How To Fit A Bigger Cassette & Ride Uphill With Ease!

How To Fit A Bigger Cassette & Ride Uphill With Ease! | Maintenance Monday

Рет қаралды 159,275

Күн бұрын

We’ve all been there, riding up a tough climb and you go to switch gears but realise you’re already in the biggest sprocket! If only you had one more, you’d be flying up that hill! Well, as it turns out, fitting a bigger cassette is not that difficult and could have you riding uphill with ease! Ollie will take you through all the steps in this maintenance guide.
0:00 Intro
0:18 What Tools Do I Need?
1:02 How Big A Cassette Can I Use?
2:28 Remove Your Old Cassette
3:33 Fit Your New Cassette
5:12 Remove Your Old Chain
6:07 Check Your Rear Derailleur
7:06 Fit & Size Your New Chain
9:29 Final Checks
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Пікірлер: 175

@gcntech 2 жыл бұрын

Did you find this useful? What other maintenance videos would you like to see us do?

@janeh4908 2 жыл бұрын

@GCN Tech can you show us how to adjust Di2 to use non standard gearing (eg 52-34 rings) as Shimano E-Tube Pwoject doesn't allow it. TIA

@erwandiping6167 2 жыл бұрын

How to replace tubeless tire properly

@zoladkow 2 жыл бұрын

i mean it's common knowledge, right? right?!?

@zoladkow 2 жыл бұрын

@@janeh4908 ha, i knew there was a catch with happy-go-lucky adoption of more electrnics in bicycle drive 😅 i mean if automotive industry is any indicator 🤷

@janeh4908 2 жыл бұрын

@@zoladkow not to mention the problems a flat battery can cause! 😅

@kenblair2538 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, Ollie. A great life hack for older riders too. In my 30s , I started with the standard 12-26 and 42/52 chain rings. As I progressed through life, that all slowly changed. Now, at age 75 one bike has 11-36 and GRX 46/30 chain rings. Must other bikes are setup for mild hills at 11-34 and 50/34 . When I hit 80 there will be a 11-40 in the rear. Cheers.

@binitbob 2 жыл бұрын

often found climbing 16-18% inclines and being a fat old git. I have put 11-36 on my Ultegra long cage and have even tackled a 25% with no problems. 😂 recommended maximums are not always the actual maximums.

@TheDiablosix6six 2 жыл бұрын

Talking about 32,33 and 36 tooth cassette, while here's me on my MTB with a 52tooth cassette and still struggling!! 😂😂

@Darsithis 2 жыл бұрын

Super useful for my Ridley, my backup bike. It’s a 53-39 chainring to an 11-28 cassette and climbs like a lead brick

@remembertheporter 2 жыл бұрын

"Make sure you use a torque wrench" he said... while very blatantly not being arsed to get the torque wrench... My kind of maintenance vid!

@core2zero 2 жыл бұрын

big bolts and nuts that are not into carbon are measured in uga ugas

@philipcooper8297 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought a 11-34 cassette for my road bike. Perfect timing, GCN.

@CMZPICTURES 2 жыл бұрын

Me too.😃

@korclo 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve just got the new 12 speed ultegra, always rode the 11-32 with the old 11 speed and didn’t find the spacings too bad, but now have that bail out gear with the 34. With the 11 speed it makes the ratio spacing maybe a little bigger than ideal to get that perfect gear sometimes. But with the 12 speed it’s great. I don’t understand why people would want to leave home with anything less than a 32 on the back on a semi unless you live in a flat area I suppose

@subtropicalken1362 2 жыл бұрын

😏 just did this a few months ago in preparation for summer riding in the NC mountains. Was using a 32 that came with the bike and went to 34. There are some regular routes where I’d have to stop and rest so as not to exceed my MHR. Similar to another poster I am 72 and plan to keep at it. Go out in stride not on your hide. 😳

@robertrjm8115 2 жыл бұрын

I happily since years using a ultegra 6800 with a 36 cassette (long cage) on a specialized roubaix SL4 with a long derailleur hanger. In addition I am using a zephyr 33t front chainwheel (110BCD) combined with a 50T large ring. This gets me up the steepest hills I can ride at my age of 68. Shimano specs are usually very conservative an can be extended by quite some margin without any appreciable loss in performance.

