Trying to decide between buying an 11-50 Garbaruk or changing my freehub and going XD or MS...
8m running a 10-50 11 speed. Very happy with it. Shifts as well as the SRAM it replaced but for less money.
I've got one - 10-50 - works very well. I'd managed to wear out my Eagle drivetrain after 2.5 years, so I had to change chainring, chain and cassette - jockey wheels appeared unused and I'm putting that down to the Squirt wax I use.
Anyway, I had to replace it all whilst everywhere was out of stock and a KMC chain, Garabruk chainring and cassette were the only things in stock.
Fitted everything and it works very well...however, if in the bigger rings (largest or second largest), then at time, the chain will drop off to a smaller cog if pedal backwards - not whilst riding the bike, but if getting on the bike and turning the pedal to get engaged. I think this is more likely down to the design of the KMC chain more than the cassette though.
Absolutely no issues with the set up whilst riding, shifts well and it was cheaper than buying the available SRAM kit (which was XX1 and I couldn't afford it!).
I've a couple a 10-50 XD an 11-52 Shimano, both have been great. cheaper and lighter than SRAM top end cassettes and no real disadvantages other than have to wait a month or two for delivery. Shifting is almost, very almost comparable to SRAM, but will depend on your set up.
They are also the only anodised cnc bike part that's made me go wow! Since about 1998....
10-50 on the gravel bike, only a few hundred k on it but really impressed with shifting, the shifts seem instant and near silent, using it with a GX AXS mech. Think it looks great too, finish is really nice (boring silver and black mind) and it's as light as they say it is. Obviously can't comment on longevity yet.
HG stock out where you are?
Over here in China, MS is looking to be the first stock to go out of stock. XD are extortionate pricing, but HG still with plenty stock in 11/10/9 speed. There are ways to get that HG stock, although postage has gotten expensive.
Did folk use the extra mech 'link' too?
HG & MS in stock here, no idea on postage to China
https://r2-bike.com/GARBARUK-Cassette-12-speed-11-52-Teeth-for-Shimano-HG-11-speed-Freehub
https://r2-bike.com/GARBARUK-Cassette-12-speed-10-52-Teeth-for-Shimano-Micro-Spline
Wow! You certainly pay for 200g skimmed off.
I more stick with deore class MS cassettes, and they're pretty much out of stock now (what's left going for £115!) with 3rd party, I guess Alivio quality cassettes costing £35.50-40. Slower shifting, but solid.
I think the point is that you pay a lot less for that 200g with Garbaruk than you do with say XTR or XX1. They’re also the only ones doing lightweight, 12s options for HG freehubs.
Also 200g might not sound a lot, but when you consider that 1x has already shifted a lot of weight from the middle of the bike to the back, a further concentration of that weight in the centre of the rear wheel is noticeable, or it is to my anyway.
My concern was the early reports of fragility and whether the in coated steel cassette would corrode.
intheborders
Free Member
Did folk use the extra mech ‘link’ too?
Depends what speed and range you're using. At the time 50T was too much for an 11 speed Shimano mech so I got the cage (and jockey wheels) with the cassette.
However, I believe the Shimano 11 and 12 speed mechs have the same cable pull so the easy answer would be a 12 speed mech with the 11 speed shifter.
My SLX M7000 11spd shifter and mech work very well with the 11-50 cassette. Didn't need to change the mech cage or use goat link
My concern was the early reports of fragility and whether the in coated steel cassette would corrode.
No problems with fragility from me. Regards rusting, if used regularly and with a properly lined chain then you should have no issues. If you only use the bike in the summer and leave it in a damp garage (like to with my road bike), then it will rust.
For those querying weight vs cost vs benefits, it's the same as any part on the bike - the higher end you go the more you pay. Some think paying high-end on a wear item it nuts but to me it's almost 250g or ½ a pound in one of the most essential handling parts of the bike - I'd rather pay more for a cassette than a higher end mech and shifter or carbon bars etc. It's just that these parts are flashier than a boring old cassette.
Mines been on my Banshee for nearly a year now. 11-46 HG model. Used with an SLX and Xt mech. Shifting has always been really good, its still in good nick despite my lack of mechanical sympathy and the Welsh weather. Think it's on it's third chain now.
Delivery was a real pain and took ages and the cose vs a regular XT cassette was a bit tough to swallow, but I much prefer the jumps between gears on the garbaruk. I'd get one on the gravel bike as well and go 1x, but I'd have to change too much other stuff to make that happen.
