Chain rotation plan for cassette longevity
02-10-22, 05:03 PM
#26
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02-12-22, 01:13 AM
#27
Senior Member
I just acquired a new Litespeed Ultimate Disk with Ultegra Di2 R8170. Inexplicably, the bike came stocked with a Dura Ace cassette, which, as the larger cogs are made of titanium, is not as durable as Ultegra. I don't know the reason for the upgrade. Perhaps there is a shortage of Ultegra cassettes.
In the past, I have only used all-steel cassettes, and I have never bothered with complicated chain rotation schemes to increase cassette life, as the money saved is not worth the extra hassle. I don't count how many chains I normally get per cassette, but probably 3-4 chains per cassette as long as I replace each chain before 0.75%.
But now that I have an obscenely overpriced cassette that I did not anticipate owning, perhaps it will be worthwhile to attempt to stretch its life as long as I can. I have heard of people rotating between 2-4 chains at regular intervals to maximize cassette life. Can someone here who has tried such as strategy give me their plan?
How many chains do you have in the rotation?
How often do you rotate chains?...as a set number of miles or at certain intervals of measurable wear?
In practice, does rotating chains actually seem to extend cassette longevity, or does it seem like a fruitless exercise that causes more work with no tangible benefit?
In the past, I have only used all-steel cassettes, and I have never bothered with complicated chain rotation schemes to increase cassette life, as the money saved is not worth the extra hassle. I don't count how many chains I normally get per cassette, but probably 3-4 chains per cassette as long as I replace each chain before 0.75%.
But now that I have an obscenely overpriced cassette that I did not anticipate owning, perhaps it will be worthwhile to attempt to stretch its life as long as I can. I have heard of people rotating between 2-4 chains at regular intervals to maximize cassette life. Can someone here who has tried such as strategy give me their plan?
How many chains do you have in the rotation?
How often do you rotate chains?...as a set number of miles or at certain intervals of measurable wear?
In practice, does rotating chains actually seem to extend cassette longevity, or does it seem like a fruitless exercise that causes more work with no tangible benefit?
I'm guessing what makes sense is largely reliant on specific spare part price. On my main bike that I use year round, gravel and wet cold winter too, Im still on 10s, mostly Tiagra level, with a nicer crank sprinkled in. I just replace the chain before it goes completely and have had no issues with skipping or noticeable premature wear. So far about 10.000 km on the same cassette and rings, 4th. chain.
02-12-22, 02:57 AM
#28
Senior Member
I believe I now own all the NOS 10 spd Ultegra 13-25 cassettes on the Planet !!! moo ha ha !!!
... problem is that I find that I now also need a 27 or 28 ...
... I just don;t get the 11 thing on cassettes being used by normal humans? Ok, an 11 DuraAce on a suitable cog range, for the super-human or juicers, but 11s in 105 or even ultegra ??? iff'n you can't do it in a 12 or 13, it's certainly not gonna happen with an 11...
But 16 and 18 are always cogs any journeyman rider will really like and desire...
Bike fashion is inscrutable
Ride On
Yuri
... problem is that I find that I now also need a 27 or 28 ...
... I just don;t get the 11 thing on cassettes being used by normal humans? Ok, an 11 DuraAce on a suitable cog range, for the super-human or juicers, but 11s in 105 or even ultegra ??? iff'n you can't do it in a 12 or 13, it's certainly not gonna happen with an 11...
But 16 and 18 are always cogs any journeyman rider will really like and desire...
Bike fashion is inscrutable
Ride On
Yuri
02-12-22, 10:40 AM
#29
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Preferences rather than a nefarious plot.
Personally, I don't grasp how could someone not want a 11t. Going downhill on a compact - which is better matched to my power than anything larger - without a 11t would be noticeably less fun. On the other hand, 16 tooth, meh. I just don't find the 11-30 cassettes to have any objectionable gaps.
When I move to 12 speed it'll have a 11-34 cassette - no 16t, but same gaps as the 11-30 with an extra low gear for the more ridiculous slopes.
Sure, 6 or 7 or 9 or 10 or 11 speed is "enough" but one more always ends up useful. I know a couple of old cyclists, for them some of the more epic local climbs were a bit of a heroic endeavour on a racing bike. Now they are a bit routine - even for cyclists who aren't the fittest.
Personally, I don't grasp how could someone not want a 11t. Going downhill on a compact - which is better matched to my power than anything larger - without a 11t would be noticeably less fun. On the other hand, 16 tooth, meh. I just don't find the 11-30 cassettes to have any objectionable gaps.
When I move to 12 speed it'll have a 11-34 cassette - no 16t, but same gaps as the 11-30 with an extra low gear for the more ridiculous slopes.
Sure, 6 or 7 or 9 or 10 or 11 speed is "enough" but one more always ends up useful. I know a couple of old cyclists, for them some of the more epic local climbs were a bit of a heroic endeavour on a racing bike. Now they are a bit routine - even for cyclists who aren't the fittest.
Last edited by Branko D; 02-12-22 at 11:13 AM.
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02-12-22, 11:50 AM
#30
Just Pedaling
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Preferences rather than a nefarious plot.
Personally, I don't grasp how could someone not want a 11t. Going downhill on a compact - which is better matched to my power than anything larger - without a 11t would be noticeably less fun. On the other hand, 16 tooth, meh. I just don't find the 11-30 cassettes to have any objectionable gaps.
When I move to 12 speed it'll have a 11-34 cassette - no 16t, but same gaps as the 11-30 with an extra low gear for the more ridiculous slopes.
Sure, 6 or 7 or 9 or 10 or 11 speed is "enough" but one more always ends up useful. I know a couple of old cyclists, for them some of the more epic local climbs were a bit of a heroic endeavour on a racing bike. Now they are a bit routine - even for cyclists who aren't the fittest.
Personally, I don't grasp how could someone not want a 11t. Going downhill on a compact - which is better matched to my power than anything larger - without a 11t would be noticeably less fun. On the other hand, 16 tooth, meh. I just don't find the 11-30 cassettes to have any objectionable gaps.
When I move to 12 speed it'll have a 11-34 cassette - no 16t, but same gaps as the 11-30 with an extra low gear for the more ridiculous slopes.
Sure, 6 or 7 or 9 or 10 or 11 speed is "enough" but one more always ends up useful. I know a couple of old cyclists, for them some of the more epic local climbs were a bit of a heroic endeavour on a racing bike. Now they are a bit routine - even for cyclists who aren't the fittest.
02-12-22, 02:21 PM
#31
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Personally, I don't grasp how could someone not want a 11t. Going downhill on a compact - which is better matched to my power than anything larger - without a 11t would be noticeably less fun. On the other hand, 16 tooth, meh. I just don't find the 11-30 cassettes to have any objectionable gaps.
It is not old age; it is the fact that I (still) have too much mass.
02-14-22, 07:35 PM
#32
Full Member
It’s not like cassettes and/or are crazy expensive. All of that time and hassle ain’t worth it imo. I have 3000 miles on my cassette and it looks amazing,
02-14-22, 07:40 PM
#33
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