How to tell if your cassette is worn?

[E65Ross]

Hi chaps,

Easy to check if your chain is worn, but how do I go about finding out if my cassette needs changing? I'm soon going to stick my old winter wheels on, and I'm wondering if I can get by with the old cassette and chain I used last year. The chain is still ok (hasn't stretched too much), but the cassette is older than the chain.

I should also, possibly, be looking to replace the cassette on my Wahoo Kickr, as that's the cassette I put on it when I got it over a year ago, and I've used it a LOT (around 11.5 days according to trainerroad!). Then there's the cassette on my rs80 wheels as well

Cheers.

[Jimbo.]

Teeth like ninja stars and the chain slipping under load are the usual signs.

Chains will be replaced before cassettes, so the cassette being older than the chain isn't necessarily a deal breaker.

[MrBarry123]

Other than a visual inspection of the cassette teeth, the only symptom I can think of is when the chain skips when cranking.

Typically the aim is to change your chain before it stretches and damages the cassette teeth as a result.

ETA: Jimbo got in before me, what he said!

[ED209]

On the subject of cassettes can I simply replace an 11x28 with an 11x32 without changing the deralieur? (10sp tiagra)

[Moaningroadie]

ED209 said:

On the subject of cassettes can I simply replace an 11x28 with an 11x32 without changing the deralieur? (10sp tiagra)

Long cage definitely, short cage maybe. You may need to think about chain length too.

[anonymous-user]

As above. If it isn't skipping under load, it don't need replacing.

[Barchettaman]

ED209 said:

On the subject of cassettes can I simply replace an 11x28 with an 11x32 without changing the deralieur? (10sp tiagra)

12/30 will be OK.

11/32 might need a Wolf Tooth hanger/ longer chain/ large or mid cage mech.

[wobert]

Barchettaman said:

ED209 said:

On the subject of cassettes can I simply replace an 11x28 with an 11x32 without changing the deralieur? (10sp tiagra)

12/30 will be OK.

11/32 might need a Wolf Tooth hanger/ longer chain/ large or mid cage mech.

I have 12/30 on my Genesis with 10 speed Tiagra. Was 11/28. Straight swap from memory.

[ALawson]

Don't they say every 3 chain changes change the cassette. I am assuming when it goes just past 50% wear. I normally change my chains when they are mid point between 50 and 75% wear.

Have a garage full of cassettes that are probably all ok.

[Bill]

While we're on cassettes... Mine has a bit of slack in the system and the cranks will turn a little (I haven't measured, but may be 1/8 of a rotation.) before the cassette engages and the wheel is driven. It's not really noticeable apart from when I free wheel for a bit and then start to pedal again or ease off while pedalling so I'm not pushing as hard.

[ALawson]

Thats probably engagement of the freehub that is a problem, unless the freehub is that worn that the cassette is moving on it.

[Bill]

Now that I've googled and know what a free hub is that sounds right, cheers.

[E65Ross]

Thanks chaps. By the sounds of it my cassettes are fine. Will get through the winter and replace them all next spring. Trouble with having 2 sets of wheels and a direct drive trainer is.....3 cassettes! Ultegra ones at £40 each....plus new chains it starts getting quite expensive doesn't it!

[ALawson]

Just buy the cheapest cassettes and chains for the trainer and winter bike. The rotating mass is so close to the hub it will hardly make any difference whatsoever.

[E65Ross]

ALawson said:

Just buy the cheapest cassettes and chains for the trainer and winter bike. The rotating mass is so close to the hub it will hardly make any difference whatsoever.

Has to be the same size cassette as what I'm running on my wheels, 12-30T 10 speed, so I'll have a look what else is out there other than Ultegra.