I’d get one on the gravel bike as well and go 1x, but I’d have to change too much other stuff to make that happen.
This is what I was looking at, with Force 1 - once the cassette wears out.
I'll be trying these once my current XX1 cassette are completely worn out, as said above, quality and weight is why i choose top end, and i can
I've had / got three. The first one I forgot to measure the chain so I could not replace the chain,,,the cassette and chain lasted over 2000 miles. I use 11sp 10-50. I get the same range as Eagle but with one sprocket less, better shifting, less temperamental than 12sp to knocks.
Have the 12sp hg and it works well so far, never spent more than 100 on a cassette before, and that was the 1230 hg 12 speed.
They look nice, shift just like the sram and xt I have used, only issue is they’re definitely not for ebikes, that hg interface looks pretty lightweight.
They look nice, shift just like the sram and xt I have used, only issue is they’re definitely not for ebikes, that hg interface looks pretty lightweight.
Id second that for Garbaruk's and pretty much any other light weight cassette with an HG interface - ebikes would not be their (or an HG freehubs) friend.
They are lovely though, I never contemplated buying one until seeing them in the bike shop, they had a few in stock, damn shiny bits and my relapse into bike tartism 😂
Shut up and ride in Bristol do them and had stock, give them a shout if you’re local, or afar 😁
I like mine, with SRAM shifter and chain with Shimano rear mech.
I've an Sroad cassette from China to put on my other bike, same weight, same machined billet with largest sprocket aluminium, but £100 cheaper. It was delivered in 10 days as well. Might be worth a look?
I just took delivery of a lovely 11-46 11 speed Shimano one... looks great, is super light and shifts great... HOWEVER, the cylindrical carrier that sits between the two splined mounts for the cassette is loose and rattles badly, even with the cassette tightened to Garbaruk recommended 45nm... any ideas?
When I've played with shimano cassettes in the past they've needed a washer behind the cassette to stop movement like you describe
Lady at Garbaruk just said the same over email!
Looking to go this route with a 11-50 and a 34T on the front using their long cage and pulleys on. aSRAM mtb mech, but finding all the relevant bits in one shop is proving difficult. Don't want too import so looking at a UK supplier - anyone know of anywhere?
Have you thought about a ZTTO slr2 cassette. I’ve been using them in 11speed HG setup with shimano XTR and Di2 and they are lasting well, probably done 400 miles on one thru some rubbish conditions and it still shifts fine.
I'm lucky (now skint) enough to have X01 12sp and Garbaruk 11sp on my bikes. The cassettes on both are things of beauty and worth buying just for the engineering quality they portray whilst sat still.
Fortunately both work very well. The Garbaruk is 11-50 and on my hardtail. Bought it direct with a cage but didn't need the cage on the 11sp XT mech. Had to wait about 4 months for it last year though.
So far not done many miles on either really (another story) but if you can find stock I'd be very happy to recommend the Garbaruk cassettes.
No complaints here.
And when you get it out of the box and ping it with your finger it just sings. That alone makes it worthwhile.
looking at a UK supplier
Though you'll end up paying the same or more than going direct to Garbaruk, you'll still have to wait but at least you get a UK warranty route if that floats your boat.
I think slam69 can also import for you as well although they aren't distributors.
Well, a spacer sorted my issue and I’m well chuffed... ordered an 11sp 11-46 direct last Tues and it arrived Friday... assuming it lasts I’ll buy again.
Good to hear, mine hasn't made a peep, but it's 12 speed, so that'll more than likely be the answer. What size spacer did you fit, i know they do the 2mm one to work their cassettes on road freehubs, but didn't know they had that issue with 11 sp?
I used a 1.8... it was on a road wheelset for the gravel bike so makes sense, although the previous (XTR) cassette didn’t need one and the Garbaruk one seemed to be locked right with no play other than that tube... anyway, all good now
Thanks monkeyboyjc, just ordered some bits from them. Guy there was really helpful and said his lead times were now much shorter than advertised on his website
Biketart.co.uk have 11 speed XD and 12 speed HG Garbaruk cassettes in stock.
Just as a side note, I recently got a new Garbaruk 12spd cassette as I thought mine was worn after lots of miles. Had an issue with the new cassette, contacted Garbaruk and they got a replacement to me quickly and with no hassle, excellent customer service. Even better, what I thought might have been a worn cassette turned out to be a bent hanger, so the original cassette is back on working perfectly and I have a beautiful new shiny spare sat here waiting for me 🙂
