Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner

Switching a 10 speed cassette for an 11 speed

35K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  pjames12  
#1 ·
I'm working on converting my 3x10 SLX drivetrain to a 1x11 drivetrain. After talking to different LBS, some have said I would need a new freehub body for ANY 11 speed cassette, while others have said only if I went with one of SRAMs 10 teeth ones would a need a different freehub body (the XD driver).

Does anyone have any experience with doing this? My bike currently has a Sunrace 11-36 cassette on it. I'd like to switch it for a SRAM PG-1130 (11-42T), which doesn't require the XD driver body, if it in fact will fit on the 10 speed freehub body. If it won't then I guess I'm going to have to changeout the freehub body anyways so I might as well replace my rear wheel for something nicer.
 
#4 ·
https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/pg-1130-cassette

Above is the cassette I'm looking to use. Its 11-42 and is mountain (part of the NX line), doesn't require an XD driver. Like Keen said above, I'm inclined to think it will work on my 10 speed freehub body but I've gotten conflicting reports depending who I ask at LBS.

Edit: this reply is to buell, sorry didn't hit reply with quote!
 
#7 ·
https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/pg-1130-cassette

Above is the cassette I'm looking to use. Its 11-42 and is mountain (part of the NX line), doesn't require an XD driver.
Correct. That cassette will work on a legacy Shimano 9/10/11||SRAM 9/10 driver. Unless you have an absolute affinity for the gear spacing, I would skip that cassette, however, and pick up a SunRace MX8 11-42T. Lightest/best bang for the buck. Even a Shimano XT 11-42T would be lighter. That 1130 is about 100 grams more than the SunRace, and I can tell you from personal experience that the SunRace is an excellent product.

If you do jump to 11-speed, of course, you'll also need an 11-speed rear derailleur and compatible 11-speed shifter. For this reason, I'd recommend just going with a wide-range 10-speed cassette, such as SunRace's MX3 in 11-42T, which weighs about 386g and has better spacing than any comparable product, in my opinion.
 
#9 ·
That makes sense, pjames12. I assumed you had an SLX m675.

I would definitely replace your RD if you plan on converting to a wide-range, 1x system. A clutched derailleur does a better job of preventing chain slap and chain drop. However, with an older model clutched derailleur (e.g., Shimano's SLX m675, XT m786, or XTR m986), you might need some additional tweaks for it to handle the largest cogs. These include a GoatLink, RADr cage, or an extra-long B screw, to name a few.

The latest clutched derailleurs--such as Shimano's SLX m7000, XT m8000, and XTR m9000--can accommodate the larger cogs without any bodging. I think this applies to SRAM mechs, as well, I just don't know for sure cuz I haven't ridden with a SRAM derailleur in many years. (Nothing against them; just how things have worked out.)
 
#15 ·
I'll be sure to let everyone know how the setup rides. Hopefully get everything purchased and on my bike within the next two weeks. This is my first time switching out a drivetrain entirely (I've changed individual parts but never basically the whole thing at once) so I'm pretty pumped to see how it all works. I'm sure it'll be great, and any issues with it will be from my install/user error!
 
#17 ·
You want to get yourself some extra bottom bracket spacers and https://www.evanscycles.com/shimano-1mm-hg-cassette-spacer-EV220571 one of these. Even when you use the middle chainring position, you may need to adjust your chainline a little. As hdparrish has said take your time and you'll get it shift really well. On my 10 speed setup I never suffered from the back peddle chain drop.
 
#18 ·
Finally got everything installed with that setup (and a race-face NW chain ring on the original Shimano cranks) and it works great. Only been on the trail once (weather hasn't been cooperating) but no issues and it is super quiet. Love being able to jump practically halfway down the cassette with the X1 shifter.