Northern California - Am I going nuts?

There is probably a simple explanation for this, but I can't seem to find it. Why is there a "11-26" printed on the back of the cassette that I counted to have only 23t?

Here is a bigger picture. (http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=2719&zenid=c332489812c1dcd80b675c5512da3123)

Thanks.

It looks like SRAM removed three teeth from a 26 tooth ring for bridges and ended up with a 23 tooth ring? Just a guess on my part.

It's the equivalent of a 26T ring. I have gaps in my Rival and Force cassettes. Helps with the shifting supposedly. (It's called OpenGlide)



Cassette
Cogs on SRAM cassettes use a "missing tooth" (for example, the 13 has 12 teeth and one gap, the 14 has 13 teeth and one gap, and so on). SRAM says this makes for smoother shifting, and we agree.

SRAM cassettes shift better under load (when you're out of the saddle) better than Shimano 10spd cassettes. SRAM cassettes work great with Shimano drive trains.

SRAM Red offers the lightest all-steel cassette on the market. The first eight cogs are machined from a single piece of top-quality steel. This unit is then hollowed for light weight.

It's the new economy. They do that for cereals too, the boxes have the same size and price as before but there's less product inside.
SRAM pushes the concept further: You get less for more money. :cry: Isn't that sweet? :rolleyes:

Funny - I had the opposite problem. Ordered an OG1070 11-26 from PBK and received a PG1070 with the full set of teeth. Thought I'd been swindled, but the folks on the road forum informed me that SRAM are now switching back to the traditional design for the new Rival/Force cassettes. Jack, perhaps we should have a "shift-off" to see which technology wins? :D

I just installed a PG-1070 and, to me, there is a noticeable difference with the OpenGlide - the shifting is smoother IMO. I might switch back sometime after Death Ride if I can find an OG-1070 in an 11-28 config.

I have the OG1070 11-28 and I like it. I shift with wanton disregard for chain/cassette wear, up or down while standing, up hill, anything, and haven't had an issue.
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Thanks for the explanation, folks. I didn't realize technology has gone that far already. I guess I should have read, but hey, when you're so eager to enter your credit card number, who has time to read?

On a side note, this is a 11-26 vs. my previous 12-27. I hope my knees don't have a mutiny over this switch.