jacksbike

Hi Folks,
I own a 2005 Trek 7500 FX hybrid and need to replace the cassette and chain. I checked the original specs which shows a SRAM 9 speed cassette. Can I replace it with a Shimano hyperglide or uniglide cassette instead ? If so, how do I determine which of the many Shimano 9 speed cassettes that are offered is the correct one ? Do I have to buy an original Shimano 9 speed chain or can I use a KMC or something else ? Thanks in advance for any advice/answers !!

Davet

SRAM and Shimano cassettes are fully interchangeable, you’re not stuck using one brand or the other.

Likewise 9-speed chains are interchangeable. Any brand you like will do.

jacksbike

OK, great ! I want to use a Shimano as a replacement - will any Shimano 9 speed cassette work ( I do not need or want to use an Ultegra, etc-)

dsbrantjr

SRAM and Shimano cassettes are interchangeable. There are various levels of cost/quality/weight/materials but all work pretty much the same. You won't go wrong by choosing a cassette with the same cog sizes as the current one; you will need to determine if your rear derailleur will handle one with a larger big cog for lower gearing if you choose to go that route. I prefer to stay away from cassettes with an 11-tooth small cog although they are not as easy to find.
You can use any 9-speed chain but I prefer SRAM, KMC, Wippermann or others which use a master link to close the chain rather than the Shimano special joining pin. You will need a chain tool to cut the chain to length as it will probably be longer than you need. You do not need a tool to install the master link but it helps to have one to open it although it is not strictly necessary. It is important to get the chain length right, it must be long enough to engage the large front/large rear combination freely: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/deraile...ent.html#chain

Bill Kapaun

It appears your bike came with an 11-34T cassette.
You'll have no problem if the largest cog doesn't exceed 34T.
You "might" be able to go to 36T, but no guarantee. It just depends on the specific RDER & frame/dropout geometry.

jimc101

By what you're saying, you're limiting yourself to a small number of cassettes.

for 9 speed, the brand is pretty much unimportant, if you need an 11-34, and your options are pretty much limited to Shimano HG400/M770, SRAM PG9*0 series cassettes or Sunrace CSM 9 speed series cassettes. There was never an Ultegra cassette which came near a 34t in 9 speed.

Will you get any better shifting by changing cassette brands, probably not, especially if you don't change the chain, and hopefully the gear cables, and check the deraileur alignment, which does lead to the question of why the cassette needs to be replaced at all? when nothing else is mentioned as needing to be replaced.

jacksbike

Thank you everyone for your great advice

phughes

The bike is a 2005, perhaps the cassette is worn, as is the chain he said he was replacing. And of course you should replace the cassette and chain at the same time. HIs question was specific to whether or not you could use a SRAM or Shimano cassette interchangeably. That is all he asked. If I were to ask a question like that, I wouldn't bore everyone by listing everything else I planned on changing, that had nothing to do with he question I needed answered.

Bill Kapaun

You DON'T have to use an 11-3XT cassette.
You may actually prefer a more "road friendly" cassette such as a 12-25T or similar.
If your terrain is flat, a different choice would be more useful.
IF you never use the 11 or 34T, why get a cassette that has them?

hokiefyd 

Shimano makes an HG200-9 in 11-34 that would be perfect for your bike. It's relatively inexpensive and durable for recreational use.

dmark 

I have an '05 7500fx that is my commuter bike. I have not worn out the cassette but I like the price point for the bright shiny chrome SRAM about $30. For chains I use KMC x993.
I am fixing a '91 Trek 750 for commuting (more comfortable).
My 2cents