|   replacing my cassette | BoMitchell
Jan 20, 2003 5:00 PM | | I'm replacing the cassette on my bike. The gear ratio is 11-34 for the stock cassette but I've been offered a new XTR 12-32 cassette cheap. How much will I be able to tell if I change the ratio? Also, if I'm replacing an 8 sp cassette, will any 8 sp mountain bike cassette work or are there other considerations? Thanks. |
| If the price is right. . . | Stick
Jan 20, 2003 5:22 PM | | go ahead and switch to the 12-32. For all intents and purposes, all 8 spd casettes are interchangeable. Not all rear derailleurs are compatible w/ the 11-34 'mega' range, but since that was your stock setup, you can switch to whatever you want. As for noticing the difference between 32 and 34 tooth cogs...maybe you will, maybe you won't. If you're a big guy with a big bike who spends a lot of time turning granny gears up climbs, you're going to notice it. Otherwise, you probably won't miss the extra-low gear all that much. |
| Just the cassette? | Joe Steel
Jan 21, 2003 6:37 AM | | Your existing chain may be a link or so too long and result in poor shifting performance. That can easily be fixed by removing a link. However, if your old chain is worn, and you replace only the cassette (the old cassette that is worn to fit the worn chain) you may also notice poor performance (stretched chain on fresh cassette) requiring that you replace the chain. And that leads us to the front chain rings...blah blah, blah
You may also need to do a little adjusting of the rear deraileur (I'm not sure but it is a possibility that the "b" screw might require a little tweaking -- backing out a couple of turns to bring the der. cog closer to the cassette).
Changing from a 34 to a 32 tooth granny will be like losing your current 1st gear. If you don't climb much using your 34 you wont miss it. If you do use your 34 ...well, you'll just become stronger :-) |
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