Cassette

Hurricane Warrior
Hurricane Warrior Posts: 147
edited October 2011 in Road buying advice
Just wondered what the benefits are if I change my cassette from 8 to 9?
Jamis Xenith Endura Sport 2012
Boardman Race 2013
Genesis Equilibrium 2014 (Built myself)
Boardman Comp MTB 2016

Comments

  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    The reduction in weight of your wallet will help you go up hills. This is not a one off instance either; the greater fragility of the narrower 9-speed chain will continue to lighten your wallet as replacements become more frequent.

    /misanthrope
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    On Strava.{/url}
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    Remember that you'll have to change your shifters from 8 to 9 as well...
  • Hurricane Warrior
    Hurricane Warrior Posts: 147
    Lol thanks

    I don't have an expensive bike as road bikes go a Carrera Virtuoso and have bought some new Fulcrum wheels and was toying about getting a 9 speed cassette but might stick with the 8 speed for now
    Jamis Xenith Endura Sport 2012
    Boardman Race 2013
    Genesis Equilibrium 2014 (Built myself)
    Boardman Comp MTB 2016
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    TBH if I were going to replace shifters I'd be sweeping the classifieds for 2nd hand 105 or better, not Tiagra. I've picked up two pairs of 105 shifters on this very forum, one pair for £45 and one pair for £60 so the deals are out there! There's no way I'd buy new shifters at retail price, they're outrageously expensive.

    Chain and cassette you'd want to buy new.

    Biggest benefit is going to be the better integration of shifter and brake lever, you'll get some improvement in gear selection as you'll have smaller gaps between gears. The latter is a pretty minor thing though IMO.
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    Biggest advantage is the smaller gaps between gears. My tourer had an 11-28, I went to a 12-25 (both 8 speed) and reduced the size of the gaps that way. I'm fit enough now that I don't need the lower gears.

    If you were going to pay for new shifters and things you'd be as well going straight to ten speed unless you picked up some used 9 speeds cheaply.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • Hurricane Warrior
    Hurricane Warrior Posts: 147
    As my bike is only a Carrera Virtuso I decided to keep the 8 speed set up, but have upgraded it none the less with some nice wheels 'Fulcrum Racing 7 2011' put a new 8 speed cassette on and some good quality tyres, just that little upgrade cost as much as the bike itself.

    Plan to buy a decent bike in the future, but really happy with what I've done for now it looks really good, well for what it is

    Thanks guys for your help and advice
    Jamis Xenith Endura Sport 2012
    Boardman Race 2013
    Genesis Equilibrium 2014 (Built myself)
    Boardman Comp MTB 2016

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