Shimano cassette options / alternative makes

DeVlaeminck

Looking at getting an "easier" cassette than the 11 or 12-25 I've been using - age, fitness etc having to face facts!

Thinking a 30 should be OK with a 6800 short cage mech (I know Shimano say 28 but it hardly seems worth changing for another 3 teeth on the sprocket - I'll probably get a new chain too so that's not an issue) but it seems Shimano only make an 11-30 (or indeed an 11-28). I've got a 52*36 semi compact on so don't really need an 11 and as I'm pushing the limits of the mech I thought a 12 or even 13 small sprocket would make more sense.

I've noticed Miche and a few others do Shimano compatible cassettes with different ratios but can anyone advise if these are any good - any make you'd recommend - not just shift quality but are they as quiet (or ideally quieter) than using all Shimano gear.

Thanks

schlepcycling

I have a Miche cassette from Malcolm at https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/ he does lots of different options and also used to offer custom options.

a.palmer

I have an 11-30 with a short cage 6800 rear mech and it's absolutely fine. Didn't even need to adjust the B limit screw when changing from an 11-28

First.Aspect

If its like the campag compatible one I have, the Miche cassettes have completely separate cogs and are a bit of a pita to fit. Looks lower end to me, in terms of how well defined the ramps are.

Just get an SRAM cassette.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

I'm loving the 11-34 https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-105-cs-r7000-cassette-11-speed-117086.html that replaced an 11-32 to use with a 34/50 compact...
11-13-15-17-19-21-23-25-27-30-34
vs
11-12-13-14-16-18-20-22-25-28-32

My road bike rides are often hilly and can involve anything up to short ~25% gradients, the 11-34 gives me more climbing gears (17-34 vs 18-32) and an easier bailout.

Usually my efforts are on the climbs, but it's nice to have the option and the neccessity until yesterday to take steep sections such as the top bit of Milland Hill https://www.strava.com/segments/25545019 in 34/34.

I rarely power down the South Downs lanes, so I can live with the compromise of 2T steps 11-15.

DeVlaeminck

a.palmer said:

I have an 11-30 with a short cage 6800 rear mech and it's absolutely fine. Didn't even need to adjust the B limit screw when changing from an 11-28

Yes it's more that I don't really need an 11 sprocket but good to know a 30 will be fine - as I have a 52 big ring a 12 would be ok or even a 13 and get slightly closer ratios higher up the block - I might well end up getting 11-30 anyway but a 12 -29 or 13-30 would make (albeit marginally) more sense for me.

a.palmer

N0bodyOfTheGoat said:

I'm loving the 11-34 https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-105-cs-r7000-cassette-11-speed-117086.html that replaced an 11-32 to use with a 34/50 compact...
11-13-15-17-19-21-23-25-27-30-34
vs
11-12-13-14-16-18-20-22-25-28-32

My road bike rides are often hilly and can involve anything up to short ~25% gradients, the 11-34 gives me more climbing gears (17-34 vs 18-32) and an easier bailout.

Usually my efforts are on the climbs, but it's nice to have the option and the neccessity until yesterday to take steep sections such as the top bit of Milland Hill https://www.strava.com/segments/25545019 in 34/34.

I rarely power down the South Downs lanes, so I can live with the compromise of 2T steps 11-15.

I'm in Portsmouth and do nearly all my riding over the Downs, but haven't done that hill before. I'll have to give it at go. It'll be out of the saddle by the sounds of it in 36/30!

N0bodyOfTheGoat

a.palmer said:

I'm in Portsmouth and do nearly all my riding over the Downs, but haven't done that hill before. I'll have to give it at go. It'll be out of the saddle by the sounds of it in 36/30!

It was on my "to do" list for over a year and as much as it doesn't take long (~6min30secs at ~3.3W/Kg average), it's a fun challenging ending to the climb and there are a good handful of other cat4 climbs between Borden Lane, Milland and Rogate.

Then there are some other climbs with steep bits nearby around Hawkley, such as...
https://www.strava.com/segments/25549054
https://www.strava.com/segments/20828567
https://www.strava.com/segments/20828499

Spelham Hill https://www.strava.com/segments/741848 is steep too, but because of the trees and houses right on top of the lane, GPS lock is awful and I don't think any created segments accurately depict how steep it is, I reckon it's easily on par with https://www.strava.com/segments/22640486 just around the corner from me that hits ~25%.

a.palmer

Thanks for the info, and sorry to de-rail the thread! I have done that one at Hambledon, and it is damn steep at its worst

I've got Bexley Hill on my to do list which is meant to be a bit of a challenge.