cassette

[flyingfish]

Hi all & happy New Year
The 11 - 34 tooth cassette on my Voodoo has given up after a pitifully few miles.
I intend to replace it with another shimano cassette (still 8 speed) with a similar range.
The question is which is the highest spec cassette Shimano make in this size
Thanks
Pete

 

[ianrauk]

What do you mean 'has given up'? and after how many pitiful miles?

 

[flyingfish]

Chain slips on 3rd and 4th gears (new chain but I didn't think cassette had gone) after about 600 miles. The cassette was looked at today by a cycle mechanic who's opinion I respect. The chain was regularly cleaned .

 

[huwsparky]

Not good... On a positive, you must be putting some power through that transmission!

 

[raleighnut]

Going up a 'level' in the range is not gonna get more 'life' out of the cassette in fact using the cheapest (heaviest) is likely to offer more longevity.
What is more important with a chain is keeping it well lubricated as opposed to 'clean', there are a myriad of ways of doing this but ,for me, the best method is the 'plenty of oil and a cloth' way (known on here as the 'mickle' method but I know @mickle is a bit miffed at that cos it is actually a really 'old stylee' way of doing the job, he just told people that technique and got lumbered with that as his legacy on here* )

As for lubricant, use whatever you choose, expensive stuff like 'finish line' () or 3:1/ chainsaw oil (my favourite)/ car engine/gearbox oil, whatever, just keep the chain lubed.


* FWIW I wouldn't mind having it named after me but the 'raleighnut way' doesn't have quite the same ring to it, sorry Mick.

 

[but goody]

Going up a 'level' in the range is not gonna get more 'life' out of the cassette in fact using the cheapest (heaviest) is likely to offer more longevity.

I too have a problem of how best to deal with worn cassettes. On my Giant defy 3 I have always kept the chain oiled, and fitted a new chain after about a thousand miles due to the chain snapping. Now at about two thousand miles the chain joining link broke, so I fitted another new chain, only to find the sprockets on the cassette are too worn and the new chain slips.

Replacing chains is one thing, but cassettes cost money and take a little more time to fit. So should I buy a better cassette?
The worn out original was an SRAM PG950 11x32, 9-speed. I have replaced it with a Shimano off tinternet for £12. Looking for better quality I found none as big as 32 tooth. I have now come across a Shimano XT in 11-32, 9 speed. But the price is £38 !!!!

Mainly I want a bike I can use, that doesn't keep letting me down, so what is the best way forward please - anyone?

 

[Blue Hills]

I'd leave that XT cassette on the shelf and follow raleighnut's advice on the cheapest being no worse (unless you care about a few grams) and often better for practical cycling. XT maybe for certain mechs/shifters, though with trickle down much of the "lower" stuff is now pretty good. XT hubs of old were also good (i have some that came as OE on my dale) but i understand that they have now buggered around with those as well in the interests of trying to shave a few grams off. So, save your money, clip your tonails, forego that passing lust for growing a speed draining hipster beard, lose the tiddliest bit of weight.

 

[Blue Hills]

Ps, but goody, practice removing and replacing a cassette a couple of times. It is actually one of the simplest jobs once you have the right tools, takes no time at all, probably faster than changing a chain where you have to check/double check the length.

 

[but goody]

ok, thanks. Agree that changing the cassette is easy, I do have the tools, so will continue just replacing as necessary.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd leave that XT cassette on the shelf and follow raleighnut's advice on the cheapest being no worse (unless you care about a few grams) and often better for practical cycling. XT maybe for certain mechs/shifters, though with trickle down much of the "lower" stuff is now pretty good. XT hubs of old were also good (i have some that came as OE on my dale) but i understand that they have now buggered around with those as well in the interests of trying to shave a few grams off. So, save your money, clip your tonails, forego that passing lust for growing a speed draining hipster beard, lose the tiddliest bit of weight.

I don't advocate using the cheapest cassette all the time, one of my bikes runs Dura-ace 7700 (8 or 9 speed though it has currently got an 8 on) and 105 another runs a mix of Centaur and Record (10spd) but they're dry weather only (well dry when I go out) bikes but for a commuter inexpensive and durable is key for me.

 

[fossyant]

Have a look at SRAM cassettes. They are usually lighter than the Shimano ones and can be picked up cheaply.

 

[cyberknight]

If you ride using mainly a few gears they can wear out quickly on those particular ones, if i get a slipping cassette its generally on gears 4 and 5 mid cassette on m 8 speed .

 

[the snail]

If you are mashing a cassette in 600 miles, then I'd suggest buying the cheapest one you can find, or it will be a very expensive game.