11 speed cassettes

VO2min

I'm looking at a new bike with 11-speed gearing either 105 or Ultegra and ideally I would like a 12-28 cassette as the best combination of narrow gaps and a range to suit my normal riding speed. However in 105 and Ultegra the only options are 11-25, 12-25 & 11-28. Would it be possible to get a 12-25 then swap the last couple of cogs which are usually separate? Or is forking out for the Dura ace cassette the only solution?

northpole

I've always got on rather well with my Campag 12-27 cassettes.....

If it must be shimano I suspect that you'd be fine with 11-28

Peter

duckson

SRAM 11-28 retains the 16T in the middle of the cassette, thats the reason i ditched the Ultegra 11-28. I did have DA 12-28 18 months back but RMAed it as it started creaking (well known problem), i found that the best ratios as you say (its a 10sp 12-25 with the 28 bolted on as a get out clause!).

DKay

VO2min wrote:

I'm looking at a new bike with 11-speed gearing either 105 or Ultegra and ideally I would like a 12-28 cassette as the best combination of narrow gaps and a range to suit my normal riding speed. However in 105 and Ultegra the only options are 11-25, 12-25 & 11-28. Would it be possible to get a 12-25 then swap the last couple of cogs which are usually separate? Or is forking out for the Dura ace cassette the only solution?

The last few (largest) sprockets on a 105 cassette upwards are all bolted/bonded to a one-piece carrier. You can't swap them out, as far as I'm aware.

I reckon you're over thinking things though. An 11speed 11-28t cassette gives you plenty of options and the ratios are as close as you'd find on a 10speed 11-25t.

londoncommuter

I haven't checked but have you also looked at Miche cassettes (I think SRAM are all 11-X aren't they?)? Might be some more options there.

gwillis

Worth taking note that 11 speed campag and shimano cassettes work with each other but I guess this is only an option if you have both types of rear wheel . I'm using a ultegra 11 on a campag athena groupset

Bar Shaker

I use an SRAM Force 12-28 on my climbing wheels and an 11-26 on my carbons.

I think the Force cassettes are at least as good as Ultegra. They are fully interchangeable, as are Campags, at 11 speed.

VO2min

DKay wrote:

The last few (largest) sprockets on a 105 cassette upwards are all bolted/bonded to a one-piece carrier. You can't swap them out, as far as I'm aware.

Yeah I said that the wrong way round, would need to start with an 11-28, but not sure there would be enough free cogs to get to a 12-28.

SRAM don't seem to list a 12-29 cassette, campag do but it's basically the same price as the Shimano Dura-Ace one.

I know the 11-28 will work, just seems silly to have a gear I rarely use instead of one I would in the middle.

Brynd

Shimano Ultegra ratios
11-23 (11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23) 
11-25 (11-12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25) 
11-28 (11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28)
11-32 (11-12-13-14-16-18-20-22-25-28-32)
12-25 (12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23-25)

From a 11-28 & a 12-25 you can make
12-28 (12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25-28)

19-21 are joined together
23-25-28 are joined together

TheHound

Just to clarify, shim/sram 11sp cassettes work with campag 11sp shifters/derailleur?

cycleclinic

How about a miche 11 speed cassette in 12-22T of a 12-29T

Bar Shaker

Yes they are all compatible at 11 speed.