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I usually use cheap (Deore) cassettes but got a good deal on a SRAM chain and PC970 cassette when building up my current bike. After the first chain change I found that the chain was skipping, I usually get 2 or 3 chains to a Deore cassette so decided to change the cassette. With Shimano Deore cassettes the 5 largest cogs go on as a block with the 2 smaller cogs going on seperately and this is how the SRAM went on too so it was with some suprise that I found that once taken off to change the cassette it came apart in my hands.
I was left with a pile of cogs and plastic spacers amongst which was a small pin with a couple of mms of thread at the end (and a tiny allen head). Clearly then the SRAM cassette was designed to come apart, although presumably not during riding, so can I actually buy replacement cogs (I've never actually seen any). I assume that the cogs losening on the freewheel won't lead to premature wear since they'll be fixed on the splines (and some expensive cassettes, like XTR, go on seperatelya anyway).
In terms of rebuilding the cassette are there specific spacers that go between certain cogs, or are the spacers interchangeable. Should there be only one fixing pin or have I lost some whilst riding (the Deore cassette I've just fitted appears to have 4 rivets)?
Just in cost terms, I'll probably stick to Deores in the future I CRC have them at under £20 but if replacement cogs are available for SRAM cassettes it might make them more cost effective.
Not sure on replacement cogs but from memory the cogs will only go together one way. Think there is only one pin as well. Take a look at it should be easy enough. The cogs can only go onto the freehub one way.
I've never seen a cassette fall apart. I've taken them apart to clean them from removing the screw.
The advantage is that you can change the ratios as I have a friend who road ratio casette with big cog for hills from a mtb cassette.
The spacers you'd think should be the same but the manufacturers are the best to contact for the spec.
When riding the freehub and lockring should keep the cassette on fully.
With some cassettes that use individual cogs you can flip a cog over when worn to use the unworn side of the teeth. Don't know if it will work for yours but may be worth a try !