Looking for a new cassette for your bike? Whether you have a road bike , mountain bike , or gravel bike , choosing the right cassette plays a crucial role in your riding experience. Top brands like Shimano , SRAM , and Campagnolo offer a wide range of cassettes suitable for different types of bikes and riding conditions. In this guide, we'll discuss the differences between road bike cassettes and MTB cassettes , and which lines from these brands are best suited to your bike.
Differences between road bike cassettes and MTB cassettes
Road bike cassettes
Road bike cassettes are typically lighter and have a wider range of gears with smaller cogs. This makes them ideal for riding on paved roads, where precision and speed are essential. Most road bike cassettes have a gear range of 11-28 to 11-32 teeth, but there are also cassettes available with an even wider range for longer climbs and descents.
MTB cassettes
MTB cassettes are more robust and designed for rougher conditions. They have a wider range for shifting on steep climbs and muddy trails. MTB cassettes are often wider (e.g., 11-42 or 10-50 teeth), allowing mountain bikers to climb more easily without sacrificing speed on flat sections.
Bicycle cassettes for gravel bikes
Both road bike cassettes and MTB cassettes can be suitable for gravel bikes , depending on your riding style and terrain. Gravel bikes often have a cassette that offers the best of both worlds: sufficient gears for speed on asphalt, but also a wide range for rough gravel paths and light off-road sections.
The Cassette: An Essential Part of the Drivetrain
The cassette is a crucial part of a road bike 's drivetrain. Along with other components such as the chain ,crankset , front and rear derailleurs (including jockey wheels ) , and pedals , it forms the system that efficiently transfers power from your legs to the wheels. The cassette consists of a set of sprockets that allow you to shift between different gears depending on the terrain and your speed.
Other important components of the drivetrain include:
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Chain : Connects the cassette to the crankset and ensures power transfer.
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Crankset : Consists of the chainrings and the crank arms, which you use to drive the pedals.
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Derailleurs : The front and rear derailleurs ensure that the chain moves from one sprocket to the next.
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Pedals : The parts on which you apply your force to move the bike forward.
The 3 biggest brands and their cassettes
Shimano
Shimano is the market leader in bicycle cassettes, offering a wide range of options for both road bikes and mountain bikes. The popular Shimano Ultegra and Shimano Dura-Ace cassettes are ideal for road bikes, offering precise shifting and high performance. For gravel and mountain bikes, Shimano offers the XT and SLX lines, which are robust and suitable for off-road use.
Popular Shimano cassettes:
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Ultegra (racing bike)
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Dura-Ace (racing bike)
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XT (MTB and gravel)
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SLX (MTB and gravel)
SRAM
SRAM offers cassettes for both high-performance road bikes and rugged mountain bikes. The SRAM Force and SRAM Red cassettes are designed for road bikes and offer excellent speed and precision. For mountain bikes and gravel bikes, SRAM offers the Eagle and NX cassettes, designed for off-road conditions and with a wide range for technical sections.
Popular SRAM cassettes:
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Force (racing bike)
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Red (racing bike)
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Eagle (MTB and gravel)
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NX (MTB and gravel)
Campagnolo
Campagnolo is known for its high quality and precision, especially in the road bike world. The Campagnolo Super Record and Record cassettes are designed for top performance on the road. Campagnolo also offers cassettes suitable for gravel riders, such as the Campagnolo Ekar cassette, which is specifically designed for gravel bikes and off-road use.
Popular Campagnolo cassettes:
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Super Record (racing bike)
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Record (racing bike)
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Ekar (gravel)
Buying a cassette? Choose the right one for your riding style!
When buying a cassette, it's important to consider the type of bike, your riding style, and the terrain you'll be riding. Road bike cassettes are ideal for speed and efficiency on asphalt, while MTB cassettes are suitable for rough terrain and steep climbs. Gravel bike cassettes offer an excellent balance for versatile riding on and off-road.
Whether you choose Shimano , SRAM , or Campagnolo , the right cassette will enhance your performance and riding comfort. Browse our extensive range and order the perfect cassette for your bike today!
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