Palomar01

I just got a new rear cassette. It is a Shimano Ultegra CS6700 11-25T, which I want it to replace a similar cassette with 11-28T.

How difficult is it to replace the rear cassette? How long does it take? Anything I need to watch out for, like special lubricant, torque figures, washers, etc? Can I just take the wheel and cassette to my LBS and expect them to be able to perform the operation fairly quickly?

Thanks for the advice all.

DRietz

Probably the easiest of all bike maintenance. A good shop can have the procedure done in two minutes for free.

Carbon Unit

It is fairly easy. You need a few tools. Then, pay close attention to how the old one cames off so that they new one goes back on the same way. Most bike shops will charge you $10.00 to replace a cassette.

AdelaaR

You need 2 things: a chain whip and a special cassette removal bit specific to your brand & cassette.
The rest is just following the schematic in the manual ... some cassettes have their spacers on other ends so pay a bit of attention there.

gregf83 

You need a chain whip, a cassette socket and, ideally, a torque wrench. It's simple once you have the tools.

M_FactorX19

this.

it is very easy but you do need the right tools.

GP

You may need a longer chain and you'll probably have to adjust the rear deraillieur.

Beaker

Not for a smaller range cassette.

I'd also include a long ziptie or equivalent so that you can easily keep the cogs and spacers in the same order once you slide them off the hub.

OP, it's an easy switch.

Elvo

If you're near Irvine, you can borrow my chain whip and cassette tool. And yeah, you probably need a longer chain and will definitely need to adjust the RD

Palomar01

Thanks all. ********** thanks for offering. I'm riding the bike this weekend so don't plan to change until next week. I will just take the wheel and new cassette to my LBS and ask them nicely to install the new one during my lunch break.

I'm going from 11-28 to 11-25. So do I need a longer chain? I'm getting conflicting answers.

tagaproject6

11-28 down to 11-25
NO, you do not need a longer chain.

GP

I read your original post wrong and thought you were going to a 11-28. You won't need a longer chain if you're installing the 11-25.

ericm979

Unless you have a really good relationship with your shop they're going to charge you for that. In the bay area you'll need to be on good terms simply to get it done while you wait (unless it's winter when things are slower). Especially with parts that you bought elsewhere. Shops depend on the profit the make from selling parts/accessories.

If you buy a chain whip and a lockring tool then you can change cassettes for the rest of your life for free and not have to use your lunch hour every time you want to get it done.

datlas 

It's up to you, but if you are going to be riding a lot you probably want to invest the $25 or so for the cassette tool (park FR-5) and a chain whip. You don't really need a torque wrench, just a crescent wrench. There are lots of videos on youtube or the park tool website that show you how to change a cassette.

Even a relative klutz like me can do it easily. It's a VERY useful skill to have.

That said, I am sure your LBS would be happy to take your money and make the switch in 3 minutes.

Bioluminescence

My LBS charged my about $6 for changing it out last time I made a switch. 30 seconds flat.

Elvo

Rather than pay your LBS $10 or so to switch it, buy both from Performance...the cassette tool is $5, chain whip is $12.

wrr1020

Theirs a seller on ebay that sells both the lockring removal tool and a chain whip for about $20. If you already have an adjustable wrench your good to go. Its easy to do and nice to have the tools to be able to do it again in the future.

Palomar01

You guys made compelling arguments. I will head to PB and get the tools and get the points and save with their 15% off discount.

I just watched a How-To video. Yes it seems even a caveman can do it! LOL!

Thank you all. You guys are very helpful.

Thulsadoom

You can make a chain whip out of a piece of old chain and a hunk of steel pretty easily.

Palomar01

Got the tools from PB. Shimano Cassette needs the special tool to unscrew and tighten the cassette. I gotta say that the Spin Doctor tools they sell at PB are really nice. Better then some ofthe Park Tools.

I did it in less then 10 minutes! Woohoo!

I did have to retune my RD afterwards. Thanks all.

DRietz

Glad it worked out for ya. If you had brought it in to Eden Bicycles (that's where I work), I always do that stuff for free. Sometimes my boss sees and docks the service fee from my pay, but what the hell. We shouldn't be charging for stuff like that anyway.

Palomar01

I need to have an equivalent of you down here in SoCal. Not to get free stuff done of course but a nice easy, going, bike mechanic.

Yeah it was really easy even for a caveman like me.

Ghouse

should a link be taken out of the chain going from a 28 to 25? it seems that might be necessary... maybe not, what do you wrenching gurus think?

10 Wheels

I run the same chain with a 14-25 or a 11-34
No problem

MNBikeCommuter

The RD is already taking up the current slack when the chain is on the 11T, so the OP is good to go for the new cassette.