Camilo

I'm looking for a good 8 speed cassette in the 11-36 or 12-36 range. There's lots of options for 11-34, in the well regarded brands (Shimano, Sram, Sunrace, Microshift) but none make a 11 or 12-36 that I have found.

I just want to get that extra gear for my wife's bike in the easiest way possible

There are several brands on Amazon and other sites that make 11-36 8 speed going by the names of ZTTO, Bolany, JFOYH, VG Sport and a couple others. From what I can see from the images and from online reviews, these are all probably the same cassette.

They get mixed reviews from excellent to crap, so probably worth just putting one on and trying it, they're very inexpensive.

Just wondering if there's a brand or source I've missed.

Thanks

Kontact

I've found 8 speed to be really limited these days. You can't get a 13-28 or 12-28 either.

I would be inclined to consider smaller chainrings.

Camilo

yeah I've looked into that too. I'll probably do that if I can't find a decent cassette. Who knows, the cheap one might work fine for her.

maddog34

Shimano.CS-HG50-10 11-36... other than that i'd try a Bucklos or Bolany.. both are trying to build a good rep and hopefully they've upped quality in response to early issues.. they have responded to complaints about the air forks they were pawning off on unsuspecting cheapskates a few years ago... how much and how hard does your wife ride? not much? Bolany. A Lot and Hard? Shimano.(walmart has them listed for less $)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/39352685840...Bk9SR965qbrfYQ

Bill Kapaun

Throw in a new 9 speed chain & R. shifter with a new 9 speed cassette and your options are much wider.

Camilo

Yes of course I can always go that far but want to just try the cassette.

Kontact

Or sell the whole bike.

Canker

Trace Velo over on youtube has some cassette vids I think using ZTTO and VG sport, not 8 speed though. For what is worth I'm running a ZTTO BB on my mountain bike because they were the only company that made a thread together(wheels manufacturing style) BB that worked with my specific situation. I've only had it since June but so far so good. If it lasts a year it will match the last Race Face BB it replaced.

csport

Yes, 8 speed is getting scarce, but have there ever been any mainstream 8 speed 11-36 cassettes? Sheldon Brown's page on 8 speed cassettes lists 11-34 as the on with the largest cog. You can try building a custom one (e.g., take an 11-32, add a 36 from another cassette to the bottom and replace 11 and 13 with a top position 13).
Also, these days there are new wide range cassettes - for example, Shimano 11-40 HG400: https://www.treefortbikes.com/Shiman...8-Speed-11-40t or even cheaper Sunrace equivalent: https://www.amazon.com/Race-CSM680-8.../dp/B01N7VRAFM
You may need an extender for the RD hanger, maybe a new RD with a higher capacity. OTOH 11-40 will be a more significant improvement compared to 11-36.

Camilo

Thanks. I've found the same thing (11-40, etc. being available, but not 11-36) and agree that it will be a more significant change over 11-36.

I'm also aware of and pondering going that route w/ an extender - as well as already being aware of all the other suggestions that have been made like new chain ring, changing the whole thing to 9+speeds, etc. All feasible to varying extent. A change to 9 or 10 speed is not out of the question if this particular bike "takes"

But, I'm still wanting to just do 8 speed 11-36 for a variety of reasons I have even if it's a short term deal. I'll try one of the "off brands", and if it works, it will be the simplest for me at this point, and it will be adequate gearing for this project. Thus my question as to whether there's more main stream sources. Looks like the answer is no. I hope to report on the success of the no-name cassette I end up buying, probably in a couple of months.

I appreciate all the input I've received.

csport

I thought that since the 11-40 is a Shimano cassette they should have some RD to go with it - right? productinfo.shimano.com shows that it works with RD-M3020-8, which can accomodate a 40t cog.
https://www.performancebike.com/shim...8sgsl/p1454655
At least with this one you do not need an extender.