Is this cassette worn?
02-04-21, 06:26 PM
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Is this cassette worn?
Can you estimate % of wear? TIA!
02-04-21, 06:33 PM
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No, I can't. Unless the cogs are worn to obvious shark tooth profiles there is no way of knowing "what %" of its life has been used up. The only way to tell for sure is to install it with a new or nearly new chain and see if it skips under pressure in any of the cogs.
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02-04-21, 06:42 PM
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I can tell which cogs are used more than others which tells me a lot about the rider, but what % is used up or worn, not a clue.
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02-04-21, 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Bigbus
I can tell which cogs are used more than others which tells me a lot about the rider, but what % is used up or worn, not a clue.
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02-04-21, 07:01 PM
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Thanks for taking a crack at this guys, the guy wants $60 which is a good deal for an XT cassette but not if it's worn. Especially since I can buy the only SLIGHTLY heavier Sunrace version for $60 new
02-04-21, 07:36 PM
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I've worn out lots of cassettes, and they never showed visible wear.
The only way to know is to put a new chain on it, and try it out.
A cassette isn't something I would buy used.
The only way to know is to put a new chain on it, and try it out.
A cassette isn't something I would buy used.
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02-04-21, 08:02 PM
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It is 43.5830528925890714930603826% give or take a little.
If it is not having issues with your chain, then it is good. If it is having issues with your chain then it is probably worn. If you are buying it used from someone buy a new one and done. I wouldn't want someones used cassette or brake pads or other wear items. Unless it was something super rare and hard to find and I truly trusted the person selling them, I would just skip it. Used parts aren't worth it when you can't verify them.
If it is not having issues with your chain, then it is good. If it is having issues with your chain then it is probably worn. If you are buying it used from someone buy a new one and done. I wouldn't want someones used cassette or brake pads or other wear items. Unless it was something super rare and hard to find and I truly trusted the person selling them, I would just skip it. Used parts aren't worth it when you can't verify them.
02-04-21, 08:29 PM
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Buying a used cassette is about as attractive a proposition as buying a used toothbrush.
Microshift has some reasonable prices if you can't find a new XT one on sale. SLX is also a value proposition.
Microshift has some reasonable prices if you can't find a new XT one on sale. SLX is also a value proposition.
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 02-04-21 at 08:32 PM.
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02-04-21, 09:43 PM
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^This^ I can't imagine why anyone would buy a used cassette.
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02-04-21, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by davei1980
It be the big ones? Right?
As above, a used cassette is a bad gamble.
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02-05-21, 01:23 AM
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Originally Posted by wgscott
Buying a used cassette is about as attractive a proposition as buying a used toothbrush.
Microshift has some reasonable prices if you can't find a new XT one on sale. SLX is also a value proposition.
Microshift has some reasonable prices if you can't find a new XT one on sale. SLX is also a value proposition.
02-05-21, 05:03 AM
#13
Luke
Originally Posted by HillRider
No, it will usually be the middle size ones like the 15, 17, 19 as those are the ones most used. The biggest cogs are typically not used a great deal and are more durable since more teeth share the wear.
As above, a used cassette is a bad gamble.
As above, a used cassette is a bad gamble.
On an 11-46 (or is this 42?) cassette, if you use the 15t the most common, I recommend you a 38t cr
02-05-21, 07:54 AM
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I was going to jump on here and say there's no way to tell from a picture, you need to put it on a bike with a chain and try it out.
Then I looked at the picture.
Compare the tooth profiles from the middle cogs (4-7) with the smallest cog profiles, especially (because they're so visible) around 9:00. I'd say it's worn out. Worth scrap for the metal, which still isn't much because it's the wrong alloy for beer cans.
Really, buy a used cassette? Why not dirty underwear instead?
Then I looked at the picture.
Compare the tooth profiles from the middle cogs (4-7) with the smallest cog profiles, especially (because they're so visible) around 9:00. I'd say it's worn out. Worth scrap for the metal, which still isn't much because it's the wrong alloy for beer cans.
Really, buy a used cassette? Why not dirty underwear instead?
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02-05-21, 07:55 AM
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I agree with the above but can site one exception. Years ago I bought the inventory of a neighborhood shade tree mechanic, it included box full of maybe 20 used cassettes. They must have been pulled and replaced for gearing changes as many were really nice looking DA and Ultegra and as I recall the largest cogs were 23, I and the family have gotten many miles out of them.
Your situation does not appear to be similar.
Your situation does not appear to be similar.
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02-05-21, 08:39 AM
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That's a cool find though! But yeah, the savings margins are not huge here.... I have no shame, I can run a SR cassette on my blingy bike. I don't care!
02-05-21, 06:16 PM
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Contrary to the crowd I have bought used cassettes. But I wouldn't buy that one. A cassette has to look pristine and the story has to be something like "I only rode it a hundred miles and then swapped it for better gearing". The price also needs to reflect the risk and to me $60 doesn't in this case. I do agree that there is no way to know how worn a cassette is or how much life is left simply by looking at it.
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