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-   -   Do XT cassettes last longer? (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1240243-do-xt-cassettes-last-longer.html)

stratman 10-08-21 04:59 PM
Do XT cassettes last longer?
 
I run nine speed triple on a road bike. I'm keen to future proof my set up, so have bought spare derailleurs, shifters. What I haven't stocked up on is spare cassettes (or chains). There are still some XT M770 cassettes available. They are about double the price of available Sora (HG50?) cassettes. Will they last twice as long? Or are there any other reasons to pay the extra? My rear shifts are perfect at the moment, on a Sora cassette with M772 RD.

Thanks.

Crankycrank 10-08-21 05:10 PM
Originally Posted by stratman (Post 22262884)
I run nine speed triple on a road bike. I'm keen to future proof my set up, so have bought spare derailleurs, shifters. What I haven't stocked up on is spare cassettes (or chains). There are still some XT M770 cassettes available. They are about double the price of available Sora (HG50?) cassettes. Will they last twice as long? Or are there any other reasons to pay the extra? My rear shifts are perfect at the moment, on a Sora cassette with M772 RD.
Thanks.
Performance and durability will be about the same. What you're paying for is lighter weight usually. Pricier Shimano cassettes will have cogs riveted to aluminum carriers and better finishing/plating requiring more complex manufacturing ($$$) but the teeth are much the same.

HillRider 10-08-21 06:10 PM
A quick Google search turned up dozens of listings for 9-speed cassettes from Shimano, SRAM and a couple of lesser known brands in a variety of quality levels from HG50 up to Ultegra. Even Amazon lists them so I wouldn't worry about future supply problems. For that matter, even 7 and 8-speed cassettes are still fairly easy to find.

As to 9-speed chains, if you have problems finding them, 10-speed chains will work just fine on a 9-speed cassette. I've used 10-speed chains on an 8-speed cassette and it worked perfectly.

stratman 10-08-21 06:55 PM
Originally Posted by HillRider (Post 22262942)
A quick Google search turned up dozens of listings for 9-speed cassettes from Shimano, SRAM and a couple of lesser known brands in a variety of quality levels from HG50 up to Ultegra. Even Amazon lists them so I wouldn't worry about future supply problems. For that matter, even 7 and 8-speed cassettes are still fairly easy to find.

As to 9-speed chains, if you have problems finding them, 10-speed chains will work just fine on a 9-speed cassette. I've used 10-speed chains on an 8-speed cassette and it worked perfectly.
Do you think an XT cassette will last twice as long as a Sora cassette?

Rolla 10-08-21 07:12 PM
Originally Posted by stratman (Post 22262983)
Do you think an XT cassette will last twice as long as a Sora cassette?
That depends entirely on how you use and maintain it, but there's nothing inherently more durable about XT. They do claim that the pins behind the biggest cog can help prevent spoke damage in the event of an overshift.

SoSmellyAir 10-08-21 07:28 PM
Originally Posted by stratman (Post 22262884)
I'm keen to future proof my set up, so have bought spare derailleurs, shifters. What I haven't stocked up on is spare cassettes (or chains).
This hoarding priority seems wrong. In order of importance: chain, cassette, derailleurs, then shifters.

stratman 10-08-21 07:39 PM
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir (Post 22263010)
This hoarding priority seems wrong. In order of importance: chain, cassette, derailleurs, then shifters.
Do you think an XT cassette will last longer than a Sora cassette?

Andrew R Stewart 10-08-21 07:41 PM
Some basic understandings are due here. The steels used for cogs are chosen for their manufacturing ease and cost before any wear rate. For any significantly longer wear the steel in a specific cassette will need to be hardened and I don't know of any claim of this from any brand. What I do hear a lot is about the coatings on the steel. Oxide/bluing type finishes on the low cost and various harder coatings on the better stuff. These coatings are still softer then the grit that a chain gets coated with in time. And that's the heart of the issue. The abrasives that are grit and grime will wear any coating or base steel given enough neglect or miles. Think about using sand paper on the various cogs and name one that won't be scratched by that. The better cog coatings will aid the chain's smoothness a tiny bit, reduce engagement friction slightly until the coating is worn through. BTW these coatings are only scant ten thousandths to a a few thousandths thick and tend to be brittle so they can break down and flake off off with stress.

