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cassette sizes


bikemad's picture

By bikemad - Posted on 07 March 2008

folks,what is the difference between 11-28 or 11-32 in a rear cassette?is it the number of teeth and does it make much difference having an 8 speed over a 9(apart from the obvious 3 less gears),cheers.

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Rob's picture

Try riding up a steep hill in 28 instead of 32 (or 34) and you'll soon find out! Eye-wink

I would have thought that it's technically possible to put an 8 speed cassette on a 9 speed system (but not visa-versa) so long as you adjust the derailleur accordingly, but why would you want to!?

Erm... actually, it's probably not 'cos the chain on a 9 speed will be thinner of course, so the cogs on the 8 speed cassette will probably not fit between the links.

Justin's picture

I put a 9 speed on an 8 speed once... removed the 2nd smallest ring and used a spacer. Actually, I think the bike is still that way, and it's done sydney to the gong that way a couple of times!

and the chain is thinner in width - but there is plenty of space still, look down on the chain. - I don't think there would be any problem putting an 8 on a 9, change the stops.

However, if you have an 8-speed cassette it means a 24-speed bike. Which I think these days, is either a very old bike, or very cheap. Most bikes $500 and up come with 27 speeds these days (perhaps apart from the comfort bikes?)

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