Shimano 105 5700 10spd - what are my rear cassette options? (And where to buy?!)

daniel_b · June 2021

Hey BR crew,

I built my partners CR1 up with this groupset a few years (In 2014 I think) back, and at the time as she was a strong rider, and it had a compact up front, I fitted a nice and closely spaced 11-25 at the rear.

Time moves on, and she cycles less, and she now is in need of some smaller gears.

It's a boggo standard 105 RD, so I am fairly sure the most I can get away with is an 30T?

Now comes the joy of trying to firstly find a cassette that is either an 11-30 or 12-30, and then even more difficult finding one that is in stock.

I have found 11-28, but I just don't think that will make enough of a difference, I'd like to get her close to something around a 1:1 ratio, so 34/30 at least.

However, as this type of cassette appears to be as elusive as unicorns, would I be best to change the RD for a long cage, and whack an 11-34 on there, as these seem to be pretty readily available.

Opinions please - oh and if anyone has seen any of what I need in stock, that would also be appreciated.
CRC seem to have virtually nothing in stock - Tredz are a bit better, woolyhatshop have some stuff, and just about to check Merlin.

She's not really bothered about lightness etc, so if I did go new RD & new Cassette, would I be safe to go Tiagra for example?

Or should I look to get one of those RD extenders, that bolt into the fitment point, and then the RD bolts onto the adapter to drop it down lower - do they work ok, any recommended ones if so?

Trying to do it for not much cash really, as it isn't warranted.

daniel_b · June 2021

So far, my research is leading me towards a tenners worth of Sunrace RD Extender.

And possibly a SRAM 12-32 cassette for circa £45.
I know they will fit the freehub, but do they tend to shift as crisply, and any recommendation if I do go the SRAM route as to whether I should go Shimano or SRAM chain, as I will change that at the same time.

She's not a demon descender so won't miss that 11 tooth, and it will mean the gears are a little bit less gappy than the only Shimano option I can easily find which is an 11-34.

*I now have found an Shimano 11-32 in stock if need be.

MattFalle · June 2021

SRAM cassettes fit and work perfectly, just as good as any Shimano cassettes.

If you find an SRAM one that fits the ratios and you don't have to mess about with mechs and extenders do that

Also consider Miche and Ambrosio, you can order your own bespoke ratio cassettes (Miche) from The Cycle Clinic (Malcolm)

Re chain - KMC or SRAM.

super_davo · June 2021

I have mixed and matched Shimano and SRAM cassettes across all my 10 speed bikes with no issues, and second KMC chains.

And for cassettes, don't be afraid of going Tiagra - if you use the 105 locknut from your existing cassette you basically equalise the weight difference. They shift every bit as well and last every bit as long, and they are current range rather than 2 generations old so much easier to get hold of.

daniel_b · June 2021

Thanks all - the bike has a full 105 5700 groupset (Aside from Ultegra shifters and brakes) on, so the rest of it is fine.

I suspect a smaller cog at the front won't be required, she does have a winter bike that has smaller cogs, so that should cover than aspect, and she is pretty strong, just doesn't cover as many miles as she used to.

I'm tempted by the 11-34, but I can't help but feel (Seeing as I hate 11-32 ones due to gaps) that it will be really knock her out of her cadence rhythym with the mahoosive gaps.
If they made a 12-34 I would probably accept that as a compromise, but I don't think that exists as stock fitment.

Her current smallest gear is 1.36, with a 32 it will drop to 1.06, which I suspect which is about a 25% difference, not insignificant on the hills.

I was totally looking at Tiagra, but stock was low, though I did manage to find 11-34 in supply, and one place with an 11-32 - based on the above recommendations though I am erring towards then SRAM to get the 12-32 option, PBK have it for about £45.

I've just has a look at the RD, and have gotten a bit lucky, as it's a 5701 which t'internet tells me will accept up to a 30T - so might I be worth chancing my arm with the B tension screw, or should I just order one of those extender thingies?
Suppose the advantage with the latter is that I would then definitely be able to slot in a 34 should it be needed.

Have always liked the custom cassette ratio idea, but I think it's a bit overkill for the usage this will get although perhaps if she can get up hills more easily, it will encourage her to use it more!

daniel_b · June 2021

ok, I've ordered the 12-32 from PBK for £48, and one of those £10 extender thingies in case I need it.
Just found a 10spd chain in stock, so should be good to go by mid week.

MattFalle · June 2021

Why is custom cassette overkill?

I don't understand.

It gives you all the ratios you want at basically the same price as a cassette with ratios you don't want.

I don't understand

darrell1967 · June 2021

daniel_b said:
Thanks all - the bike has a full 105 5700 groupset (Aside from Ultegra shifters and brakes) on, so the rest of it is fine.

Then it’s not full 105 then is it?

daniel_b · June 2021

darrell1967 said:

daniel_b said:
Thanks all - the bike has a full 105 5700 groupset (Aside from Ultegra shifters and brakes) on, so the rest of it is fine.
Then it’s not full 105 then is it?

lol, no indeed, I bought the Ultegra bits for my CR1, but then landed a 6800 group set for £450 (remember those days) so they migrated over to this build instead.
Still have the original shifters in stock as spares, probably worth a small fortune now!
Though the brakes are going on my upcoming TT bike build.

