[haro_xls]

Does anyone have a trustworthy homegrown method for removing an old cassette without the use of a chain whip? Just curious... I bought a new cassette and new lockring tool, but didn't buy the chain whip yet.

Ideas? Just go get the whip? It seems like a pretty obscure tool that I won't use too often...

 

[chruby99]

ues a chain

I just use a chain and a good hand grip or put on a leather work glove and hold the chain tight.

 

[blehargh]

Just buy a cheap whip

Does anyone have a trustworthy homegrown method for removing an old cassette without the use of a chain whip? Just curious... I bought a new cassette and new lockring tool, but didn't buy the chain whip yet.

Ideas? Just go get the whip? It seems like a pretty obscure tool that I won't use too often...

You could probably make your own chain whip out of an old length of chain. Or possibly anchor and old piece of of chain to something, but really you should ask yourself what's it's worth to you. I mean you did buy a lockring tool, so obviously you think you'll be putting on a cassette with some frequency, which means that you'll probably be taking off cassettes the same amount. Unless of course you're just upgrading wheels all the time. kidding.

dude. you don't need to buy a nice one. I've seen cheap ones at my lbs on sale for $6. They work. I have one.

GL,
-don

 

[Ebo]

I'm with you. You will only have to buy one and it will serve you forever. I think I paid $6 many years ago.

 

[Jayem]

Does anyone have a trustworthy homegrown method for removing an old cassette without the use of a chain whip? Just curious... I bought a new cassette and new lockring tool, but didn't buy the chain whip yet.

Ideas? Just go get the whip? It seems like a pretty obscure tool that I won't use too often...

Use a rag to hold the cassette, and then insert the cassette tool with a lever arm (like a big wrench) and then hit the lever arm with a hammer in the direction that the cassette turns. This is the only non-chainwhip technique that I've been able to use, but it can be a pain in the arse sometimes and hard on your hands.

 

[JasonPruitt]

An old piece of chain in some vice grips has worked for me.

 

[Jerk_Chicken]

Put the qr through the tool to hold it to the lockring to make it a bit easier with a limited number of hands.

I've used pieces of old chains on wood, but now just use a work glove to hold the cassette.

 

[Cabin Fever]

i agree with the other guys - get a chainwhip. it isn't a major investment like a headset press or a truing stand, and you'll use it a lot more often. sure, it can be done with just using a chain, but for me, it isn't worth the struggle to save a few bucks. there is a reason why humans invented tools - to get the job done right.

 

[Legbacon]

No Whip Needed

Wow, how tight are you cranking the lock ring? I have a chain whip but for cassettes I just hold the cassette with a rag to protect my hand and loosen the lockring with the tool and adjustable wrench. Quicker and easier.

 

[Jim311]

I wonder if an impact wrench would work

 

[haro_xls]

thanks, interesting ideas, couldn't get the darn thing off though

Thanks for all of the ideas. I'm not sure if I was holding it right, but I was trying the rag method, and just couldn't seem to get enough leverage. Then I tried a vice grip directly on the large cog of the cassette, and couldn't get it to budge (and I was starting to bend one of my spokes).

Then, I tried the old chain method, where I held it with a glove. Still nothing.

This thing was put on very tight!

I'm just gonna get the tool now. I spent half of last evening fooling with this, and I remembered that I sliced my thumb really good last year while messing with the front derailleur by not having the right tools.

LOL

Doh!

 

[Ebo]

Good choice. Not quite sure why so many here can't cough up $6 for a tool that works. Funny stuff.

 

[Cabin Fever]

Good choice. Not quite sure why so many here can't cough up $6 for a tool that works. Funny stuff.

agreed. why make it harder on one's self?

 

[BrianU]

If you do not need the old cassette.

Does anyone have a trustworthy homegrown method for removing an old cassette without the use of a chain whip? Just curious... I bought a new cassette and new lockring tool, but didn't buy the chain whip yet.

Ideas? Just go get the whip? It seems like a pretty obscure tool that I won't use too often...

Channellocks will let you get a really good grip on the cassette. Of course I would not recommend this on a cassette that I want to re-use. I am with everyone else, buy the tool, but if you have a medium set of channellocks, this can get you on the trail until you buy the correct tool.

Brian

 

[slaw]

Of the multitude of tools that I own, I don't have a chain whip. I also hold the cassette with a rag or cycling glove and use a Hypercracker to undo the lockring. When I do it back up, I don't do it very tight so it's easy to get off next time. Means it's easy for on road repairs such as spoke replacement, without having to use the Hypercraker in the frame.
Recently I came across another cyclist on a ride who had broken a couple of spokes but couldn't replace them with his cassette on.
I tried my trusty Hypercracker with glove on the cassette, but it wouldn't budge. We then held the wheel with the cassette resting on a wooden block, then used a rock on the Hypercracker to nudge the lockring loose. It worked without damage to the cassette.

 

[Ebo]

Time to buy a whip I think.