You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Currently have a mish mash 11 speed set up with an Sram XG1150 cassette that's on it last legs. Really like the 1150's as they shift well and last a looooong time.
However, I'm starting to feel like a slightly easier gear or two might not be a bad thing. So other than the expensive Garbaruk & E13 cassettes, is there anything else with a 46t and XD fitment? A 28t chainring is also an option but I do use the current 10-30t combo fairly often on road sections.
From personal experience- try the smaller chainring first and see how much you actually need that bit at the top.
Same cassette as you, I was on a 30 and dropped to 26 to tow my daughter in a trailer last winter. Assumed the lack of high gear would annoy me and I’d go back when things dried out. I can still clear 20mph and tbh haven’t felt any great need to go back. I probably will go 28t but only really because it’s available in steel and the 26 isn’t. (29er, raceface cranks).
It may not suit you but I’ll wager a chainring is a much cheaper thing to try first than the cassette. The 1150 cassette is great in terms of weight/cost/wear as well so not one to leave if you can avoid in my opinion at least.
Merlin has the Sunrace MX9 11-46 for £117
https://www.merlincycles.com/sunrace-mx9-xd-cassette-11-speed-148542.html
I have those Sunrace cassettes on all my MTBs.
Surprised to find they last almost as well as the Sram XG1150.
Been hoping some would pop up a bit cheaper in the sales, as I've used all my stock.
But as above, I ride with a 28t chainring on two of my bikes and I never really feel that I don't have a big enough gear.
I've 2 of the 10-42 in stock at £75 each
I’ve 2 of the 10-42 in stock at £75 each
Personally I need the 10-46t, I'm sure someone will be happy to relieve you of those at that price though 🙂
I had XG1150 with 30t chainring on both my FSers but, like you, wanted an easier low gear.
My solution was to go 12sp with XG1275 10-50t cassette, still with a 30t chainring. Cassette has the same 11 ratios covering the 10-42t cogs which are all steel like the XG1150, but adds the alloy 50t cog. Given that I spend more time using the 42t or 36t cogs and only resort to the alloy 50t cog, I hope it proves decently durable.
I appreciate it's not a cheap solution though - in my case I sold my 11sp shifter for more than a 12sp shifter cost, and I needed a new chainring and rear mech anyway so wasn't the worst outcome.
Sunrace from Ali express 👍
Thanks all.
If I decide I need something easier, I'll drop to a 28t chainring. And if that isn't enough, I'll probably go down the Sunrace route and accept the weight penalty.
Sunrace from Ali express 👍
You haven't got a link, have you?
Had a quick look but no luck, that site does my head in.
I had the same issue years ago and its a right pain. So i just swapped the freehub (hope) to hg and went shimano all the way.
If changing chainring have a look at chain reaction. I just bought two race face nw cinch rings for £4 each.
I had one of the Sunrace XD cassettes with 46t. It was great initially, however I managed to shift the chain off the top in to my wheel and it bent the whole thing, so I don't think they're very robust.
I ended up splashing out on a Garbaruk and it's been incredible (as you'd hope). On my 3rd chain with it now and I think it'll last 'til the end of this one. It's also very pretty and light.
I've been running a ZTTO 9-46 lightweight job for a few hundred miles now (maybe as much as 1,000 miles?) and it's fine. If you're a princess and the pea you might be able to tell the difference in shift quality, but after a while you'll likely forget that and just ride.