sw20

I'm about to order a new chain, roughly covered about 3k on current chain and cassette, do I need to replace my cassette too?

Iride01 

3K being 3000 miles? That ain't a lot of mileage.

What determines for me whether to change cassettes is how the new chain runs on the old. If I have problems that might be related to the cassette wear, then I'll change it.

If you don't mind the expense, then you are welcome to change your cassette every time you change the chain. I won't mind at all.

base2 

You're fine.
You can sort of get an idea of how it's going to go when you wrap a chain around the cog & it doesn't nest very well. At 3000 miles, I wouldn't have even thought about the cassette.

Crankycrank

That cassette looks almost new. Most riders go through about 3 chains for every cassette and the best way to know if it needs replacing is if a new chain skips on the cogs. Install new chain and if no issues you're good to go. Also measure your old chain first to see if it is actually worn out. If your saying your chain had 3k kilometers and not miles it almost certainly would not be worn. No sense replacing good parts.

joeruge

In general, no. 3000k is not a lot of miles. With proper occasional maintenance, a cassette, and a chain for that matter, can easily last 3 times that. And if you're hard of hearing or ignore the clacking, a lot longer than that.

Seriously, I have put close to 9,000 miles on an already used cassette (so I don't know how many miles are actually on it). When I put a new chain on recently I was worried I had let it go too long and would have to change the cassette, as well. It was no problem...silky smooth.

However, if your drive train has been abused for all those miles, yes, you might have to change your cassette. Just put on a new chain. You'll know within the first ride if anything else has got to go.

mack_turtle

put the new chain on and give the bike a test-ride. if any of the cogs skip under the new chain, replace the cassette. that's all there is to it.

sw20

Thanks for the replies, sorry 3k is 3000 miles not kilometers, was only asking as I noticed when cleaning some of the teeth on the smaller cogs looked pointed rather than having a flat top like the rest! Just thought I might as well order the chain and cassette at the same time to save waiting another week for delivery should the new chain skip! I'll order the chain for now and see how I get on.

Iride01 

If you want to reassure yourself, just find out what exact model cassette that is and then go to the mfr's website and compare the teeth to their picture of that same cassette. It's really amazing when you first look at one closely the first time and notice how much shaping and sculpting of almost every tooth is on our modern cassettes with 10 or more cogs.

dsbrantjr

And the wear is going to be evenly distributed around the cassette. Teeth which are pointed or truncated differently will be that way because that is how they were made, they will not wear differently than adjacent teeth.

deacon mark

Cassettes can last long time. I get 15-20k on them no issues and no skipping. 3k they are just getting broken in.

caloso

That cassette looks practically brand new. Unless you get skipping with your new chain, I wouldn't change it.

Crankycrank

I'll say it again, measure your chain first. It may only be half worn. If a new one is needed yes, just order the chain. Highly unlikely any of the cassette cogs are worn and even if they are you can just ride around with the old chain until a new cassette arrives.

NoWhammies

Cassette looks fine to me.

Papa Tom

I'm blown away by how clean most people here keep their bike components. That 3k cassette looks like it's right out of the box. After four days on the bike, mine looks like it has been stored in the fat collection tray of a barbecue.

Koyote

All the folks stating that a cassette is barely worn at 3k miles should consider the use conditions. 3k miles on a bike that is used exclusively for sunny day pavement rides is nothing. 3k miles on a cassette that is used heavily off-road in mud and dust is a very different matter. In such conditions, I've had problems with cassettes in as little as 3500 miles.

sweeks

True, but the cassette in question appears to have gone 3,000 miles in the back of a van!

Drew Eckhardt 

I have over 29,000 miles on my 10 speed cassette with chain replacement every 4500 miles but only 1/32" of elongation.

Papa Tom

Racing Dan

Strange shapes are normal and look like that from new. Helps shifting. There is however slight signs of wear. Some of the middle cogs have the typical burr or fin near the top of the teeth. Im betting you are fine still.

blamester

No. You really have to try hard to wear out a cassette and chain till they cause a big problem. And you are keeping an eye on it so you will know when it's going bad.
You could order one and have it ready if needed or just the cog you use the most
I have a cassette with with thousands and thousands of miles and I changed the 17 and 19 a few times. And no problems. I keep an eye on it.

sw20

Thanks for all the replies, replaced the chain only no skipping on the cogs! Saved me £50!

bbbean 

If you make any effort at all to clean and lube your drive train, a cassette should last a couple of seasons, maybe longer.

coffeesnob

does weight and hill climbing have a significant factor on the chain stretching? I would think a 200 lb person going up a lot of hills would stretch a chain much quicker than 1 130lb person. Or, am i looking at this wrong?