Shimano 9speed cassettes/hubs

ThePiglit

Got a fast (well it probably would be with anyone else) touring bike with DX hubs and 9 speed cassette.

questions
1. There only seem to be 2 standard options an 11/32 or an 11/34. 11 and 12 teeth are wasted on me and I would like closer ratios. Can you "build your own cassette" anymore

2. Also thinking of upgrading wheels in forseeable to XT hubs. Are all 9 speed cassettes the same in terms of fit and width between sprockets. I.E. will the Tiagra STI and Deore rear mech work?

3. Are XT hubs signiffy better than ordinary Deore. Don't seem much extra money.

Obliged for any advice.

nicklouse

Shimano pattern 9 speed hubs are all the same and will take a 9 or an 8 spd cassette. but note the cassette must be the same speed as the reast of the kit.

cassette ratios there are also the road cassettes to look at but they dont go as Big.

if you dont use the small cogs why not have a change of rings sizes at the front? and have a full set of gears that you use.

ThePiglit

Yes - all kit is 9 speed so no probs. Sometimes you see "XT cassette" advertised and I thought ho-hum are they different.

Re rings on front. Indeed might be up for a change but would still like the block to be fairly close. On the 11/34 there is a bit of jump in the middle which can be sort of overcome by changing up onto the big ringing a clicking down on the block but not ideal/

I thought the whole idea of triple rings was that this was where you got you range of gearing from, enabling the use of closer ratio blocks.

It may be of course that the cassettes mention are much better in combo with smaller MTB rings.

Thanks

nicklouse

what are you running on the front. eg MTB tripple 22/32/44 or?

the XT cassette is basically lighter and the cogs are mounterd on a carrier, well most are. as opposed to just being rivited/screwed together.

also any 9 spd cassette from any maker (as long as it has a shimano spline fitting) will work so there are other options out there.

the XT hubs, lighter and better bearings. But as will all shimano hubs they never seem to be correctly greased. need more grease.

Hugh A

Have a look at the Shimano 9 speed road range - lots of closer ratios ready made e.g. 12-25, and yes XT is slightly lighter with better bearings and seals - worth the extra IMO as it feels a bit smoother than Deore

ThePiglit

Many thanks for useful info posted.
1 Re Front: 52 42 30. The 30/32 combo is fine. Will haul the pork up anything including. The bigger combos are a waste. Even at full tilt on a long descent still only on 52/16
2 Re road cassettes. Hmm looks like a different combo on the front would be necessary but would get the wide range/close ratio thing sorted. The old 48 38 26 or thereabouts might be good. Will have to sit down with a gear chart. "Retro" Deore Chainsets seem available and value, though if can get rings to fit the Tiagra.... WIll ave a word with excellent LBS here in Sheff.
3 Re Deore Xt value. Indeed the extra dosh seems worth it. The grease? Hmm just regreased the bearings on Deore for 1st time and you're right!

pieinthesky

I am currently running a 26/36/46 Stronglight triple on my tourer. They are excellent chainsets for the money. I usually run with a 12 - 23 road cassette which gives loads of close ratios.

If running fully loaded I would fit an 11 to 28 cassette on which the 11 is pretty useless.
I might try a 24 ring (I think it will fit) and a 12 to 25 cassette next time I go on tour

ThePiglit

Indeed on finding out that there is a 12/27 cassette sat down with a gear chart and a 46/36/26 on the front would give a 26in odd bottom gear and just over 100 top, with eveything nice n close together.

Actually looked at which gears I use recently - interesting - on flat or undulating twiddle along at steady 18/19mph on 42/18 comes out as just over 65ins on gear chart. Quite low really. Shift up onto the big ring and back one on the block, and 20mph+ dooable. Shift up again (no wind last night) and 21+ and still only 80 odd inches.

Thanks again for useful info recd here.