time to replace the cassette.

 

[Crawford919]

Going to a bigger front sprocket?! I thought the 36T was quite big. do you ride relatively flat stuff?

Yes mostly but have ridden the mountains and never needed th bigger cassette gears much at all. Mostly it’s ridden in the last four gears. Have a 38 ordered, nothing to much bigger.

 

[Stretch40]

I run 1x10 deore built like a tank made of steel but durable ? if it was 11 speed I'd look for all steel if possible and a steel cassette body lasts way longer ?

 

[Evolution Stu]

1x10 but I’ve upgraded the HG50 to a HG500 to move from 36 to 42.

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

1x10 but I’ve upgraded the HG50 to a HG500 to move from 36 to 42.

What’s it like? Is there a notable difference between the 36T and the 42T big cog or do you think you still need more?

What about the last 5 bigger cogs, are the wider spaced ratios better? Ta

 

[55plusmxinsanity]

My Giant Trance E and Specialized Levo both this week went from shifting and pedaling perfectly to missing shifts and then slipping badly in the smaller gears on the cassette. The Trance has Shimano and the Levo Sram. Both have roughly 1000 miles. I ordered a cheap 11/46 and 11/42 all steel cassette and a good chain for each. The front sprockets have very little wear but the teeth on the cassette is trashed on both bikes. We put 1000 miles on the Giant in 3 months. I would hate to spend the money to replace these chains and sprockets on these bikes with expensive SRAM/Shimano parts just to see them wear out like cheap stuff so I’m going to try something different. I’m also going to put a bigger front sprocket on the Giant so it will keep the chain in the middle range of the cassette more often. I’ll keep you all posted on the results.

Did you adjust the cable? I have over a 1000 miles on my Levo and have had to adjust it to keep shifting smoothly. My cassette is nowhere near worn out.

 

[Crawford919]

Did you adjust the cable? I have over a 1000 miles on my Levo and have had to adjust it to keep shifting smoothly. My cassette is nowhere near worn out.

Rarely touched the cable adjustment on the Levo until it started shifting and slipping on the rear cassette. Then realized it was worn teeth not cable tension issues. I put micro shift steel cassettes on both bikes last week and they are doing great. Had to fine tune the Levo slightly and didn’t have to touch the Giants adjustment and they ride and shift great now with no issues. I’ll keep you posted on longevity.

 

[Evolution Stu]

What’s it like? Is there a notable difference between the 36T and the 42T big cog or do you think you still need more?

What about the last 5 bigger cogs, are the wider spaced ratios better? Ta

Seems to work fine and the spacing is no problem, it’s very similar to the 50.

Not needed to use it seriously yet as we dont do that many 40% gradients, but when we do the 36 was useless, I just couldn’t climb as well as my two mates and ended up pushing.

this was one such example.

 

[Evolution Stu]

Here is the spec..
HG50/HG500

11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36T

11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-37-42T

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

Here is the spec..
HG50/HG500

11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36T

11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-37-42T

Spacings look better.

 

[Evolution Stu]

It’s a bargain upgrade. I had to get a longer B- limit screw but it seems to shift fine. There is another option out there to do the job better but they don’t fit Giant Trance E 2019s proprietary hanger.

I found out AFTER I bought it.
GoatLink

yours cheap if you want to go that route. Lol.

 

[Lee]

Seems to work fine and the spacing is no problem, it’s very similar to the 50.

Not needed to use it seriously yet as we dont do that many 40% gradients, but when we do the 36 was useless, I just couldn’t climb as well as my two mates and ended up pushing.

this was one such example.

View attachment 20663

Nice picture, where is that? is it in the lakes.

Thanks

 

[Evolution Stu]

Thanks
Yes, this was taken just prior to the final ascent of lower man on our way to Helvellyn summit.

Probably only a few minutes before I started shouting and swearing about the weight of an E-Bike when you have to push it. LOL

 

[Kingerz]

Deore isn't particularly tough now, it has rivets, not machined it is a block like SRAM XO1 etc. I broke one.

 

[mak]

Does anyone just swap out the worn cog as an individual ? I'm not even sure I've seen individual cogs for sale .