What Teeth Amount for new 9 Speed Cassette

lighty89

So looking for a new Cassette... Currently have the Felt F95 with the Sunrace 9 Speed Cassette... Looking to swap this to a Shimano Casette, probably the HG50. My bike uses Shimano Sora gearing.

Currently have 11-25T Cassette, wondering what would be best though as can see lots of different options available. I do standard ride, quite a lot of climbing as quite hilly where I live... Don't think I get much use out of the fastest gear I have available...

Is there one which will give me an easier time climbing, but also able to keep up a good average speed? Usually average around 17mph?

imposter2.0

Cassette choice depends largely on a combination of your personal fitness and personal preference. In that sense, whatever anyone recommends here would be pure guesswork. Make your own informed choice, would be my suggestion.

dj58

As above, do you struggle on the hills with your 11-25T cassette? If so and you want lower gears look at the HG80 11-28T or a HG50 11-30, both will give you lower bottom gears.

keezx

Leave the useless 11 out, and 12-27 or 12-30.

Simon Masterson

You just need to decide what gearing is right for you. Like most people, you don't need an 11t cog, so 12-27 would make sense.

IanRCarter

I have 12-27 on my 9-speed bike with a 50-34 chainset. I wouldn't mind having 28T or 30T to drop down to on some long/steep climbs, but I've never got off and walked, which I probably would have if 25T was my climbing gear.

I think you can get 12-28 as well? And, I'm not sure if the 30T requires a longer cage RD?

lighty89

IanRCarter wrote:

I have 12-27 on my 9-speed bike with a 50-34 chainset. I wouldn't mind having 28T or 30T to drop down to on some long/steep climbs, but I've never got off and walked, which I probably would have if 25T was my climbing gear.

I think you can get 12-28 as well? And, I'm not sure if the 30T requires a longer cage RD?

Random question, how many links is your chain? I used some calculator and it says I need a 53 link chain when I change. However, chains come in 2 sizes usually 114 and 116 lol...

Bobbinogs

It is a bit confusing but a link is really two links measuring 1". Hence, if any online guide says 53, it probably equates to 53" or 106 links.

dj58

IanRCarter wrote:

I have 12-27 on my 9-speed bike with a 50-34 chainset. I wouldn't mind having 28T or 30T to drop down to on some long/steep climbs, but I've never got off and walked, which I probably would have if 25T was my climbing gear.

I think you can get 12-28 as well? And, I'm not sure if the 30T requires a longer cage RD?

The Shimano tech. specs. for the RD-3500-SS short cage is, top sprocket min.11T/max.14T and low sprocket min.25T/ max.32T.