Are 12-28 8 speed cassettes obsolete?
02-18-19, 02:03 PM
#1
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Are 12-28 8 speed cassettes obsolete?
Sheldon’s gear calculator has an 8 speed 12-28 listed as a standard option, but I am not finding that size available. Mostly I see 11-28 or 12-30 or 32. I really have no use for <12 or >28. I suppose I could build something from random cogs, but I would anticipate less than stellar performance if I decide to index it. Anyone know of a source that’s reasonably economical and decent quality?
02-18-19, 02:46 PM
#2
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I build custom 8-speed cassettes (12-28, 12-30) from loose Shimano, SRAM or Miche cogs, and alter the tooth counts so the close combinations are where I like them for my chainrings and desired cadence/effort on flat roads. These days, that’s usually 12-14-15-16-18-21-24-28, but I’ve also used ...18-20-23-28. It’s pretty rare that the indexing doesn’t work just fine. Seems like the single tooth spacing is a little more picky about coming from the same “group”, but not always. I’ve got Shimano, SRAM and Miche single tooth combinations that work great. Just be sure to use 8-speed spacers if you’re using Shimano shifters and derailleurs. Smallest cog thickness is less critical.
I have a drawer full of loose cogs in every size Shimano has made, plus a few Miche that they didn’t make. My sources are used cassettes, or new 7-speed that I disassemble. Universal Cycles has some loose cogs, as well as those inexpensive 7-speeds.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...hp?category=42
PM me if you need more info, or a cog that you can’t find elsewhere.
I have a drawer full of loose cogs in every size Shimano has made, plus a few Miche that they didn’t make. My sources are used cassettes, or new 7-speed that I disassemble. Universal Cycles has some loose cogs, as well as those inexpensive 7-speeds.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...hp?category=42
PM me if you need more info, or a cog that you can’t find elsewhere.
02-18-19, 03:27 PM
#3
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...I used to buy something like that from Ribble, but they have nothing now. Amazon has 12-26 in SRAM, and 11-28 in Shimano. If yoiu absolutely have to have 12-28, you can buy an 11-28 and a 12-25 HG-50 and swap the smallest. I think it's because of all the compact cranks in use now.
02-18-19, 04:19 PM
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I purchased a lightly used Shimano XT 12-28 cassette a few years ago. It had a nice useful range when combined with a triple crankset.
These are not in production currently and haven't been for a while.
I'm going to build up a replacement, using a new 11-28 eight speed cassette and the 12 and 13 from a 12-21 eight speed cassette.
These are not in production currently and haven't been for a while.
I'm going to build up a replacement, using a new 11-28 eight speed cassette and the 12 and 13 from a 12-21 eight speed cassette.
02-19-19, 12:02 AM
#5
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Thanks all. I’ll just play around with what I have; probably better off for now sticking with my close range flatland gearing anyway.
02-19-19, 08:06 AM
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I had a 7 speed shifter on an old mountain bike and a replacement wheel had an 8 speed hub. The cassette I had was 8 speed with an 11 tooth small cog. I just set the derailleur high stop screw and cable tension to lock out the 11 tooth cog and use the other 7. Not a perfect solution, but I didn't have to buy anything to make it work.
02-19-19, 10:40 AM
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Sheldon’s gear calculator has an 8 speed 12-28 listed as a standard option, but I am not finding that size available. Mostly I see 11-28 or 12-30 or 32. I really have no use for <12 or >28. I suppose I could build something from random cogs, but I would anticipate less than stellar performance if I decide to index it. Anyone know of a source that’s reasonably economical and decent quality?
(I bought a couple recently in case I convert my rando bike to 8-speed. What's the term for future-proofing a project that hasn't happened yet?)
02-19-19, 01:00 PM
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Shimano's 12-28t 8s cassette was only offered in the original XTR M900, and was also offered in 12-32t. Note that XT was still 7s at this time.
The XT cassettes of the subsequent (Compact 8s) era were 11-28t and 11-30t. Also with the larger cogs mounted on an alloy spider, but chromed shiny instead of the dull blasted XTR cog finish.
Shimano's other 12-28t cassettes were all 7s, until the Dura-Ace 9000 11s gruppo appeared decades later.
SRAM finally offered a 12-28t cassette but only in the 10s road configuration.
The XT cassettes of the subsequent (Compact 8s) era were 11-28t and 11-30t. Also with the larger cogs mounted on an alloy spider, but chromed shiny instead of the dull blasted XTR cog finish.
Shimano's other 12-28t cassettes were all 7s, until the Dura-Ace 9000 11s gruppo appeared decades later.
SRAM finally offered a 12-28t cassette but only in the 10s road configuration.
02-19-19, 01:23 PM
#9
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The 13-26 HG50 option is still available. Might be worth picking up a few if you're going to be riding 8-speed on flatland for a while: https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...17&category=42
(I bought a couple recently in case I convert my rando bike to 8-speed. What's the term for future-proofing a project that hasn't happened yet?)
(I bought a couple recently in case I convert my rando bike to 8-speed. What's the term for future-proofing a project that hasn't happened yet?)
The bike in question is my Ross. It has a 39/48 double and 13-23 rear, which is pretty perfect for the flatlands where honestly I could do with a few gears, or one. I was just playing with the gear calculator and it occurred to me that I could widen the range without really affecting my local riding much, and the bike would be more travel-ready for more varied terrain. You’re right - the 13-26 would come pretty close.
02-19-19, 05:55 PM
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Shimano's 12-28t 8s cassette was only offered in the original XTR M900, and was also offered in 12-32t. Note that XT was still 7s at this time.
The XT cassettes of the subsequent (Compact 8s) era were 11-28t and 11-30t. Also with the larger cogs mounted on an alloy spider, but chromed shiny instead of the dull blasted XTR cog finish.
Shimano's other 12-28t cassettes were all 7s, until the Dura-Ace 9000 11s gruppo appeared decades later.
SRAM finally offered a 12-28t cassette but only in the 10s road configuration.
The XT cassettes of the subsequent (Compact 8s) era were 11-28t and 11-30t. Also with the larger cogs mounted on an alloy spider, but chromed shiny instead of the dull blasted XTR cog finish.
Shimano's other 12-28t cassettes were all 7s, until the Dura-Ace 9000 11s gruppo appeared decades later.
SRAM finally offered a 12-28t cassette but only in the 10s road configuration.
I watched a buddy of mine install one on his bike.
02-19-19, 05:59 PM
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I use that one on my Stumpjumper and it works out well.
The bike in question is my Ross. It has a 39/48 double and 13-23 rear, which is pretty perfect for the flatlands where honestly I could do with a few gears, or one. I was just playing with the gear calculator and it occurred to me that I could widen the range without really affecting my local riding much, and the bike would be more travel-ready for more varied terrain. You’re right - the 13-26 would come pretty close.
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02-19-19, 06:08 PM
#12
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Very unlikely I will actually use the 12 unless I find some big hills to descend.
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