Bicycle Mechanics - 9 speed cassette recommendation needed for touring bike

I am new to this site and would appreaciate your recommendation.

On my 2003 Cannondale T800 the chain is having problems (stretched) and needs to be changed. I figure along with the chain it would be a good time to change the 9 speed cassette SCRAM Powerglide 11 - 34T unit.
I have heard good things about the following cassettes and would love to hear your recommendations. I am looking for something that would be durable on long distance touring.
Shimano XTR CS-M960
Shimano XT CS-M760
SCRAM PG990

Thanks for your help,
Liam

Also Where the best place to purchase on line would also be helpfull.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=llsfp&xhr=t&q=9+speed+cassette&cp=0&qe=OSBzcGVlZCBjYXNzZXR0ZQ&qesig=eZ9B_M06nS9-OtGPqA3k2g&pkc=AFgZ2tkJJQJYlwIKxWPARs5O84388BPgRHqX4cg-1_iwLZWyBP3RPQrxTgHDBt71GFuIcr-fL6nxQMjXZJKGecWNx33C8OkoiQ&pf=p&sclient=psy&site=&source=hp&aq=0&aqi=&aql=&oq=9+speed+cassette&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=cb36d1a85b29ff0f

Avoid the XTR cassette.
It has titanium large cogs.
So you pay 3x as much, for a cassette that lasts half as long, (as the XT cassette).

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-PG950-11-32T-9-Speed-Cassette/dp/B001A3DMBA/ref=sr_1_14?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1301545109&sr=1-14

A SRAM PG-950, PG-980, or PG-990 cassette would work fine. The only advantage of the higher-end cassettes is that you can color-coordinate your bike. For touring the weight difference is irrelevant.

Universal Cycles sells them all: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=357


http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/31594.jpg
http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/31595.jpg

If you didn't think you had a low enough gear already the Shimano HG61 goes from 12-36 and is compatible with all Shimano / SRAM 9 speed systems, has steel cogs for strength and is an extra robust unit. It is advised that you use the HG61 hub body as you can really lay down the torque with this and it is extra strong to handle this.

It lists for $50.00 at Universal Cycles if this came in an 8 speed version I would be all over it and a modern long cage derailleur should be able to handle the extra 2 teeth and may just need longer B screw... 4mm by 20mm.

Have found that the lower end Shimano also works really well and that you really only pay a small weight penalty.

Would avoid the XTR because of the price and because the Ti cogs will not last as long... XT level parts hit the sweet spot for weight, strength, and longevity and if you can find an LX they are also fabulous.

Agree completely with the comments about XTR components. XTR is competition grade equipment that is more geared to weight reduction than durability.

But I wouldn`t even be looking at 9 speed for touring myself. The chains are not as strong, are more expensive and harder to come by than the chains used on 6 to 8 speed drivetrains.

Of course even decent 8 speed systems are getting harder to find.

8 speed cassettes and chains are easy to find... it is the shifters that are getting scarcer... especially at the upper end of the scale.

Wish that manufacturers realized that 9-10 speed was not what everyone wants.

If Shimano offered that 36 tooth cog as a single I'd pony up the money for it and put it into an 8 speed which is what I use for touring and don't have any 9 speed set ups of my own as 8 speed is way cheaper to maintain.

8 speed cassettes and chains are easy to find... it is the shifters that are getting scarcer... especially at the upper end of the scale.

Wish that manufacturers realized that 9-10 speed was not what everyone wants.

If Shimano offered that 36 tooth cog as a single I'd pony up the money for it and put it into an 8 speed which is what I use for touring and don't have any 9 speed set ups of my own as 8 speed is way cheaper to maintain.

I don't know for sure about the HG61, but the HG51 cassettes are riveted steel cogs. Drill out the rivets and you have individual cogs and spacers. Your 8 speed shifter shouldn't have a problem with a 9 speed cog on the end as long as you still use an 8 speed spacer. See if you can find out how the HG61 is assembled.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/k7.html

If you can't find one here you may need a custom. The site that carries Sheldon's words of wisdom has a huge selection of cassettes.

For touring the best 8 speed shifters are still available.
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SL-BS64-Ultegra-Shifter-8-Speed/dp/B000F5EFOC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1301591053&sr=8-1

Shimano K a 13 -34 7 speed was a good cog range and ratio selection.
only if chainring is a 44t would a smaller high gear be practical for #8

If the OP has 9-speed shifters it does not make sense to recommend anything but a 9-speed cassette.

My recommendation is for a 12-34 XT cassette assuming that the 34 is needed.

I also recommend a 9-speed Ultegra / XT chain (although I prefer the D-A chain).

I don't know for sure about the HG61, but the HG51 cassettes are riveted steel cogs. Drill out the rivets and you have individual cogs and spacers. Your 8 speed shifter shouldn't have a problem with a 9 speed cog on the end as long as you still use an 8 speed spacer. See if you can find out how the HG61 is assembled.

The Hg 61 is put together in the same manner... it was designed for 29'r bikes to give them an equivalent low gearing as a mountain bike, the bigger wheel size required a bigger rear cog.

Might have to order one and use it as a donor... the extra cogs would also be useful in building up or replacing worn cogs on 8-9 speed set ups.

Theoretically, Shimano offers single cogs but they can be hard to find as not many of us build up our own cassettes.

i have the low end SRAM 11/32 on one bike and a deore 11/32 on another. both have been good to me. the srams are available from nashbar for cheap and i think they have 11-34 in stock.

Theoretically, Shimano offers single cogs but they can be hard to find as not many of us build up our own cassettes.

Harris sells Shimano and Miche singles. I don't work for them, but I am buying a Miche 27 cog for my 12-25 roadie.

Harris sells Shimano and Miche singles. I don't work for them, but I am buying a Miche 27 cog for my 12-25 roadie.

Theoretically... :)

They have them listed (no 36) and are quite often out of stock on many Shimano cogs.