Submitted by
Tamas
a Cross Country Rider
from Hungary Date Reviewed: February 24, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Strengths:
Relatively cheap, easy to rebulild
Weaknesses:
Construction
Similar Products Used:
Alivio, Deore, XTR, 9.0
Bike Setup:
Merida Matts Special Edition
Bottom Line:
The small contact surface of the individual rings causes deep signs on the freehub body. It was used as a training cogs and killed my Tune freehub body, and nearly causing the same at DT Hügi 340 freehub body. So, not recommended for aluminium freehubs!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Stock on my 2001 Trek Fuel 90 Disk
Strengths:
The same quality as Shimano, Cheaper to replace then Shimano, A great 11-32 tooth cog set.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't have a Shimano Deore XT logo on it - for others to see.
Similar Products Used:
Whatever cogset (5 speed) that came on my 1994 Raleigh Matterhorn & the Shimano Alivio (7 speed) that came on my 1996 GT Ricochet.
Bike Setup:
2001 Trek Fuel 90 Disk
Bottom Line:
I'll start to use this stock cogset for it's 7th cycling season, hopefuly by March 2007 when all the snow & ice has melted away. Bottom Line: The best cogset I've used sofar, very similar in quality to the Shimano Deore XT, but at a lower price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonas
a Cross Country Rider
from Vaasa, Finland Date Reviewed: October 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Where pepper doesn't grow...
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Wasa Bikeservice
Strengths:
Relatively cheap, weight ok for the price, shifted well for almost 2years.
Weaknesses:
No spider construction, Destroys Aluminum hub.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX and cheaper brands.
Bike Setup:
SantaCruz Superlight 01, Bontrager carbon cranks and bar, hayes mag+, Shimano XT/XTR.
Bottom Line:
I was pleased until I tried to remove the cassette, as it is a bunch of separate chainwheels (there is only a small screw that should hold them together) they were rotated in aspect to each other and had been pressed into the Al-freewheelbody on my american classic hub. So I decided to start using cassettes with a spider construction instead. Anyway it lasted for quite long, almost 2years and about 5000km maybe. I have used in XC/enduro, winter and summer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Canaan
a
from Nashville, TN. U.S.A Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$36.00
Bottom Line:
Sram's cassette is simple, affordable, and it performs well under heavy or light loaded shifting. The 970 is compatible with many chains and it usually lasts as long they do. I recommend this cassette to riders who are concerned about longevity over expense. In the 970, Sram offers a solid product that shifts well, looks good, and outlasts expensive alternatives. Consider the 970 for your next cassette.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dbohnsai
a Downhiller
from Chilli, Oh Date Reviewed: March 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Great Seal State Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
shifts flawlessly, cheaper than XT!
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
I got this cassette as an upgrade from 8-speed. I liked it so much I got another one for another bike. Never had a problem with shifting or beanding teeth when paired up with a pc-99 chain, even under a heavy load such as when climbing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto Canada Date Reviewed: October 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Was Dagmar
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$34.00
Purchased At:
EBay - EDiscount Bikes
Strengths:
- Inexpensive - As good as XT, half the price - Zero problems in 70 + rides - Perfect shifting every time. - 330 Grams.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Giant Ac Air Lite, Xt, Sram mix.
Bottom Line:
But it. Shifts great. Does not wear quickly, even with my uphill, under tourque bad habit shifting... never a problem and I'm 200LBS and ride a free ride bike on agressive trails with lots of climbs and drops.
Why spend more for Shimano?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Morten Edvars
a Cross Country Rider
from Kopenhagen, Denmark Date Reviewed: August 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Harburger Berge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
cnc(Hamburg)
Strengths:
Cheap, good looking.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Deore,LX
Bike Setup:
Race face, Shimano, Marzocchi, Sram
Bottom Line:
as a 96 Kilo rider, I wear's out my drivetrain quite fast, this casette seems more durable as the LX I nomally use, and the shifting (chain pc59) is mutch better than Shimano LX, I am slowly changing all Shimano parts with Sram as they wears out, Sram is great value for the money!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelly Gunthorpe
a Weekend Warrior
from Batesville,IN,USA Date Reviewed: June 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Not Sure
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
greenfishsports.com
Strengths:
Shifs great..the 34 tooth ring is sooper low and is nice on hills when im lazy. I was abledown shift while climbing up a huge hill. my shimano stuff used to struggle doing this, My SRAM stuff did right when i asked no hesitation, something i never thought possable before
Weaknesses:
there is a big jump in in teeth in some of the coggs and that makes for a little bit of a jolt, maybe my derailer is set up wrong, but it works great so i dont know.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Iron Horse sinister h-tail with all SRAM stuff
Bottom Line:
I was abledown shift while climbing up a huge hill. my shimano stuff used to struggle doing this, My SRAM stuff did right when i asked no hesitation, something i never thought possable before
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Submitted by
LArs
a Cross Country Rider
from AZ Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Well, it's cheap - initially - and shiny.
