Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Anybody using 7 speed cassettes?

Jump to Latest
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
#2 ·
jfudge02 said:
If so, what type of shifter/derailleur are you using?
I like the idea of less gear changes between the ones I need in a downhill setting, plus weight/ other factors.
Click to expand...
most DH bikes don't need all the gears...In reality we need a granny gear, a little bit higher gear for pedaling....a medium gear a little higher and 3 gears of faster faster faster ....if you want this go for it...many like it
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Nice, ya that was what I was thinking.
I have a feeling I'm about to get laughed at::
Do you think an Altus shifter would do the trick haha as the only "quality" one seems to be the sram 7 which is like a 600 or more dollar setup.

My other option is just to drop 200 and get the Saint m820 shift+detail to match my cranks
 
#5 ·
#8 ·
I use a SLX 10 speed cassette 11-36t with the 3 large rings on the main spider removed, replaced with the One-Up 7-speed block. For the derailleur I use a SRAM X01 DH 10spd short cage and an X9 shifter. The limiter screw is plenty long enough to restrict it to the bottom 7 speeds.
 
#10 ·
Adding to my previous post.

10Spd Ultegra cassette 11-25 (re-geared my road bike) with the three largest cogs removed.
B-Tension screw is plenty long on the Saint mech to limit direction past now largest cog.
A few cog spacers to fill the void left by the missing cogs. (I have to add or subtract a spacer, or use different ones depending on hub I'm using it seems):madman:

I have't put a chain off the back of the cassette, yet. Ti-Springs and OneUp have you covered if you're concerned.

Or one could go with a wider flange spacing DH hub.
 
#15 ·
SHIVER ME TIMBERS said:
honestly....get a 10 speed and lock out a few gears with limiter....way cheaper....and some of the cassettes are almost the same weight whys
Click to expand...
This works too. Only catch is you have to build your own cassette if you want to use a wide-flange hub. I did this on my FR bike using a Hope 135mm Trials hub. I made an 11-30 cassette using 6 cogs from Miche, and it just worked.

A couple weeks ago I tried to build an 11-34 cassette using some Miche cogs and some from an old SRAM cassette, but that requires a RADR cage (which I have) and a Goat Link (which is somewhere in my garage but I can't find the damn thing).

My DH bike has SRAM's 7-speed setup because I really wanted a 10t small cog, which I couldn't do with Miche's cogs. With the original 36 F / 11 R gearing I kept wanting to shift up one more gear. That problem is now solved.

I only miss the lower gears when pedaling up from the parking lot. I can live with that. But even so I totally agree with JACKL that a wider-range 7 speed cassette would be better.
 
#16 ·
I don't think SRAM or Shimano is really going to do something like this, and if they did it would cost a fortune. I do think Oneup or Wolftooth should work with some DH riders and figure out what would really work best. It does help to have some range, but that can be done with less gears. And still keep a shorter freehub, allowing a stronger wheel build.

I'm not a DHer, but when I do hit some medium speed downhill sections and speeds are changing fast, the wider ratios help me deal with that situation better. Is it really beneficial to shift 2 and 3 gears at a time when you are fighting for your life? I will say at the very top end the ratios can get closer, which is why I have wide ratios down low and closer up high.
 
#17 ·
JACKL said:
I don't think SRAM or Shimano is really going to do something like this, and if they did it would cost a fortune. I do think Oneup or Wolftooth should work with some DH riders and figure out what would really work best. It does help to have some range, but that can be done with less gears. And still keep a shorter freehub, allowing a stronger wheel build.

I'm not a DHer, but when I do hit some medium speed downhill sections and speeds are changing fast, the wider ratios help me deal with that situation better. Is it really beneficial to shift 2 and 3 gears at a time when you are fighting for your life? I will say at the very top end the ratios can get closer, which is why I have wide ratios down low and closer up high.
Click to expand...
Sram already does do it. The have the X01 and GX both in 7spd.
 
#18 ·
He was talking about wider range. The existing 7-speed cassettes only go up to 25 teeth or so. Which is fine for DH but it would also be nice to have the strength of a wide-flange hub without sacrificing range.

I built a 6-speed that goes to 30t, he's got one that goes to 34, and we made them out of spare parts... I wouldn't be surprised if a 7-speed could go up to 40 and still shift just fine, especially with a proper company making it.
 
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
About this Discussion
18 Replies
10 Participants
Last post:
Deerhill
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion