Building a replacement cassette
03-27-24, 07:14 PM
#1
BeastMaster
Thread Starter
Building a replacement cassette
I currently have a Shimano 8 speed HG41 cassette (11-32T) on a 1x setup.
i also have a SRAM PG1170 11speed cassette (11-36T) that I would like possibly cannibalize to build a 11-25T replacement cassette. Has anyone ever tried this? I know the cogs and spacers are thinner so, what size spacers would I need to make this work? Can the spacers from the Shimano cassette be used? The 11/12/13T cogs are configured with 11 speed spacing. Also, can this cassette with thinner cogs work with an 8 speed chain?
i also have a SRAM PG1170 11speed cassette (11-36T) that I would like possibly cannibalize to build a 11-25T replacement cassette. Has anyone ever tried this? I know the cogs and spacers are thinner so, what size spacers would I need to make this work? Can the spacers from the Shimano cassette be used? The 11/12/13T cogs are configured with 11 speed spacing. Also, can this cassette with thinner cogs work with an 8 speed chain?
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03-27-24, 08:09 PM
#2
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Have not done this, but naively I would think any spacers can be used as long as they are the thickness is correct and they match the freehub profile (e.g., microspline vs older Shimano freehubs).
Sounds like a lot of work.
Quick search shows new 8s cassettes with a similar progression (12-25 or 11-23) available for less than $20:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186060282099
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256227815837
https://www.ebay.com/itm/404769791554
Sounds like a lot of work.
Quick search shows new 8s cassettes with a similar progression (12-25 or 11-23) available for less than $20:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186060282099
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256227815837
https://www.ebay.com/itm/404769791554
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03-27-24, 08:13 PM
#3
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I have replaced individual worn cogs in a cassette but have not crossed brands.
if you can get it to shift acceptably, great.
/markp
if you can get it to shift acceptably, great.
/markp
03-27-24, 10:50 PM
#4
Really Old Senior Member
The thickness of your 11 speed cog & spacer would have to be 4.8mm to match the 4.8mm spacing on an 8 speed. Time wise, it's not really worth it.
Sell/trade the 11 speed cassette and buy an 8
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html
Sure you really don't want a 12-25?
Sell/trade the 11 speed cassette and buy an 8
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html
Sure you really don't want a 12-25?
Last edited by Bill Kapaun; 03-27-24 at 11:28 PM.
03-27-24, 10:58 PM
#5
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There are likely no ready-made spacers that would put the thinner 11-speed cogs at the same inter-cog spacing as an 8-speed cassette, so you are better off just buying an existing 8-speed cassette, which (as csport noted) can be had for < $20.
03-27-24, 11:25 PM
#6
Senior Member
The Sheldon Brown website has a whole section about this, both spacing, and exactly how to do different hacks like mounting 8-speed onto a 7-speed freewheel, etc. Lemme see if I can find...
Here's spacing:
https://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html
Conversion hacks:
https://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#spacing
EDIT: Specific info:
Here's spacing:
https://sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-spacing.html
Conversion hacks:
https://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#spacing
EDIT: Specific info:
There is no problem mixing 7-speed or 8-speed flat sprockets into a 9-speed cassette, or vice versa. The smaller sizes (11, 12, 13) that feature built-in spacers should ideally be matched, but even this isn't generally a problem in practice. If you want to get finicky, you can compensate by using a wider spacer next to a narrower sprocket, or vice versa. On the other hand, if you use 9- or 10- speed sprockets with built-in spacers in a 7-or 8-speed cassette, the spacing will be too narrow for the wider chains used with these sprockets. You should use only 10-speed sprockets in a 10-speed cassette, because the internal width of the chain is narrower.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 03-27-24 at 11:41 PM.
03-27-24, 11:30 PM
#7
Really Old Senior Member
Now if you are talking about 8 of 9 on 7, that's a FREE HUB.
03-27-24, 11:35 PM
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03-27-24, 11:43 PM
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03-28-24, 07:48 AM
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I also vote "not worth it" as making proper width spacers is a real challenge to get the perfect spacing. Shifting may be less than great compared to what you're used to with the Shimano HG cogs which are all matched together to shift smoothly and quickly. If your cassettes are in good condition sell them and put the $$ towards the cassette you want.
03-28-24, 08:32 AM
#11
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On my Shimano 11 speed cassette, only the 6 smallest sprockets, 11-18 are individual. The next two sprockets are riveted together on a center piece that is splined for the freehub as are the remaining sprockets. So if your SRAM 11 speed cassette is similar you'll have to come up with something to hold those sprockets larger than 18 teeth to get the proper spacing.
If you are a machinists, or that's part of your hobbies, then you'll probably have something to give you the fun and satisfaction making your own. Personally I'd rather be cycling and will just pay for the cassette.
If you are a machinists, or that's part of your hobbies, then you'll probably have something to give you the fun and satisfaction making your own. Personally I'd rather be cycling and will just pay for the cassette.
Last edited by Iride01; 03-28-24 at 11:56 AM.
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03-28-24, 09:12 AM
#12
Clark W. Griswold
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Sounds like a poor idea both in that it is not a great idea but also will make you much poorer. It is 8 speed just ride it as is and if you want better gearing come into the 2000s with some 10, 11 or 12 speed and you can get more practical cassettes. For now just use what exists on the market like 11-28 or 12-26 or 12-23. Plenty of options that are fine for lower initial cost bicycles. The only reason I might invest in something 8 speed if it is XTR/XT or Dura Ace/Ultegra from that era but even then I would probably just upgrade to a 9 speed shifter and run it all as 9 speed.
03-28-24, 10:00 AM
#13
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Not sure if SRAM pins the cogs together on the 1170, but they did this on their highest end cassette that I use.
If you seek weight savings, you can often find lightweight 8sp versions online or eBay.
I no longer ride 8sp, but part of me regrets selling seven amazing Boone titanium cogs years ago.
If you seek weight savings, you can often find lightweight 8sp versions online or eBay.
I no longer ride 8sp, but part of me regrets selling seven amazing Boone titanium cogs years ago.
