12 speed cassette w...
 

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[Closed] 12 speed cassette with less range

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I've been using a Sunrace 12 speed cassette for a while and while the performance with GX is fine, the cassette is pretty heavy at nearly 600g and I don't really need the range of 11-50 on that bike.

Are there any options for reducing the range and saving weight at the same time without spending a lot? I know a GX cassette will be lighter for the same range, or I could go back to 11 speed, but that would cost too much. Ideally I'm looking for an 11-36 or 11-38 cassette if such a thing exists?


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 10:40 am
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Sure thing exists... Providing you are happy to splash 300 EUR 😀

https://r2-bike.com/ROTOR-Cassette-12-speed


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 10:58 am
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Saw off the big sprockets that you don't use. Replace with spacers. Adjust limit screws to give yourself 8, 9, 10 or whatever gears.

You're welcome 😁


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 11:42 am
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Can't see the advantage of 12 speed, or even 11 speed. You can get a 10 speed 11-36 cassette and a new shifter for less than the price of a dinner-plate cassette.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 12:56 pm
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Maybe look at a road cassette? They do have 11-40t available in 12 speed. I know 10 and 11 speed cassettes work with MTB mechs so might be worth checking out spacing.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 12:59 pm
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You can get a 10 speed 11-36 cassette and a new shifter for less than the price of a dinner-plate cassette.

Yes but my mech is 12 speed. I'm sure I read 12 speed has a different cable pull per gear than 10 speed.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 6:47 pm
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It’s the sprocket spacing not the cable pull that will matter.
That said I don’t know if it’s the same. 10 spd and 11spd road and mtb was I think, so a 12 spd road cassette is worth investigating.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 8:05 pm
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10-36 Force cassette?


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 8:29 pm
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Any 10-whatever cassette is going to require a new freehub though!


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 8:33 pm
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No it’s not. If he’s got a sun race cassette it’ll be an HG freehub so any 10 or 11 speed cassette will also fit.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 8:48 pm
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It’s the sprocket spacing not the cable pull that will matter.

I know but a 10 speed shifter won't work with a 12 speed mech as far as I know.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 8:51 pm
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@dhrider I was referring to the 10-36 force cassette suggested by @robowns. That will need a XD freehub. HG will not take a 10t small sprocket.

@mjsmke if you dropped two sprockets off a 12 speed cassette you can use your 12 speed shifter and mech. Just set the upper limit screw correctly and the shifter will be unable to click into the last two positions.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 8:55 pm
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You’ll find an 11-46 12 speed cassette on eBay/aliexpress which tightens the range a bit but won’t give a huge weight saving.

Rotor has been mentioned, otherwise there isn’t anything else in the mythical 11-40 range (unless reluctantjumper wants to share a link)


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 10:09 pm
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I know but a 10 speed shifter won’t work with a 12 speed mech as far as I know.

I reckon there's a fair chance it will. And if not, you'll probably get more for a secondhand working 12 speed mech than it will take to buy a new 10 speed mech.

Depends how important the smaller weight cassette is to you.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 10:31 pm
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Its just an idea really. I had an NX cassette at first but after 2 rides it was eating into the freehub body as the smallest 8 or 9 cogs are all separate. In a rush I bought a Sunrace cassette to replace it which works absolutely fine but I rarely use the largest 3 cogs. The bikes set up single speed at the moment so just thinking of options for when I put the gears back on. A road cassette does sound a good option but not found any good options.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 10:50 pm
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Oh FFS just ride it and stop worrying about trivial shit. Get better and enjoy anytime on the bike.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 11:12 pm
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Oh FFS just ride it and stop worrying about trivial shit.

That would wipe out 90% of this forum.


 
Posted : 31/01/2021 11:59 pm
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Oh FFS just ride it and stop worrying about trivial shit.

Might as well just delete my account then.

But to be fair I think I've ended up thinking that way as well (eventually) but it took me a whole lot of trivial concerns to eventually realise that it was all very trivial and not worth the words to type it out.


 
Posted : 01/02/2021 3:26 am
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You can try Campa 12 speed road cassette if you are feeling adventurous... 11/34 Chorus costs "measly" 149 quid (on Merlin Cycles).
But It is probably Campa freehub compatible only and Campa is probably whole different world of cassette spacing.

So yeah, basically, you need to be very, very adventurous to try that 😀

Cheers!
I.


 
Posted : 01/02/2021 8:30 am
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Chop the largest two cogs off a sram cassette. Less range and less weight, no money spent either.


 
Posted : 01/02/2021 8:42 am
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Chop the largest two cogs off a sram cassette. Less range and less weight, no money spent either.

I'd have to buy a sram cassette so lots of money spent.


 
Posted : 01/02/2021 11:21 am
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according to this: http://blog.artscyclery.com/science-behind-the-magic/science-behind-the-magic-drivetrain-compatibility/

shimano 10 speed cassettes are spaced at 3.95mm gaps between the sprockets.

if, as said, your 12 speed derailleur has a cable pull ratio of 1.1 you need a shifter with a pull of about 3.6mm per shift.

shimano 11 speed shifter will do this. you just set the derailleur stops so you never use the no 1 shift, start from 2-11 so when you're at the smallest sprocket there's no further shift available (and leave slack cable)

I used this to confirm that my 10 speed shimano dyna sys mech, 10 speed cassette and 11 speed sram x-actuation shifter all play nicely. and they do.


 
Posted : 02/02/2021 10:49 am

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