leeward

to be installed on my old bike? I've read every thread regarding removing/replacing cassettes and removing/installing new wheels I could find, but I still have some apprehension because it will be a first for me.

I know I have Ultegra 9 speed on my 1998 Kona Kapu, so I ordered a new 12-23 9 speed Ultegra cassette, a lockring tool and a chain whip. This should be easy, right? Won't even need the chain whip to install the new cassette on the Ritchey wheels I bought (Ritchey Pro Z - I'm a noob and don't want to spend a whole lot for decent performance and quality, if you're asking why I didn't go with Kysiriums or something along those lines), correct?

Just slide the cassette on the free hub, thread the lockring on and tighten, right? Then pop the new wheel on? That simple? HELP?

namaste1978

Yep, pretty simple, see this link for detailed info....
https://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQcogs.shtml

Retro Grouch 

Yup, just do it. Don't be afraid to tighten the lockring pretty tight. You're going to laugh at yourself when you see how easy it is.

leeward

Any issues you can think of with respect to compatability of 1998 parts and new parts? Do I have to worry about spacing of the rings on the cassette relative to my current set up or anything like that?

sydney

You are trying to make rocket science out of it.Take the old casette off,put the new one on,tighten lockring.Slight differences in brands of wheels might require a slight RD adjusment if shifting isn't perfect when the new wheel is installed.

sydney

The lockring has a torque spec on it.

DocF

Generic torque spec with lightly greased threads on lockring is 360 in/lb. (I just looked this up last night.) Your spec may by slightly different.

Doc

nnewton123

I just did this tonight for the first time. Took me about 10 minutes taking it pretty slowly. I found putting the rear wheel back on to be more of a pain than anything else!

On a side note... how are you people storing any extra cassettes you have? I guess it wouldn't be very difficult to put it back together, but it's kind of a lot of pieces laying around. Right now, I just have it laying on the ground from the biggest to smallest and then set the lockring on top.

Retro Grouch 

I just run a zip tie through the center of the cassette to keep everything together.

sydney

Then into a zip loc bag and into the freezer to prevent deterioration.

Zouf

I can just see the mother-in-law as she opens the freezer...

zensuit

No kidding...I was the same way...then I noticed some guys flipping cassettes right before a training ride and I though, "heck, I can do that!" And I could...lol