I consider cogs, like chains, rings, pads, and bar tape to be consumables (and rims too but others spend so much for their wheels that they can't get past the investment aspects). Sometimes I get lower cost stuff for myself and sometimes I splurge and get the fancy and lighter weight expensive stuff. But My eyes are open to what I am expecting. Andy

stratman 10-08-21 07:46 PM
Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart (Post 22263030)
Some basic understandings are due here. The steels used for cogs are chosen for their manufacturing ease and cost before any wear rate. For any significantly longer wear the steel in a specific cassette will need to be hardened and I don't know of any claim of this from any brand. What I do hear a lot is about the coatings on the steel. Oxide/bluing type finishes on the low cost and various harder coatings on the better stuff. These coatings are still softer then the grit that a chain gets coated with in time. And that's the heart of the issue. The abrasives that are grit and grime will wear any coating or base steel given enough neglect or miles. Think about using sand paper on the various cogs and name one that won't be scratched by that. The better cog coatings will aid the chain's smoothness a tiny bit, reduce engagement friction slightly and until the coating is worn through BTW these coatings are only scant ten thousandths to a a few thousandths thick and tens to be brittle so they can break down and flake off off with stress.

I consider cogs, like chains, rings, pads, and bar tape to be consumables (and rims too but others spend so much for their wheels that they can't get past the investment aspects). Sometimes I get lower cost stuff for myself and sometimes I splurge and get the fancy and lighter weight expensive stuff. But My eyes are open to what I am expecting. Andy
Thank you for a useful reply.

HillRider 10-08-21 08:11 PM
Originally Posted by stratman (Post 22262983)
Do you think an XT cassette will last twice as long as a Sora cassette?
Given the same care and riding style, no. As above, the more expensive cassette will be lighter and prettier but not significantly more durable.

SoSmellyAir 10-08-21 09:21 PM
Originally Posted by stratman (Post 22263027)
Do you think an XT cassette will last longer than a Sora cassette?
Doubtful.

When I went 1X conversion on my hybrid bike, I decided to replace my 8 speed 11-32 Altus CS-HG31 cassette to get the slightly different 11-30 gearing, and paid a few more dollars for an Alivio CS-HG51 which has a shinier finish than an Acera CS-HG41.

Cyclist0108 10-08-21 10:05 PM
Originally Posted by stratman (Post 22263027)
Do you think an XT cassette will last longer than a Sora cassette?
No

Cyclist0108 10-08-21 10:06 PM
Originally Posted by stratman (Post 22262983)
Do you think an XT cassette will last twice as long as a Sora cassette?
No X 2

ThermionicScott 10-08-21 10:07 PM
Originally Posted by stratman (Post 22262884)
I run nine speed triple on a road bike. I'm keen to future proof my set up, so have bought spare derailleurs, shifters. What I haven't stocked up on is spare cassettes (or chains). There are still some XT M770 cassettes available. They are about double the price of available Sora (HG50?) cassettes. Will they last twice as long? Or are there any other reasons to pay the extra? My rear shifts are perfect at the moment, on a Sora cassette with M772 RD.

Thanks.
Don't forget spare chainrings. Triples have fallen from favor. ;)

Cyclist0108 10-08-21 10:08 PM
I don't know if this is true for 9 speed, but for some of the 11 and 12 speed cassettes, the largest cogs are aluminum, so they are likely to be shorter lived.

alcjphil 10-08-21 10:26 PM

Do XT cassettes last longer?

No, they don't. However, they are lighter

Darth Lefty 10-08-21 10:50 PM
The coatings Andy mentioned aren’t really there for wear, for the most part. They are rust prevention, and gunk doesn’t stick as hard to glossy surfaces. So in that sense, yes, they help. They’re also prettier.

The best way to future proof your bike is… not to worry about that, it’s doomed. Premium 9 speed is a snapshot of 15-20 years ago.

sch 10-11-21 10:16 AM
Originally Posted by wgscott (Post 22263162)
I don't know if this is true for 9 speed, but for some of the 11 and 12 speed cassettes, the largest cogs are aluminum, so they are likely to be shorter lived.
OTOH the large cogs are about the same size as the chainwheels which IME last longer than steel cassettes.


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