acape

A couple weeks ago I got a new set of wheels and put a new 12-23 cassette on the rear. When I got it the guy told me I had to switch the chain whenever I switched the cassette, so I just got a new chain. My old cassette and my old chain both had about 1200 miles on them. Now I'm thinking I want to go back to my old cassette, which is a 12-26, because I miss that little extra low end. Can I just put my old cassette back on and use the new chain? The chain only has 30 miles or so on it, and as I said, the old cassette has about 1200 miles on it.

I ask because the guy told me I always had to switch the cassette and chain at the same time. He said if you get a new cassette, you need a new chain. And I then specifically asked him if I got a new chain do I need to get a new cassette too, and he said yes. Seems like he might have been just trying to sell me a new chain. I can understand in cases of extreme wear, but I don't see why one couldn't put a new chain on an old cassette.

Thanks.

whitemax

Did you mean 12,000 miles? There is no way that a cassette with only 1,200 miles needs to be replaced. My currnet cassette has 11,000 miles on it and shows very little wear. You do not need to change a cassette each time you change a chain, that is complete madness. This guy is trying to take advantage of you. Find an honest person to buy your parts from. Any yes you can put your old cassette back on with your new chain provided it is a 9 speed chain and your cassette is also 9 speed or 10 speed chain with 10 speed cassette and provided the cassette is not worn out. Good luck!

Avalanche325

If you don't let the chain go too long, you can go through about three chains on one cassette.

If I was getting a new cassette I would put a new chain on. But not the other way around.

acape

No, I meant 1,200. I know the cassette didn't NEED to be replaced, but I wanted to try a different gear set, and I planned to leave the other one on the old wheels in case I wanted to swap them out. He wasn't trying to sell me a new cassette, just the new chain. So I am good to go putting my old cassette back on with a new chain, then. Thanks much!

merlinextraligh

Chains are cheaper than cassettes. Running new cassettes with old (stretched ) chains will trash your cassettes prematurely. So you should replace the chain relatively frequently. (You can measure the links to determine if they need replaced.) If you're replacing a worn out cassette you definitely want a new chain.
Putting a new chain on a worn cassete may expose the fact that the cassette's worn and needs replaced, but you'll know it when it doesn't shift well. You don't need a new chain everytime you switch cassettes, just to switch gearing.

bbattle

An old chain will wear out a new cassette; the same may be true for the old cassette/new chain. But chains are cheap; I wouldn't worry about it. Slap that new chain on the old cassette.