MattFalle said:
Why is custom cassette overkill?

I don't understand.

It gives you all the ratios you want at basically the same price as a cassette with ratios you don't want.

I don't understand

Ah I had assumed a custom cassette was going to work out fairly pricey, my mistake - had also looked at Miche cassettes before, and opinion seemed to be very divided as to how well it shifted.
Having said all that, and even if they are not pricey, I think a 12-32 is what I was after, and that is what the SRAM one is, probably for a very similar price.

And just seen tis on his site:
"With miche start sprocket are 11t to 16t and finish sprockets 21t to 32t and 34t for shimano 11 speed. "

So no 34T option for 10 spd, so it would have been a custom specced 12-32 :-)

darrell1967 · June 2021

I’ve got a full Ultegra 6800 at home. Wonder what it’s worth.

elbowloh · June 2021

I think 30 is technically the limit for a shortage mech, but I think in practice, many people get away with a 32.

lesfirth · June 2021

I used to run a 5701 gs rear mech with a 11-34 cassette. I used the B screw reversed i.e. with the screw head resting on the gear hanger. It worked fine.

MattFalle · June 2021

darrell1967 said:
I’ve got a full Ultegra 6800 at home. Wonder what it’s worth.

You won't be able to retire on it but you might an alright lunch down the pub.

MattFalle · June 2021

daniel_b said:

darrell1967 said:

daniel_b said:
Thanks all - the bike has a full 105 5700 groupset (Aside from Ultegra shifters and brakes) on, so the rest of it is fine.
Then it’s not full 105 then is it?
lol, no indeed, I bought the Ultegra bits for my CR1, but then landed a 6800 group set for £450 (remember those days) so they migrated over to this build instead.
Still have the original shifters in stock as spares, probably worth a small fortune now!
Though the brakes are going on my upcoming TT bike build.
MattFalle said:
Why is custom cassette overkill?

I don't understand.

It gives you all the ratios you want at basically the same price as a cassette with ratios you don't want.

I don't understand
Ah I had assumed a custom cassette was going to work out fairly pricey, my mistake - had also looked at Miche cassettes before, and opinion seemed to be very divided as to how well it shifted.
Having said all that, and even if they are not pricey, I think a 12-32 is what I was after, and that is what the SRAM one is, probably for a very similar price.

And just seen tis on his site:
"With miche start sprocket are 11t to 16t and finish sprockets 21t to 32t and 34t for shimano 11 speed. "

So no 34T option for 10 spd, so it would have been a custom specced 12-32 :-)

Miche shift fine. Go for what ratios work best/you want

daniel_b · June 2021

lesfirth said:
I used to run a 5701 gs rear mech with a 11-34 cassette. I used the B screw reversed i.e. with the screw head resting on the gear hanger. It worked fine.

Nifty!

darrell1967 · June 2021

MattFalle said:

darrell1967 said:
I’ve got a full Ultegra 6800 at home. Wonder what it’s worth.
You won't be able to retire on it but you might an alright lunch down the pub.

Round my way it’ll get a starter.

daniel_b · June 2021

Noticed PBK were showing out of stock of the 12-32 on Friday, so spoke to them on live chat, the chap was helpful and was of the opinion that a set amount of stock was earmarked, and I had bagged one from my order earlier this month, but that that batch was now sold out so I should be fine.

Just now I get a 'sorry your order is cancelled' e-mail

Ordered a Tiagra 11-32 from elsewhere for £27 instead, so £20 saved.

daniel_b · July 2021

So tonight I atually managed to find some time to make a start

Removed wheel gave bike a good clean, included getting rid of any gunk on the jockey wheels - she doesn't wash it very often if at all :-(

Lockring removed, cassette a little bit reluctant to leave the freehub, but got it off with some gentle persuasion - guess it has been on there for about 7 years, though not many miles, teeth still look in good condition.

Removed the chain from bike.

New cassette installed, no spacers needed, all tightened up - put wheel back on the bike.

Tried the shifting out sans chain, and the jockey wheels are making contact on the 28, and clearly the 32 - as expected I guess, as I am fairly sure its an SS.

I ran out of time at that point, so will tackle fitting the chain another day, but I have a question.

The way I found of sorting chain length is to ignore the RD, and loop the chain around the biggest cog at both the front and the rear, and then add 2 links, that seems reliable, and I've never had any issues.

However, I am a tad concerned about doing that in this instance, as if the B screw is not sufficient to make it clear the 32, I will need to bring into play the RD extender I bought, I forget the make, but like a dog fang or something like that, which effectively makes the RD a long cage.

However if I have to do that, do we think the chain would then need to be longer?

I'm also not sure if it's a fair test to just try and wind the B screw in as fas as it will go, or even remove it as mentioned above, and invert, or whether with the chain fitted this would also affect where the jockey wheels sit, and may combined with the B screw be sufficient.

I know it's not an expensive part, but it would majorly pee me off if I made it too short and then had to buy another one - no other 10 spd bikes in our house, so can't easily be re-purposed.

daniel_b · July 2021

Re reading the thread properly it does look like this RD should go to 30 with no issues, so in theory just winding that screw in/reversing it should do the trick as it did for Les.

Shimano 105 5700 10spd - what are my rear cassette options? (And where to buy?!)

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