Weaknesses:
It sucks. Yes, I posted the last two reviews, and this is an attempt to offset the high initial rating I posted so that others do not fall into using this pos as I did.
Bottom Line:
6 months of easyish to mildly rough (not trils or DH or FR) trail riding once per week by a lightweight rider (160) and about 70% of the teeth on this cassette are bent!
My last cheapo Deore cassette lasted nearly 3 years.
It worked great at first - but 6 months! What a waste!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lars
a Cross Country Rider
from AZ Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
???
Strengths:
I posted the last review. I gave this 5 chillis. 5 rides later my brand new chain broke while peddling up a short, rocky, medium streep hill. Hmmm.... Fixed the chain, funny noise in back revealed a few teeth bent way out of alignment. Not happy.
Weaknesses:
See above
Bottom Line:
This was a great cassette for 6 months, then all of a sudden... wham! Bent teeth for no appearent reason. No likey.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lars
a Cross Country Rider
from AZ Date Reviewed: April 30, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Works great, less filling...
Weaknesses:
none so far. I got the 11-32 becuase I think the jump from 28t to 34t would be just too much! From 28t - 32t is a bit much! Wish they'd gone 28, 30, 32, or at least 27, 29, 32... Oh well.
Similar Products Used:
shimano
Bike Setup:
HT w 4" fork n' stuff. SRAM DT including 9.0sl esp rear and front 'der, 9.0 sl shifters.
Bottom Line:
It shifts very very well - crisp and clean with no caffine :-) Seems to be holding up great to my mashing abuse in the rock piles locals call trails.
Forget it exists 'cuz it does what it's supposed to. Can't imagine anything better!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron Simpson
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Instant shifting, Finish is excellent - doesn't wear, Easy to maintain & clean, Machine drilled holes for drainage & to save weight - whilst maintaining bombproof strength & Looks Amazing!!
Weaknesses:
Errmm you will be hard to find any!!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi EXR Fork, Mavic 221, DT Spokes, Tioga 2.1 Factory Tyres, Deore Brakes/Shifters/Rear Mech, Mr Control Slalom Chain Device, FSA V-Drive Ring & Arms, SRAM PC-59 chain, 7.0 Cassette, DMR V8 Pedals, Azonic World Force Stem.......
Bottom Line:
This cassette is just fantastic!! If you fit it with a PC-59 chain its great. Some people think that Shimano Deore does the job & it does, but this 7.0 cassette certainly delivers! You are better off splashing out on this, shifts smooth, even under pressure - climbing up hills!! The finish on this beast will always look great.
Bottom line is: I will never go back to a Shimano chain & cassette, SRAM knows how to make the toughist kit available.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland, oh, USA Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
streets
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came on my Schwinn Mesa GSX
Strengths:
very, very, very nice shifting. keep it clean and it even looks pretty.
Weaknesses:
it isn't made of kryptonite, or ceramic composite, or transparent aluminum, it's approximately .00043 grams too heavy, no supermodels are included in the box, and it's not wrapped in $100 bills.
Similar Products Used:
lx 9sp, stx 7 speed stuff
Bike Setup:
schwinn mesa gsx, nice upgrades but still full deore shifters, sram powerlink chain
Bottom Line:
you don't notice it? you just notice that the gear changes happen immediately, silently, and every freakin' time. the cassette/powerlink chain combo is great, too- definitely a buy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Thunder Bay ON Canada Date Reviewed: September 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
shuniah mines
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Ramseys
Strengths:
Shifts smooth, appearance if that matters, light weight
Weaknesses:
tight nine speed cogs get clogged up with leaves and dirt easier than old Sram 5.0 eight speed
This cassette shifts as smooth as butter. As you see, the set up I have is by no means high end but no problems. I like this set up much better than my old eight speed set up. Even with my 4 year old LX rear derailler noticed no real shifting issues. Bottom line good durable cassette. Definately recommend.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brown Teeth
a Cross Country Rider
from Morro Bay, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$32.00
Purchased At:
online&LBS
Strengths:
Lasts about 1800 miles under mostly fine sandy use. If installed right will work well with XT or XTR rear d, puts up with my 200 lbs and never failed just wore out over time like good parts should.