@tweedledee4605 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the chain sizing tips ! Worked well! I recently upgraded to a 36T RD from Sram, without the chain on I just couldn’t get it set up and the RD was touching my spokes. When I set the limit the RD wouldn’t change gear anymore either way. I put the chain on and it fixed the problem and I was able to index the gears correctly, set the limit screws and b screw and I’m now no longer caring about the steep gradients round my area 😂

@Rover200Power 2 жыл бұрын

I spotted Ollie riding up the Wellsway on Saturday afternoon. Looking strong 💪

@nazardemchuk9122 2 жыл бұрын

Ollie! Thank you for the video and nice explanation 👌👌👌 Good video.

@thomasfairburn4520 2 жыл бұрын

Really good video, thanks 🐾🐾

@Ruggine85 2 жыл бұрын

It’s like you read my mind! I’m going to change cassette for an upcoming steeper race, I currenlty have 53/39-11/25 and going to switch to a 11/30 for better climbing. The tip of NOT catching the largest gear woth my derailleur probably saved me a lot of time and headaches. Thanks!!

@jason200912 Жыл бұрын

I have 25 and it's the worst thing ever. Hate that race and road bikes have no uphill perception.

@herculesrockefeller8969 2 жыл бұрын

Nice, Ollie! Thanks!

@kennethelsman3959 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for another instructional video. I learn something new every time I tune in. I do need to say however that I have two bikes with Campagnola parts and two with Shimano parts and I find you fail to mention, on many occasions Campagnola, while being focused on Shimano and SRAM.

@pantani9886 2 жыл бұрын

Campagnolo!

@peterharding1551 2 жыл бұрын

I'm running Ultegra r8000 with a long cage rear mech and wolf tooth road link with 52 36 chainset and 11 46 xt mtb cassette. Works fine. Gear range 126 to 21 gear inches.

@TRAGICbliss Жыл бұрын

Damn, does this setup work for real? Shifting is fine? Can you go big ring to big ring in with this setup?

@peterharding1551 Жыл бұрын

@Jeff Mayfield shifting is fine but I do avoid big ring to big ring. Don’t need it. It will go there but not worth testing.

@henklagerweij2904 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Ollie, In the hack and not a bodge competition you may want to use the KMC chain checker tool? It hooks up both ends of the chain releasing the tension of the rear derailleur. You can easily apply the missing link now without using the quick link plyers. I'm riding a Scrapper Spego 120 with a Sora 3000 set for less than €500.- 50-39-30 front, 13-25 rear. 59 year old.

@arinjayurs378 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video, I think this is for those who want to cycle easier and have the parts/tools

@deanescott3331 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. Convinced me to always use the local bike shop.

@mikequinn 2 жыл бұрын

In the SRAM documentation it says when there is no chain on, the rear derailleur is likely to touch the spokes, this is normal. You do not adjust it based on whether it is touching the spokes or not. You look at the limit screw and adjust so it just touches the body of the derailleur.

@lionelclavier2476 2 жыл бұрын

An Ultegra 6800 séries long cage, fitted with a Wolf tooth road link allows me to fit an XT 11-40 cassette - coupled to 50-34 chainring. Best upgrade for me.

@911norman 2 жыл бұрын

Where on earth do you need 34-40 on a road bike?

@daanprins6730 2 жыл бұрын

@@911norman I was wondering the same, is he climbing mount everest ? Kudos for the ingenuity though

@lionelclavier2476 2 жыл бұрын

@@911norman i am perhaps not as fit as you are ? Just a thought !

@gustavborkenkafer5041 2 жыл бұрын

A great video, thanks Olli! Especially the thing that different derailleur cage lengths can take up different cassettes. But there is one thing I still don't understand and I had that problem as well with many tech clinics: Couldn't you just have a chain, that fits the derailleur cage in length? The little sprocket is always the same size so the chain is never to long when you switch to a smaller cassette. Wouldn't it be way easier to use the method for the chain length where you take little ring and little sprocket and then swap cassettes as needed? And I don't think the smally-small-method is that difficult.

