Which rear cassette for my bike?!

esuhl

I've selected a new chain and chain-rings for my mountain bike, but I can't even begin to choose amongst the huge range of rear cassettes that are available!

The one I've got has been fine, although I quickly snapped a tooth of it and it wore down fairly quickly, so I'd pay a bit extra for something hard-wearing. Weight isn't that important, but smooth-shifting and being rust-resistant (as I use a wax lube) would be good.

So... I know I'm looking for either an SRAM or Shimano 9-speed 11-34T cassette... but which one?!

If I could just find a list of the SRAM and Shimano product hierarchies and features, I could make a decision. But I can't seem to find anything like that... :-/

Can anyone help?!

Johnmcl7

The Shimano MTB hierarchy (ignoring the lower ones and non-groupset parts) is Deore->SLX (originally Deore LX)->Deore XT->XTR

Sram naming isn't that great either but generally the lower the number (with exceptions), the lower it is in the range so theirs is X3->X4->X5->X5->X9->X0->X1->XX->X01->XX1 (might be slightly wrong here at the top but I doubt it matters for 9 speed)

I have Deore 10 speed cassettes on my MTB's and seem to work fine, it's difficult to know whether you're paying more for something that's actually harder wearing or simply slightly lighter.

John

jbainbridge

I generally go for the cheapest and shiniest - In this case the SRAM PG950 meets those criteria http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sram-pg950-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod5045

You'll want a new chain too I expect?

Cycrow

if you are not sure what to get, it may be worth matching it to the rest of the drivetrain, or maybe up one level.

Generally the higher you go up, the lighter and smoother they are.

esuhl

Thanks for all the tips, and sorry it's taken so long to respond -- I was so "shopped out" I left it for a few days!

In the end, I replaced the chain rings with an identical set (Shimano Deore FC-M590), got an SRAM PC991 chain (as it was only £16.49 and, as I use a wax lube, the nickel-coating is supposedly a good idea to ward off corrosion).

Aaaand... I'd seen good reviews for the SRAM PowerGlide 990 cassette, but was hesitant to pay a whopping £46... although a friend reminded me how much time I spend on my bike, and the fact that I'm saving a lot of money by not driving... and the RRP is supposedly £91... So at the risk of damaging my money-saving credentials, I thought I'd give it a try!

My bike was modestly spec'd when I got it (SRAM X7 level), but I'm gradually upgrading the components as they wear out. I'm really pleased with the difference between X7 and X9 gear shifters, which feel much more precise, so hopefully I'll notice the cassette upgrade. If not, at least I'll not be tempted to waste money in future!