Weaknesses:
None really good bang for $ especially compared to LX, XT might be better but not worth a 20$ premium.
Similar Products Used:
LX (wore out in 1000 miles)
Bike Setup:
Marin Trail Pro xtr/xt, also gt idrive 1.0 here's they are: http://www.kcbx.net/~tsulaiti/bikes.jpg
Bottom Line:
I'm on my third set having worn one set out, good bang for the $ and lasts long enough. Highly recomend Wipperman 908 chain, nice shifting even with crappy deore shifters. Got to rate 5 flaming roaches all around
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonathan Hughes
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Pete,Fl,usa Date Reviewed: July 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Alafia
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Weaknesses:
fell apart
Similar Products Used:
xt
Bike Setup:
cannondale m 400
Bottom Line:
Had to replace my chain, removed cassette to clean it and it fell apart in my hands. A small screw holding it together backed out and trashed all of my spokes on that side of the hub. This is after one year of weekend riding. I repaced it with a xt and have had smooooth shifting.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
André Flávio Estevão
a Cross Country Rider
from Itap. da Serra, SP, Brazil Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Kinkaku-Ji - Itapecerica da Serra
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$46.00
Purchased At:
Anderson Bycicles
Strengths:
Light enough for the cost
Weaknesses:
difficult to move of the 11 for the 12 and vice versa
I'm liking it, although i use it at a little time, the 34t ring is sufficient to work with the 32t second crank ring, making possible the remove of the minor 22t from the crankset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
liaudio
a
from ny Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Weaknesses:
Broke a tooth on a small ring. Doesn't shift very well, not as crisp as XT atleast.
Bottom Line:
CRAP. get the XT.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MTB Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland Date Reviewed: January 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Egypt Valley
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$33.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Decent Price. I like the Yellow carrier even though it gets dirty fast. I guess weight is moderate for price.
Weaknesses:
Weak. Bent Ring early under minimal load and I am not hefty in any way shape or form.
Similar Products Used:
LX, Going to XTR I have debated yet.
Bike Setup:
2003 Custom S-wokrs Build XT/XTR/Carbon and more.
Bottom Line:
I have only used this for about 100 miles or so. 80 of those miles are on the trainer.
I just built the new S-Works bike and was swapping this over since it was new. I adjusted all the gearing etc.. I notice some chain noise. I looked att he sprocket and ring was bent. not the teeth the whole ring.
I am 160 lbs and all the miles have been moderate to light. I mean no excessive torque. And this happened.
Bad Rating for me.
I think all bike parts are over priced so only 4 for me on value. And due tot he bending under light usage. 2 for overall
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tony
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado springs Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
price function
Weaknesses:
dropout clearance
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX and XT
Bike Setup:
trek 520 touring bike used as daily commuter and for loaded touring
Bottom Line:
decent cassette. I bought it as a combo with a chain, but they didn't work together on my touring bike (when I shifted into the 11t cog, the chain rubbed on the frame: sram 9 speed chain was actually .010" wider than shimano.) Kept the cassette on , but swapped chains with the one on my mountain bike, and all was good (read: my sram cassette worked better with a shimano chain, and my sram chain that was .010" wider--which I thought was a defect--works good on the shimano cassette.) beware, this cassette has a tiny allen head screw that holds it together, and it will come loose.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: November 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
www.nrcycles.com
Strengths:
Light, stiff, flawless shifting
Weaknesses:
no
Similar Products Used:
Sunrace crap, generic crap, and SRAM 5.0 8 speed (very very good)
Bike Setup:
2002 Madwagon City bike with SRAM rear derailleur, grip shifter, and now cassette. This bike has no front derailleur, its just a 9 speed.
Bottom Line:
My Madwagon bike has a 1x9 drivetrain which came with good components (SRAM 5.0) except for the cassette which was some heavy generic brand. I got bored and wanted to spend some money so I decided to upgrade that last part of my drivetrain to SRAM. What a difference. Very nice products indeed, and a lot cheaper than Shimano. Its good to see that SRAM has busted the monopoly on MTB parts. Buy this, save money, and ride hard.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
martin ###
a Cross Country Rider
from vic Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
internet
Strengths:
BEAUTIFUL SHIFTING down and up i love it and a good weight not that i really care about weight, good colur
Weaknesses:
not much at all just started using the sram cassette done 300 k's on it
Similar Products Used:
deore cassette
Bike Setup:
atx 890,race face,XTR,LX, SID 100,hayes hydro and the new sram cassette.
