Changing a cassette
Just got a new bike and have become a demon hill climber but in reality it turns out I have a different gear set up!
Both bikes are 50/34T at the front but the new one has an 11-28T cassette, whereas the older bike is 11-25T.
I'm going to use the old bike through the winter but I like the easier hill climbing (no surpises there), so I have a couple of questions please:
1. Can I put an 11-28T cassette on in place of the 11-25T without making any other changes (it's Shimano Ultegra)?
2. Could I do it myself or should I get the LBS to do it? If it's pretty straightforward, what tools do I need to get hold of?
Thanks for helping, as you can tell, I'm pretty new to trying to understand the mechanics of bikes.
Both bikes are 50/34T at the front but the new one has an 11-28T cassette, whereas the older bike is 11-25T.
I'm going to use the old bike through the winter but I like the easier hill climbing (no surpises there), so I have a couple of questions please:
1. Can I put an 11-28T cassette on in place of the 11-25T without making any other changes (it's Shimano Ultegra)?
2. Could I do it myself or should I get the LBS to do it? If it's pretty straightforward, what tools do I need to get hold of?
Thanks for helping, as you can tell, I'm pretty new to trying to understand the mechanics of bikes.
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Comments
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You'll need to check you chain is long enough. One 50-28 combination it'll need 3 more links in it than 50-25. Usually the correct length of the chain is determined in the big ring-big cog ratio so the rear derailleur hasn't got too much slack to take in, in the other ratios.
However it is probably sensible to change you chain at the same time as the cassette, since they will have become worn together and the old chain may slip on a new cassette under high load conditions0 -
Hi there
The swap over should be no problem - in general there is plenty of scope in the chain/ derailleur set-up to accomodate the extra 3 teeth on the larger sprocket. FYI I have swapped an 11-28 Ultegra for a 12-30 Tiagra on my bike without needing to do anything in the way of tweaking -eg chain length, B-screw adjustment, indexing.
The swapping job is easy to do and is something you should become familiar with.
You need a cassette lock ring removal tool - like this or similar:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IceToolz-Bicy ... _818wt_952
and a chain whip to hold the cassette while you remove the lock ring - like this:-
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Ice-Toolz-Freew ... =Froogle02
Plenty of YouTube vids to help you through the process - like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9Oek25xKJ00 -
Thanks all for taking the time to answer.
From the video it actually looks pretty simple - I'll give it a go once I've got the kit.0 -
It's very easy (isn't everything, if you know how
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Just check you have enough chain by putting it in 50 x 28 with the bike on workstand, turned upside down, etc and pedalling by hand. Better to check the mech won't turn inside out or rip off, before you ride it...
If your old chain is worn, you might need to replace it anyway, as it'll skip on a new cassette
- google Sheldon Brown chain length and see what length to cut the new one to0