Custom cassettes with less than 8 sprockets?
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:33 pm
Modifying a cassette to remove unneeded sprockets. Has anyone attempted this? I searched the forum and did not see any mention of it.
I am new to the game and not an advanced mechanic.
custom cassette idea:
1. remove the cassette
2. take out the thin bolt that holds the sprockets together, if there is one
3. Pull out unneeded sprockets... get it down between 3 or 7.
4. reassemble without the thin bolt
5. Use extra cassette spacers to fill in the space left over (plastic ones for more weight savings?)
6. Reattach cassette (a handful of loose sprockets and spacers at this point)
7. Adjust your rear derailleur so you can't shift out of the now-smaller cassette
concerns and complications
* sprockets have ramps and pins(?) -- this may affect quality of shifting
* your rear derailleur might not be adjustable enough to keep it within the range of this smaller cassette. Possibly remedied by replacing one of the adjuster screws
* the smallest sprocket will not thread past the outer edge of the cassette body (since these sprockets have what I would describe as a "lip"). You can still use the smallest sprocket, but only if your build allows you to align the custom cassette to the outside of the cassette body. Alternatively, if you are willing to drop the smallest sprocket, you could place your new cassette anywhere on the cassette body
I have not given this a try, but I'm considering it. Any thoughts?
I am new to the game and not an advanced mechanic.
custom cassette idea:
1. remove the cassette
2. take out the thin bolt that holds the sprockets together, if there is one
3. Pull out unneeded sprockets... get it down between 3 or 7.
4. reassemble without the thin bolt
5. Use extra cassette spacers to fill in the space left over (plastic ones for more weight savings?)
6. Reattach cassette (a handful of loose sprockets and spacers at this point)
7. Adjust your rear derailleur so you can't shift out of the now-smaller cassette
concerns and complications
* sprockets have ramps and pins(?) -- this may affect quality of shifting
* your rear derailleur might not be adjustable enough to keep it within the range of this smaller cassette. Possibly remedied by replacing one of the adjuster screws
* the smallest sprocket will not thread past the outer edge of the cassette body (since these sprockets have what I would describe as a "lip"). You can still use the smallest sprocket, but only if your build allows you to align the custom cassette to the outside of the cassette body. Alternatively, if you are willing to drop the smallest sprocket, you could place your new cassette anywhere on the cassette body
I have not given this a try, but I'm considering it. Any thoughts?