Bicycle Mechanics - Cassette cog spacing: MTB vs. Road

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Portis
10-27-07, 03:28 PM
Is there any difference in cog spacing between road and mtb cassettes? I am sure there isn't, but once i thought i read that you couldn't use brifters with a mtb cassette, so that made me wonder if the spacing is different.

EXAMPLE:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12911-065_SRA854-3-Parts-51-Cassettes/Sram-PG-850-Cassette-8-Speed-2007.htm

vs.


http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15923-065_SRA857-3-Parts-51-Cassettes/Sram-PG-850-8-Speed-Road-Cassette-'07.htm

HillRider
10-27-07, 03:43 PM
No, Shimano road and MTB cassettes are spaced the same if the number of cogs is the same. For example 9-speed road and MTB cassettes are spaced the same. Road 10-speed cassettes are unique because there are no 10-speed MTB components.
ad6mj
10-27-07, 03:44 PM
They're the same. "Mountain" cassettes work fine with brifters. If you exceed 30 teeth on the largest sprocket though you will need to change your "road" rear derailer to a "mountain" rear derailer which will work fine with brifters. OTOH, front derailers and shifters a for road and mountain require a different amount of cable pull and are not interchangeable.