Rear cassette and chain.

stueycbr6

Hi guys,

Probably a simple thing to most but totally new to doing my own maintenance. So a couple of questions.

Using a 2006 Specialized Sirrus Pro to commute. On my ride home I snapped my chain but fixed it to get me home, but obviously now missing a few links.

I'm going to replace the old chain with a shimano HG 93. Also thinking about replacing the cassette, which is a 9sp. Does it matter if I use a SRAM or shimano cassette with? Will the chain and cassette work together?

Also, haven't looked yet but are cassettes stamped/marked with brand, model etc? As it may be easier doing a one for one swap.

Many thanks in advance,

Stu

davis

Yeah they should work, as long as your cassette's not too worn. You can't fit a new chain to a worn cassette (opinions differ as to what constitutes "worn", but say 2000 miles is probably in the ballpark depending on how clean you kept it). If your cassette's too worn then you'll experience skipping and will probably need a new one.
Have a look at the bottom of this page for examples of worn sprockets.

Also I'd recommend KMC over Shimano. They include quicklinks for free.

markhewitt1978

Yes Shimano with work with SRAM and vice-versa, just make sure it's all 9 speed and it will work. Also you need to make sure the ratios are correct, you might want to change what ratios you have.

stueycbr6

Cheers for the info. Several people have recommended the KMC chains so will give them a whirl.

As soon as my days off come ill stick my bike up on the stand and have a good look at the cassette.

CRC have some good deals at the moment so may just do chain and cassette as bike was used when it came to me.

bigmonka

stueycbr6 wrote:

Also, haven't looked yet but are cassettes stamped/marked with brand, model etc? As it may be easier doing a one for one swap.

Typically they are yes (on the biggest ring). If you know the model year you should be able to find out the components from the specifications on the specialised website too.

markhewitt1978

But there's real need to replace like for like - that's the beauty of bicycle components, that they are standarised - there may be an awful lot of standards, true, but they are there.

icon cycles

When replacing the cassette as long as you have the same number of cogs it wont matter if you use Sram or Shimano they are interchangeable.

stueycbr6

Thanks for all the advice. Replaced the chain with a shimano, as already had a chain splitter. Plus a new cassette. All is rosey with the bike now. Thanks again.