@MrHoward222 2 жыл бұрын

@6:25 or so aren’t the H and L’s the other way round? The H limit screw adjusts the mech’s smallest sprocket stop point surely? And vice versa of course.

@davethedogdude 2 жыл бұрын

I have found that on my bike with an SRAM clutch derailer, I can swap between 11-32 to 11-42 cassettes without having to resize the chain (as long as the chain is sized for the 11-42) and the shifting is still fine. The clutch takes up any chain slack.

@olekmehera7256 2 жыл бұрын

Life hack for people with "old" bikes 2016 bikes or older - when fitting a new cassette just do a 3 tooth jump, for instance i had a 12-25 on my old bike, i decided to put on a 12-28, work a treat, no adjusment anywhere needed same chain and chain rings and its a massive difference too :)

@olekmehera7256 2 жыл бұрын

@@Bu-22 yeah trust me it will be fine! One thing do use a chain checker tool or get one from amazon for like a quid, if the chain is worn to 1% replace the chain but keep it the same length as previous. Mine has 53 links (including quick link) when i upgraded, if the chain is too worn out you gonna get mad skipping. Provided chain isnt stretched beyond replacement you should be fine. I measure mine with a quick link included, if you making a jump from a 28 to 32 or 34 definetely get a new chain and re measure it including the new cassette, 2 or 3 teeth is no issues. Just set and forget :)

@ravennexusmh 2 жыл бұрын

Pah I built a 105 5700 using a sgs cage and p tension spring from lx t670 trekking mech to allow me to use up to a 11-40t. I'm currently using a 11-36 with barely any tension in the b spring. It is big enough that with the 34-50 I've had to use some chain from a 2nd hahaa

@enigma1000 2 жыл бұрын

I’d use a quick release skewer to hold the cassette lock ring loosely in place when removing or installing the lock ring.

@tquindt1 2 жыл бұрын

This is why I paired Rival Etap AXS with a GX AXS Derailleur (10T-52T) setup for my gravel bike. Looking at the AXS app, it's easy to see if your chainring/cassettes are right for the majority of your riding. Are you distributed evenly throughout the cassette, or do you tend to camp out at one end or the other?

@MattSwain1 2 жыл бұрын

In terms of getting the cogs the right way round, make sure all of the etched writing points in the same direction (outwards) or expect a noisy drive-train that won’t stay in gear - I learned this the hard way 😂

@grobbosixtyone 2 жыл бұрын

On Shimano cassettes, the number of teeth on each cog is etched into one side so that side faces out so it can be read

@simonsepic 2 жыл бұрын

It's funny when you done that hill climb I thought this video was coming haha

@jefersonerbrad4461 2 жыл бұрын

I got a 2012 Focus Izalco with a triple chainring (53-42-30). IMHO the best choice for eldery people like me. The cassette is an ultegra 30-11. A 1:1 gear ratio is mandatory, could even be shorter. The next upgrade will probably be a 32-11 or even a 34-11 cassette. I know it's not fashionable, but 30 speeds are much more pleasant than 12, to keep a good steady pace.

@notpablo8369 2 жыл бұрын

What groupset are you using?

@jefersonerbrad4461 2 жыл бұрын

@@notpablo8369 A shimano ultegra 3x10 groupset, current in 2012, but every parts are still available.

@howardbrouwer7463 8 ай бұрын

I have an Ultegra long cage with Di2 and I run a shram 36t with zero issues. I like the 36t much better than the Shimano 34.

@ad9898 2 жыл бұрын

Ultegra 8000 long cage will do a 40t cassette with the B screw wound in and I've used a SRAM red Etap short cage with a roadlink which will give you the use of a 40t cassette, big, big isn't usable though with that set up.

@chawley52 2 жыл бұрын

I've got a 1x GRX drivetrain (38 x 10/42), should I be measuring the chain length differently than shown?

@The1trueDave 2 жыл бұрын

Can you get torque wrenches that fit spanner flats or is it necessary to buy a crow's-foot adapter (ie square drive to spanner)? All the torque wrenches I've ever seen are square drive, ie to be used with sockets...

@kevinthomson6324 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve been wanting to swap my 11-28 to a 11-34 for some time now. Maybe this is the year. Would be nice to have that one-one for my weak legs.

