MTB Cassettes Black Friday: 7 to 12 speed deals

From 7 to 12 speeds: which cassette for which mountain bike?

Leisure mountain bikes often have 7, 8, or 9 speeds, with two or three chainrings: the Shimano Alivio CS-HG400 or Sram PG-850 and PG-950 cassettes are meant for them. 10 and 11 speeds are used on many touring and trail mountain bikes, typically equipped with Deore CS-M4100 or XT CS-M8000. The 12-speed has become standard on recent single-chainring mountain bikes: Deore 10-51, SLX CS-M7100 and XTR CS-M9100 from Shimano, and Eagle XG-1275 from Sram. In all cases, the cassette has as many sprockets as your shifter has clicks.

Single-chainring: the big sprocket defines the range

Without a front derailleur, the entire range of development relies on the cassette, resulting in very wide gear ratios: 11-42 or 11-46 in 10 and 11 speeds, 10-51 or 11-51 in 12 speeds. A larger sprocket makes climbing easier, but each rear derailleur has a maximum size it can handle, and the chain must accommodate the length. E*Thirteen starts with a smaller 9-tooth sprocket, allowing for a smaller chainring while maintaining the same development. Therefore, moving from an 11-42 to an 11-51 requires preparation with the derailleur and the chain.

Freehub body and versions: assessing a deal

Two 12-speed cassettes may not fit the same wheel. A Shimano cassette that starts with 10 teeth requires a Micro Spline body, while a Sram cassette with 10 teeth needs an XD body; cassettes that start with 11 teeth generally fit onto a Shimano HG body. For Sram, the PG mentioned on this page are listed for Shimano bodies, while the GX XG-1150 in 10-42 requires an XD body. Then check the exact ratio since the same reference may come in different ranges and packages: some Sunrace cassettes are sold with their chain. A struck-out price is therefore only comparable to a cassette with the same ratio and contents: a Sunrace that comes with its chain is not comparable to a standalone cassette.

Chain, derailleur, and related pages

A new cassette often comes with a chain that matches the number of speeds, which you can choose from the mountain bike chains in Black Friday; a larger sprocket may require one of the rear mountain bike derailleurs on offer. The mountain bike transmission includes all these parts, and the page for bike cassettes in Black Friday covers all practices, with selections for road and urban. An older generation cassette can also be found in the clearance section, with a recent reference in the new arrivals.

The mountain bike cassette brands in the promotion

Shimano offers cassettes for all speeds, from the Alivio CS-HG51 in 8 speeds to the XTR CS-M9100 in 12, including the Deore, SLX, and XT models.

Sram provides its PG cassettes for Shimano bodies, from the PG-730 in 7 speeds to the PG-1130 and PG-1170 in 11, as well as the GX XG-1150 and Eagle XG-1275.

Sunrace, owner of Sturmey-Archer, focuses on wide ratios, with the MS8 in 11-46 or MZ603 in 12 speeds 11-51, and sells some cassettes in sets with their chain.

Tektro, known for its brakes, offers a 9-speed cassette in 11-46, the CS-M350.

E*Thirteen manufactures its Helix Race with 12 speeds in two parts, where the aluminium sprockets are replaceable, starting from a smaller 9-tooth sprocket.

Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if a mountain bike cassette is worn?

The clearest sign: with a new chain, the transmission skips under load on the sprockets you use the most. Sharp or deformed teeth confirm this. First, measure the elongation of the chain, which will wear the cassette.

Can a 12-speed cassette be fitted to an 11-speed transmission?

No. Switching to 12 speeds requires a 12-speed shifter, derailleur, and chain, and sometimes a different freehub body.

Which cassette for an electric mountain bike?

The motor's torque wears out sprockets and chains faster. Choose a cassette with the correct number of speeds, preferably one that is advertised for that use, like the e*spec version of the Helix Race.

When can you take advantage of Black Friday deals on cassettes?

The Friday after Thanksgiving marks Black Friday, but at Vélo-Store the promotions on mountain bike cassettes last all through November. Use this time to compare like for like: same number of speeds, same ratios, same freehub body, with or without a chain.

Should you change the chain with the cassette?

Most of the time, yes: an elongated chain skips on a new cassette, and a new chain skips on a worn cassette. Changing both together ensures a healthy transmission.