Bottom Line:
always try something different never stick to the same brand of component give sram a go trust me!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mtn biker
a
from Holland Date Reviewed: August 31, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$27.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Lighter than LX, cooler looking..like it matters but I d like to look at my bike. hell it costs me alot of cash why the heck not look at it...lol
Weaknesses:
Not light Enough. But hey I didnt spend alot either
There is just no better way to spend 27.00 I mean its cheap. Lighter than my LX and smoother. Besides It has a cooler look than shimano. I am not going to say the shimano sucks. I had good luck with my shimano cassette. But I am always buying and always looking for new things to get for the bike. I heard the 9.0's break alot and I didnt want to get one for that reason. I will get once this 7.0 wears out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hugo Alvelos
a Downhiller
from Portugal Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Monchique and the streets
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
angel pilot
Strengths:
Price, easy to setup at home, light and smooth changes
Light and cheap!!!! 5 flaming sauerkrauts. buy it if you are just starting cause they can stand some abuse, never tested them on wet weather tough....just dont use a shimano chain cause it chaffs the sides of the cogs...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Keizer, OR Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
McKenzie River
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
OEM
Strengths:
Smooth shifting
Weaknesses:
Bent
Similar Products Used:
NA
Bike Setup:
Moab 1, LX/XTR, Thompson SP, Mavic Crossride
Bottom Line:
Well, after 1,000 miles, it bent the 2nd largest cog today in a race. I'm 200 lbs, and this is only my 2nd race, so I expect that this is a frequent occurance under pressure.
Shifting was smooth with the XTR - until I needed it most. I can't really complain and due to price, may buy another one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
weather expert
a Weekend Warrior
from iowa Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
smooth shifts. affordable.
Weaknesses:
nothing found yet.
Similar Products Used:
sunrace stuff, deore, lx, xt
Bike Setup:
Mrazek XC rig, 9.0 drivetrain w/ 7.0 cassette
Bottom Line:
every bit as good as XT, if not better. smooth, silent shifts (w/ 9.0 RD and pc 59 chain).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Abraham Altamirano
a Weekend Warrior
from Puebla, Pue. Mexico Date Reviewed: May 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Many different
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came with the bike
Strengths:
Great cassette, the Shimano componentry empire is over and we have plenty of choices. This one is light and shifting has become very accurate. I have the combination 11-34 teeth which has been optimal to climb up to 4000 meters above the sea lever. Yes you read right!!! I live in Mexico where you find many mountains and can reach more than 4000 meters above the sea level with a bike..
Weaknesses:
Not yet.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX and XT.
Bike Setup:
Came with the bike a 2001 Giant Warp DS1.
Bottom Line:
Great option, cheap and light, go for it unless you are a weight watcher and have the bucks for a XTR. The combination 11-32 or 11-34 depends on you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
György
a
from Eger,Hungary Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
Cheap,at half price of an LX.Supreme,quick shifting.It has the same weight as XT (300gr).It has an impressive design.
Weaknesses:
It's a little bit flexible,but I have no problem with it.If you like mud,buy a 9.0 "spider"!Can buy it just in two tooth combinations (11-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32/34).
Similar Products Used:
Alivio,STX-RC,LX,Sunrace...
Bike Setup:
I use it with a cheap PC-59 chain.I must use some oil for soft,quick shifting.
Bottom Line:
Buy this instead of Shimano LX!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marcel
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan, PR Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Lightweight, Great shifting, stainless steal, great price
Weaknesses:
Stainless steal? I dont know if it is stronger than regular steal.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX
Bike Setup:
Trek 4300. SRAM 7.0 Cassette, SRAM PC-59 chain, XT rear der, LX front der, LX cranks, LX shifters/levers, Bontrager crow bar, Bontrager SuperStock wheels, time alium pedals, bontrager race stem
Bottom Line:
Great cassette. No reason to buy the LX if you can get this one. Excellent shifting especially with the SRAM PC-59 chain. Totally compatible with Shimano. I'll update in a couple of months. Lets see if it holds up.
$
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