@xsubsquid 2 жыл бұрын

Living in the Adirondack Mountains, I've found it useful to use a long cage SRAM Force rear derailleur and a 10-50 SRAM AXS MTB cassette to provide that greater range a guy like me in his late 50's tends to need. This arrangement works on my Roadie, Gravel Bike and Recumbent Trike. Such a commonality of parts between cycles has the added benefit of making a ready reserve of parts if something fails!

@yoramclade4824 2 жыл бұрын

Great video ending on a slight note of disappointment with Ollie not fitting a KMC gold chain..... XD

@benjaminwolf9801 2 жыл бұрын

Living in the Pittsburgh area where if you aren't going up a hill you are going down one, I have been thinking of just getting a gravel bike with "skinny" tires

@bengt_axle 2 жыл бұрын

Most people only use the largest cog with the smallest chainring. In this combination there is often still enough chain with even with the short cage and using the same chain. If you never cross chain can you just ride this way without fear of damaging anything?

@depthofshine 2 жыл бұрын

Running 105 36/34 and need it over Shropshire and not been that fit and plenty of climbs.

@Mphalama 2 жыл бұрын

Is there a case where you wouldn't replace a chain when switching cassette ? I.e. if you went down a small step from 11-34 to 11-32, are these steps still necessary?

@harrie974 2 жыл бұрын

I did a climb with a 35% incline according to the sign (no joke!). 36 up front, 28 at the back. That was the only time I wished I had a larger cassette🥵.

@JimS870 Жыл бұрын

That would be around the steepest hill in the US!

@joecondron2131 2 жыл бұрын

Best to learn what gear inches first! Old fashioned but so very recommended. My 1x is a 44t x 11-42 cassette. Top gear is 108 inch. Climbing gear is 28.. 650b × 47mm.

@cornishcat11 2 жыл бұрын

why?

@cornishcat11 2 жыл бұрын

why?

@monty2078 2 жыл бұрын

Or just use ratios , much easier to use and easily shows the difference.

@shekofriends 2 жыл бұрын

Changing chain is one thing I stay away touching since they ditched manual shifting. Cycling works simple until they add the key word ‘E’ in front with a rotor attached outward. Wait until app updates…

@alterrex4463 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Ollie! Great video! Why no mention of Campy?

@mrrobinlund 2 жыл бұрын

They never do. Must bring them out in a rash to mention the ‘C’ word.

@jack2seng 2 жыл бұрын

I use 11t - 40T mtb cassette on my bike

@marks3620 2 жыл бұрын

If you are taking off an Ultegra or 105 11 speed like I was the other day when you slide it off the free hub thread a tie wrap through it to keep all the cogs and spacers together in the same order for when you put back on. Shimano 11 speed breaks into lots of parts with the cogs and spacers when slid off without.

@jefferycampbell2243 2 жыл бұрын

When you buy a new Shamino cassette, it comes mounted on a plastic notched cylinder. That cylinder is not just packaging, it is also a guide tool for sliding the entire cassette stack on and off your bikes hub without it separating into individual cogs.

@marks3620 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I saw that on KZfaq when I looked at cassette removal and installation. I didn’t have the small plastic tube though that’s with the new ones as I was taking off a used one and putting it on another wheel.

@sd3457 2 жыл бұрын

I discovered that the hard way but it's super obvious how it goes back together and the spline pattern on the freehub means you can only put the sprockets on in the right orientation.

@andyfryer3615 2 жыл бұрын

Where can you buy a new cassette from to be able to do this??!! Shimano out of stock here in US except for a few price gouging websites.

@tomjom4865 Жыл бұрын

Will i need a new derailier or hub to go from 7spd to 10spd

@olivierhenrat5881 2 жыл бұрын

About chain sizing: the employed method does not take into account the length of the rear derailleur arm. Whether it is long cage or a short cage one should have an impact on optimal chain length, shouldn't it?

@kazuhirofunakoshi689 2 жыл бұрын

(source of flame) Ollie, did you wash and clean the factory grease on your new chain?

