Close ratio Cassette on an MTB
Discussion
I've got a standard Shimano 9 speed MTB cassette on my bike (don't know the exact teeth count), and find that when riding on the middle ring on the crank there is a few gears on the cassette that feel quite widely spaced.
For example at a good pace on flat smooth trail, using middle ring and 6th (from the wheel) cassette sprocket, there seems a bit of a big gap changing up to 7th that sometimes means I change back down again.
Am I just whinging for the sake of it, or has anyone else found similar?
How have others worked around this kind of problem?
Do people ever fit road cassettes to MTBs, even though you will suffer with a lack of really low climbing gears?
For example at a good pace on flat smooth trail, using middle ring and 6th (from the wheel) cassette sprocket, there seems a bit of a big gap changing up to 7th that sometimes means I change back down again.
Am I just whinging for the sake of it, or has anyone else found similar?
How have others worked around this kind of problem?
Do people ever fit road cassettes to MTBs, even though you will suffer with a lack of really low climbing gears?
snotrag said:
mat205125 said:
Do people ever fit road cassettes to MTBs, even though you will suffer with a lack of really low climbing gears?
Yes, very common on DH bikes. Gives you a snappier change and closer ratios, but on a regular MTB you'll lose a significant amount of climbing ability.
However, if combined with a smaller front ring then you get better ground clearance and more or less the same range of gears.
Pete
pistol pete said:
snotrag said:
mat205125 said:
Do people ever fit road cassettes to MTBs, even though you will suffer with a lack of really low climbing gears?
Yes, very common on DH bikes. Gives you a snappier change and closer ratios, but on a regular MTB you'll lose a significant amount of climbing ability.
However, if combined with a smaller front ring then you get better ground clearance and more or less the same range of gears.
Pete
Well, only at the expense of having some bigger gears for the flat / downhill road bits on the way to/from the fun riding...
Neil_Bolton said:
rico said:
I find the same with middle ring. I can't remember the last time I used a granny ring as I prefer to just torque up the hills rather than spin out.
Pfft, middle ring?
Middle rings for girls.
You want to you to use yer big ring boy...
I honestly don't know why Neil runs a triple chainset - I don't think I've seen any of his bikes in anything but the big ring...
snotrag said:
If its a 9spd then yes. Straight on. There exactly the same construction etc, Just the ratios are different.
Its common for DHers to fit close ratio road cassettes to their bikes as it gives them a nice range on their single chainring up front.
It used to be down to the fact that only road cassettes had 11t rings on them, however with the introduction of Shimanos HyperDrive (SP? IIRC?) where they used smaller chainrings up front, they moved to smaller cassette ranges at the back. All to save weight IIRC.
Another bit of terminology for you:
Cassette = slides on to freehub that is already on the wheel - first introduced by Shimano
Block = Includes the freewheel inside and screws onto the wheel - still used by most Italian die-hards - i.e. Campagnolo.
ETA: 7spd Casette uses a different sized freehub to 8spd and 9spd which can both use the same size. *I think* 10 spd is again different?
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Thursday 10th May 09:41
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Thursday 10th May 09:45
Neil_Bolton said:
Shimanos HyperDrive (SP? IIRC?)
HyperGlide
Neil_Bolton said:
ETA: 7spd Casette uses a different sized freehub to 8spd and 9spd which can both use the same size. *I think* 10 spd is again different?
Shimano 8/9/10 are interchangeable*; 7 isn't
* Obviously need to change the shifter & chain to match.
Edited by pdV6 on Thursday 10th May 11:12
pdV6 said:
Neil_Bolton said:
Shimanos HyperDrive (SP? IIRC?)
HyperGlide
Neil_Bolton said:
ETA: 7spd Casette uses a different sized freehub to 8spd and 9spd which can both use the same size. *I think* 10 spd is again different?
Shimano 8/9/10 are interchangeable*; 7 isn't
* Obviously need to change the shifter & chain to match.
Edited by pdV6 on Thursday 10th May 11:12
The option third from the bottom has a 27T largest sprocket, and could be an option worth considering.
www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1094
Still lower than a normal MTB one, so would have some weaknesses in climbing.
What are the "standard" teeth count for a MTB cassette?
www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1094
Still lower than a normal MTB one, so would have some weaknesses in climbing.
What are the "standard" teeth count for a MTB cassette?
mat205125 said:
The option third from the bottom has a 27T largest sprocket, and could be an option worth considering.
www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1094
Still lower than a normal MTB one, so would have some weaknesses in climbing.
What are the "standard" teeth count for a MTB cassette?
www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1094
Still lower than a normal MTB one, so would have some weaknesses in climbing.
What are the "standard" teeth count for a MTB cassette?
32-11 is usual, with 34-11 for weaklings
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff