Bicycle Mechanics - Cassette installation question

I am installing a Shimano Hyperglide cassette, and just one small part is not clear to me.

I put the main body of the cassette onto the splined hub, but there is one small very thin space like black ring, the smallest cog, and the lock ring, to put on.

My question is, where does the small thin space like black ring go? Between the main cassette body and the smallest cog, or between the smallest cog and the lock ring?

TIA

The spacer goes between the main cassette body and the smallest cog.

You'll know that you have done it right if
* the cogs are all equally spaced
* the lock ring screws in properly and flush against the cassette

I hope that helps!

Ah, thank you very much. Was thinking that was how it must go, but I like to be 100% sure.

Not so fast. Exactly what cassette do you have? how many cogs?
The only spacer between the smallest cog and the rest of the cassette is the built-in spacer on the back of the first position cog. 10-speed cassettes have a spacer that goes between the cassette and the back of the hub. There is also a very thin spacer on the backside of the lockring that is normally attached to the lockring and is not essential. Check the Shimano Euorpean website for exploded views of their cassettes:
http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/media/cycling/techdocs/en/bikecomponents/CS/EV-CS-6600_v1_m56577569830537975.pdf

Al

Not so fast. Exactly what cassette do you have? how many cogs?
The only spacer between the smallest cog and the rest of the cassette is the built-in spacer on the back of the first position cog.
Again, not so fast. I have two 7-speed cassettes that have a thin scalloped black spacer that goes behind the smallest cog (the one with the built in spacer). It is provided on some cassettes and not others probably based on spacing tolerances. And yes, it has to go there as the remaining six cogs are all bolted together as a unit and the original package came with the spacer assembled at that position.

Again, not so fast. I have two 7-speed cassettes that have a thin scalloped black spacer that goes behind the smallest cog (the one with the built in spacer). It is provided on some cassettes and not others probably based on spacing tolerances. And yes, it has to go there as the remaining six cogs are all bolted together as a unit and the original package came with the spacer assembled at that position.
Right on. There are several different variations in how the cogs and spacers go, among the different models and grades of Shimano Hyperglide cassettes.

That's why I told the OP to get all the cogs evenly spaced: if he gets that done, and the lockring screws down tight, he's sure to have installed the cassette correctly (fortunately all the Shimano cassettes have even cog spacing, unlike some of the Suntour ones).

Again, not so fast. I have two 7-speed cassettes that have a thin scalloped black spacer that goes behind the smallest cog (the one with the built in spacer). It is provided on some cassettes and not others probably based on spacing tolerances. And yes, it has to go there as the remaining six cogs are all bolted together as a unit and the original package came with the spacer assembled at that position.

Hmmm, is it Hyperglide?

Hmmm, is it Hyperglide?
Yep, both of them are.

Yep, both of them are.

Mine too.

Turns out my hub was an 8 speed, but my cassette was 7 speed.

I took it to the LBS and they added the spacer I needed and tightened it down, all within about 5 minutes.

Buck's Bikes in Round Rock is the best.