@MattSwain1 2 жыл бұрын

I wanted to do this but I’m limited by the length of the rear derailleur arm and with a Di2 set up I think I’m into a world of expense to do this. Instead I’ve got new chain rings on their way, 34/50 instead of 36/52 which the bike was supplied with. Always good to watch these maintenance videos regardless

@petesmitt 2 жыл бұрын

yep.. you can change chainrings but you will lose top end.

@discbrakefan 2 жыл бұрын

@@petesmitt I reckon most people have more than enough with 50-11

@ianphil397 2 жыл бұрын

@@discbrakefan Indeed with a 700c wheel 50-11 is roughly (depending on tire size) 1 to 1 speed in kph vs cadance, eg if you can push 50-11 at 80rpm you'll be doing just under 80Kph.

@-P-Z- 2 жыл бұрын

@@ianphil397 don't believe it works like that. 80rpm at 50-11 is still below 50 KMPH

@ianphil397 2 жыл бұрын

@@-P-Z- Ah you're right. That's awkward, i had my maths wrong. Time to update my spreadsheet!

@dafiltafish 2 жыл бұрын

Of course the hacky way to do this is to reuse the same chain with some extra chain and 2 quick-links, bonus points if the extra bit of chain is a different finish.

@brianwilliam8971 2 жыл бұрын

50/34 11-28 all day. Great combo of cadence, climbing, and tight cassette.

@chilleous2375 2 жыл бұрын

To get around the different chain lengths I add on a small section of extra chain, (kept back from when chain was "trimmed" to fit the usual smaller cassette) using an additional quick link. Does mean the chain has 2 quick links when the big sprockets are out back... removes the faff and investment of having separate chains for each cassette size though.

@karlcullen2011 Жыл бұрын

Should have watched this video before ordering an 11-34 cassette 😮

@durianriders 2 жыл бұрын

You can run a 32 cassette with any 11spd Di2 rear derailleur. The latest series 11spd R8000 and RD9100 will handle a 36 tooth. How do I know? Ive installed them hundreds of times. If you want to run a 40 cassette then yes you will need a GS type 11spd R8000 or R7000.

@ooojamaflip 2 жыл бұрын

Aint no mountain high enough for our Ollie.

@DanTuber 2 жыл бұрын

if you go down in gearing eg. 11-30 to 11-28, do you need a shorter chain or can you get away with the existing one?

@sd3457 2 жыл бұрын

No need to swap if your biggest sprocket gets smaller, the maximum amount of chain the mech has to "wrap up" in the combination of smallest chainring and smallest sprocket hasn't changed. Depending how long you've been running that chain and cassette combo together though, you may want to put a new chain with a new cassette to minimise wear.

@MikeMerton Жыл бұрын

Can anyone tell me if an 11-34 cassette is compatible with 105 DR-R7000 rear dreaileur

@jackiechan8840 2 жыл бұрын

I've done this recently, and according to Shimano my largest rear cog is a few teeth too large to be compatible without a long RD arm. Seems to work fine however.

@mihalis1010 2 жыл бұрын

it'll work, but it's not recommended. I have no idea why it isn't though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

@monty2078 2 жыл бұрын

I agree. I am running a 40.

@kaungm Жыл бұрын

Is there any UCI rule for using against larger cassette bigger than 34? How about MTB cassette and rear derailleur? #askgcn

@billkallas1762 2 жыл бұрын

Since I live in the second flattest State in the US, I just switched from a 12-23 to a 12-25 when I got real old.....I can remember when the old 7400 Dura Ace has a max gear of 26. Then the 7700 has a max of 27, and the 7800 had a max of 28. Now the are building Dura Ace that can take a 34.....When will it end.

@mrvwbug4423 2 жыл бұрын

10-51 MTB cassette on road bike haha

@billkallas1762 2 жыл бұрын

@@mrvwbug4423 If they need a 51 in back, they should get an E-Bike.

@pancakekun9008 2 жыл бұрын

Those many spokes matters??? I hav been using 34/34 spokes wheels and now I've upgrade my wheel its now 20/20 spokes

@Membrillo81 2 жыл бұрын

I'm running a 14-40 (a mix of a XT 11-40 and a Ultegra 14-28) on a RD R7000. Shifting is fine for me (sometimes a bit odd where the Ultegra and XT cogs meet). Best "downgrade" for the super steep roads of Taiwan.