Sunrace 11spd MX80 11-50 Cassette - compatibility

[SteveSSS]

I'm looking at replacing my other halves current 11 speed SLX10-46 cassette to a Sunrace MX80 11-50, just to give her a bit more range, whilst running in Eco.
Has anyone tried this and did it work?
I know it's been done on a regular full suss but unsure if there are any potential problems, I'm missing.
Current rear mech is a medium length SLX, I'm going for a 136L chain and I'll get a derailleur extender just in case but prefer not to use it.
Any advice welcome.

 

[jbrown15]

Why not just stick with Shimano and get the 11spd 11-51T Deore cassette?

SHIMANO DEORE Cassette Sprocket 11-speed | SHIMANO BIKE-US

Perfect for front single and double MTB drivetrains, SHIMANO's M5100-11cassette offers Rider Tuned gear steps for maximum cadence control across the varied terrain of mountain biking.

bike.shimano.com

The Shimano cassette would probably be more durable as it doesn't have any aluminum rings on it.

 

[steve_sordy]

I'm looking at replacing my other halves current 11 speed SLX10-46 cassette to a Sunrace MX80 11-50, just to give her a bit more range, whilst running in Eco..............

"to give her a bit more range"
The 10-46 tooth cassette she has now has a 4.6:1 range. The 11-50 cassette has a 4.55:1range. In other words almost a 10% reduced gearing range. I do accept that the 50T gear at the back will help her up the hills better than the 46T, but that is less than 9% extra! And she will lose 10% off her fast gear (from 10t to 11t).

The better thing to do would be to fit a smaller chain ring, or to find a 10-50t cassette, or maybe both!

There is no free lunch with gearing; unless you can increase the range of the cassette (10-50 would do it), you will lose something at either end of the cassette. You just have to decide which is more important to you, climbing or going fast.

 

[SteveSSS]

"to give her a bit more range"
The 10-46 tooth cassette she has now has a 4.6:1 range. The 11-50 cassette has a 4.55:1range. In other words almost a 10% reduced gearing range. I do accept that the 50T gear at the back will help her up the hills better than the 46T, but that is less than 9% extra! And she will lose 10% off her fast gear (from 10t to 11t).

The better thing to do would be to fit a smaller chain ring, or to find a 10-50t cassette, or maybe both!

There is no free lunch with gearing; unless you can increase the range of the cassette (10-50 would do it), you will lose something at either end of the cassette. You just have to decide which is more important to you, climbing or going fast.

Thanks, she's more likely to make use of the 50t than the loss of the 10t.

 

[steve_sordy]

Thanks, she's more likely to make use of the 50t than the loss of the 10t.

Might it then be cheaper and quicker to just fit a smaller chain ring? Fewer complications with the mech, no need for another chain, just shorten the one you have, better ground clearance etc.