Originally Posted by
aerodave
So I just finished taking the SRAM PG950 cassette off my bike for the first time. As I went to lay it on the bench, I was surprised that it didn't stay in one piece. Instead, the small bolt that runs through all the big cogs fell out and all 9 gears slid past each other in a small jumble on the bench... But what's the story here?
It's there to keep the cassette together for easier assembly, and once sprockets have been lined up on the body its job is done.