Cassette and chain

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Hi there,
Need a new cassette and chain for my Triban 3 (2300 8 speed). Seen one one wiggle that is budget and want to make sure it'd be ok. It's a Shimano HG41 11-30 cassette and the compatible chain. It says for road and mtb so thought it should be ok but don't want to buy twice.
Thanks,
Russ
 

RecordAceFromNew

Swinging Member
Location
West London
Assuming your Triban has a 30/40/50T chainset, 12-25 cassette and the RD2300 rear mech currently as standard, then the issues are a) whether you really want/need a cassette that goes to 30T (it will give you a 1:1 drive) which some would say low enough to go up walls, and b) whether the 30T can definitely be accommodated by your existing rear mech.

To deal with the second issue, the RD2300 seems to have an official 26T max cog size limit and wrap range of 35T. So a 30T sprocket in a 11-30T cassette is exceeding official max cog size by 4T, and wrap capacity by (50-30+30-11) - 35 also 4T. There is a good chance the rear mech can handle it, but without trying it I would not like to guarantee it. You can check the actual max cog size limit by measuring the clearance between top jockey wheel and the 25T sprocket when you are in that gear - if it is definitely more than 10mm then max cog size is not going to be a problem. Checking the wrap range is a little more tricky - you would need to assess whether the rear mech can readily retain tension (i.e. not allowing it to go slack when you are on small front and back) with a chain that is at least two links (a pair) longer than the current minimum - likely in my view, but again can't guarantee it.

I might be misreading your post but it is certainly a challenge sourcing new "road" cassettes as cheaply as mtb (i.e. wider ranged) cassettes. But we are where we are. So if you want compatibility certainty then one such as the HG51 12-25 here is a safe choice for a few £s more.

If I were you I would get a KMC or sram, not Shimano, 8 speed chain - you can easily get one for just a few £s.
 

Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
Hi there,
Need a new cassette and chain for my Triban 3 (2300 8 speed). Seen one one wiggle that is budget and want to make sure it'd be ok. It's a Shimano HG41 11-30 cassette and the compatible chain. It says for road and mtb so thought it should be ok but don't want to buy twice.
Thanks,
Russ
Assuming your Triban has a 30/40/50T chainset, 12-25 cassette and the RD2300 rear mech currently as standard, then the issues are a) whether you really want/need a cassette that goes to 30T (it will give you a 1:1 drive) which some would say low enough to go up walls, and b) whether the 30T can definitely be accommodated by your existing rear mech.

To deal with the second issue, the RD2300 seems to have an official 26T max cog size limit and wrap range of 35T. So a 30T sprocket in a 11-30T cassette is exceeding official max cog size by 4T, and wrap capacity by (50-30+30-11) - 35 also 4T. There is a good chance the rear mech can handle it, but without trying it I would not like to guarantee it. You can check the actual max cog size limit by measuring the clearance between top jockey wheel and the 25T sprocket when you are in that gear - if it is definitely more than 10mm then max cog size is not going to be a problem. Checking the wrap range is a little more tricky - you would need to assess whether the rear mech can readily retain tension (i.e. not allowing it to go slack when you are on small front and back) with a chain that is at least two links (a pair) longer than the current minimum - likely in my view, but again can't guarantee it.

I might be misreading your post but it is certainly a challenge sourcing new "road" cassettes as cheaply as mtb (i.e. wider ranged) cassettes. But we are where we are. So if you want compatibility certainty then one such as the HG51 12-25 here is a safe choice for a few £s more.

If I were you I would get a KMC or sram, not Shimano, 8 speed chain - you can easily get one for just a few £s.

Would a 11-28 be a safer bet? You can get an HG51 11-28 from the Woollyhatshop for about 15 quid.
 
OP
OP
Easytigers

Easytigers

Guru
Thanks guys...guess I'm just trying to shave pounds off...but like anything...worth getting the right stuff straight away. Thanks for the heads up!
Russ
 
OP
OP
Easytigers

Easytigers

Guru
Are the current gears ok for what you need, do you need lower gearing?
They're fine for everything I need but just trying to save money as we're going through a bit of a rough time at the moment and it needs replacing (sorry not turning on the tears...just the way it is atm)
 

Nebulous

Guru
Location
Aberdeen
The cheapest place I've found recently for cassettes is Amazon. I got an 11-32 HG41 8 speed for less than a tenner delivered. They also have this with free delivery.

Edit* Scrub that - its a 9 speed - sorry!
 

malcermie

Senior Member
Location
Dover, Kemt
Top Bottom