Bicycle Mechanics - SRAM Red 11-28 cassette, up-shifting not smooth

Hello all,

I hope someone can help me. I recently changed my cassette to a SRAM red 11-28, 10-speed, which in combination with my newly added 50-34 compact double provides some excellent gearing options. When I changed the cassette, I also changed the chain with a new dura ace. The rest of my components are Shimano Ultegra. 50% of the time when I upshift, the chain doesn't quite go into gear on the cassette. This causes a lot of irritating noise which can only be fixed by waiting for the chain to find the gear. This takes about 20 seconds or more. Another solution when this happens, I simply upshift to the next gear and then downshift one gear. What is happening here? Is it the rear derailer? I was planning on changing the RD to a SRAM, but I read that this won't work because of incompatibility. What if I changed the chain to a SRAM? Or is it possible that my mechanic simply didn't adjust the derailer properly? Thanks for helping.

Something is not adjusted correctly. You spent some GOOD Money at that shop for a Dura Ace Chain and a RED SRAM Cassette. You spent probably $200 for the chain and the cassette together and then paid to have these installed. You obviously like GOOD Quality parts on your bike!

This problem could all be in the adjustment of the rear derailluer, specifically the "B" tension adjustment and a Cable Tension adjustment.

While many people LOVE the 11-28 due to the range of the cassette, some RD's do not have the capacity to work with these cassettes.

ang1sgt,

Thanks for your reply. If no one else chimes in, then I will take the bike back to the mechanic. Perhaps the derailer is too old. I believe it is a 2004 Ultegra. I wonder if a newer Ultegra or Dura Ace would do the trick???

Unless you were having the same or similar issues before replacing the cassette and chain, I doubt the problem is a worn derailleur. Probably just an adjustment issue, as noted before.

Just wondering, though, why you went with a SRAM cassette instead of an Ultegra or a Dura-Ace? Does Shimano not make a cassette with that gear range? From what I've read here (and my experience with Shimano vs. my new SRAM Rival cassette), the Shimano cassettes generally seem to be smoother shifting.

If you have a Shimano RD the max it is supposed to take is a 27 toot cassette. I have adjusted these type of RD's to take a Sram 28. I think htat the problem is cable tension. take the bike back and tell the mechaninc to get it right. As was stated you paid good $$ for thise components and they need to work right.

I took the bike back to the mechanic for a tune-up. It is working fine now. Thanks for all who were willing to help out.