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Lightweight Micro Spline 12 Speed Cassettes

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Singlespeeds

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey!
Trying to decide on what cassette to use next; currently running an XT 10-51 cassette that is 470g, not terrible but would like lighter without breaking the bank.
Garbaruk seems like the best shifting lightweight option, but are quite expensive in Canada.
What other options for micro spline should I consider that still shift well? (not a ztto lol)
 
#3 ·
This is a bit strange.

To get a light cassette, you need one-piece construction, like SRAM has done with the high end XDs. These are significantly lighter, like my X01 11spds that are 260g or so. To be frank, Shimano loose-gear cassette (even XTR is still) can't come close. So there won't be a microspline that gets close...unless it uses some sort of construction like SRAM...and that will cost money.
 
#4 ·
TiJoe said:
ZTTO... But... I have over 1000 miles on this one and it still looks brand new. About 375 grams and shifts/works great.

Click to expand...
I saw these the other day, they look interesting. There are a few other lower priced options too.

Jayem said:
This is a bit strange.

To get a light cassette, you need one-piece construction, like SRAM has done with the high end XDs. These are significantly lighter, like my X01 11spds that are 260g or so. To be frank, Shimano loose-gear cassette (even XTR is still) can't come close. So there won't be a microspline that gets close...unless it uses some sort of construction like SRAM...and that will cost money.
Click to expand...
That is exactly what the ZTTO is. It is roughly a similar cost to an XT cassette.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
#11 ·
My 2 cents after riding the original shimano cassettes (XT and SLX) E13 HelixR and Garbaruk:
I was fairly obsessed by the weight and really wanted to find something lighter than the XT without breaking the bank (so no XTR) but my conclusion after 3 years, which I didn't expect at first, is to stick to XT.
On long tours or races with a lot of up and down, even if the shifting with Garbaruk/E13 is good, I still had the feeling that I was sometimes loosing more energy and nerves waiting the gear to shift or not having that crisp shimano hyper glide feeling than carrying an extra 100g in the cassette. Plus the Shimano ratio is for me the best.
 
#12 ·
Brodybro29 said:
My 2 cents after riding the original shimano cassettes (XT and SLX) E13 HelixR and Garbaruk:
I was fairly obsessed by the weight and really wanted to find something lighter than the XT without breaking the bank (so no XTR) but my conclusion after 3 years, which I didn't expect at first, is to stick to XT.
On long tours or races with a lot of up and down, even if the shifting with Garbaruk/E13 is good, I still had the feeling that I was sometimes loosing more energy and nerves waiting the gear to shift or not having that crisp shimano hyper glide feeling than carrying an extra 100g in the cassette. Plus the Shimano ratio is for me the best.
Click to expand...
I agree with this 100% I had an SLX cassette, but was obsessed with weight and wanted to get my XL Yeti SB130 under 30 pounds and purchased an Ethirteen R12 Cassette. It was ok, but needed to be able to REALLY shift under load, and I can't tell the difference in weight, and still under 30 pounds with the XT cassette, tires and wheels is the best place to save weight, not your cassette, esp if you're just an average joe like me.
 
#14 ·
That's disappointing, but not too surprising. Shimano spends a lot of time and money making their ramps work, and they aren't too easily copied.

Could be worse, many of the non shimano cassettes in the 90s/2000s had no ramps at all.
 
#15 ·
I went through this also as there were no Shimano Cassette's to be found (during pandemic).
Splurged on the Garbaruk for the availability, weight, and color and I'm pleased with it.
Not as crisp as the Shimano SLX but not different enough to complain about.
 
#16 ·
Jayem said:
This is a bit strange.

To get a light cassette, you need one-piece construction, like SRAM has done with the high end XDs. These are significantly lighter, like my X01 11spds that are 260g or so. To be frank, Shimano loose-gear cassette (even XTR is still) can't come close. So there won't be a microspline that gets close...unless it uses some sort of construction like SRAM...and that will cost money.
Click to expand...
yeah....I just can't get around this reality. I'm using 30 or 32t rings with 1199 cassettes. Seems to be the ww optimized choice right now. I see 12spd as an option if you really need it, but that's going to be a small minority of users. Also I think SunsPSD found some of the XTR 11 cassettes that go on the microspline but they're pretty rare.

What did we all do before 12 speed? Do you reeeelly need a 34 ring with a 10 cog?

Image
 
#17 · (Edited)
Shimano CS-M9110-11 Lightweight - 310 grams. 10-45, 12 speed cassette without the 51 tooth cog (saving 57g). Removing the excess chain links cuts out another 13g. I found this on ebay last year - $250. I recently tried to buy another one but they're nowhere to be found. The local Shimano rep. said they're not made anymore but you may get lucky and find one like I did. My second lightest cassette is an XTR 12 speed 10-45 I bought on sale. If you need lower gear inches, get a smaller chainring and save even more grams. BTW, comparing these two cassettes side by side, while the M9110 is 12 speed spacing without the largest cog, the cassette structure/design is different - Shimano didn't simple leave off the 51 cog. Both are Microspline. Following is a link that describes the above:
www.bikeradar.com

Shimano XTR M9100: everything you need to know | BikeRadar

Wide-range 1x12 group outgears SRAM Eagle, new freehub standard, enduro brakes and more
www.bikeradar.com www.bikeradar.com
 
#18 ·
TylerVernon said:
yeah....I just can't get around this reality. I'm using 30 or 32t rings with 1199 cassettes. Seems to be the ww optimized choice right now. I see 12spd as an option if you really need it, but that's going to be a small minority of users. Also I think SunsPSD found some of the XTR 11 cassettes that go on the microspline but they're pretty rare.

What did we all do before 12 speed? Do you reeeelly need a 34 ring with a 10 cog?

View attachment 2027161
Click to expand...
I'm running 1199 with 28t oval. Works for most of my riding. if i go to the mountains, I can slap on my XT 11-46. Both have there own DT350 drivers so it is a 5 minute swap. Just have to reset the b-screw and minor barrel adjust.
 
#19 ·
Fat&SkinnyCO said:
Shimano CS-M9110-11 Lightweight - 310 grams. 10-45, 12 speed cassette without the 51 tooth cog (saving 57g). Removing the excess chain links cuts out another 13g. I found this on ebay last year - $250. I recently tried to buy another one but they're nowhere to be found. The local Shimano rep. said they're not made anymore but you may get lucky and find one like I did. My second lightest cassette is an XTR 12 speed 10-45 I bought on sale. If you need lower gear inches, get a smaller chainring and save even more grams. BTW, comparing these two cassettes side by side, while the M9110 is 12 speed spacing without the largest cog, the cassette structure/design is different - Shimano didn't simple leave off the 51 cog. Both are Microspline. Following is a link that describes the above:
www.bikeradar.com

Shimano XTR M9100: everything you need to know | BikeRadar

Wide-range 1x12 group outgears SRAM Eagle, new freehub standard, enduro brakes and more
www.bikeradar.com www.bikeradar.com
Click to expand...
1199 10-42 is 265g, XTR 11s derailleur is lighter than the 12s version, 1199 cassette is more durable than the M9110.
 
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TiJoe
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