Takabrash

I have a Surly Cross Check Complete and, as a Clyde living in hilly Knoxville, TN, I need some lower gear action I'd like to switch out the cassette. Will I be able to switch it out to another 9 speed cassette like this or this without any other modifications than adjusting the rear derailer? Or will it be a bigger project than I really want to get into? Thanks.

Little Darwin

To go with a megarange cassette (i.e. 34 tooth rear cog) you will need to go with a different rear derailleur, and probably need to lengthen your chain as well.

You will probably want to go with something like a Shimano Deore LX rear derailleur, which is a mountain bike RD, but it will work fine, since for the rear derailleur, mountain and road components are compatible in the Shimano line.

cachehiker

You'd be OK with a 11-28 cassette (could require some B-screw adjustments and other tweaking to get it shifting properly) or a 12-27 cassette and a 34 tooth inner ring. You should make sure the chain is long enough before swapping the cassette out for something bigger though.

well biked

You could:

install a nine speed "mountain" cassette (either 11 x 32 or 11 x 34), mountain rear derailleur to handle a cog that large, and a longer chain.

Or install a third chainring (the stock Crosschecks I've seen have cranksets that are drilled for a third chainring, but only have two chainrings installed). The BCD is 110/74, so for the granny ring you can go as low as a 24t chainring. You'd need a mtb rear derailleur for that as well, to take up all the chain slack. The friction front shifter won't mind shifting a triple. You might need a bottom bracket with a longer spindle.

Once the can of worms is open, if you really want touring gearing, you could go ahead and install a mountain cassette and longer chain along with the third chainring and mtb rear derailleur. It seems like a lot, but for really not a whole lot of money you could do this and change the bike entirely in terms of gear range-

nubcake

the derailer should be fine, i would just make sure to go with a longer chain so you dont rip off the derailer when you acidentally go big big...

btw, glad to see another person from knoxville on here

ruppster

You can use a mountain bike cassette (11-32 or 11-34), but change out your rear derailleur. JensonUSA has Deore rears for $19 here. Follow the rear derailleur setup steps on Park Tool website. I think the chain was long enough on mine to handle the extra teeth.

Takabrash

So you have done this on a CrossCheck? Or was it another bike? I'm glad to see a RD is only $19- I was worried they would be a lot more.

Also, I have intermediate skills working on my bikes. Would this be something I could do myself? I would need a chainwhip and a chain tool- anything else?

Little Darwin

As far as tools, other then an allen wrench or two, you would also need a cassette tool (available for $10 - $15) and a wrench to fit it.

If the existing chain is long enough, you won't even need a chain tool. You don't need to break the chain to replace the derailleur.

Instructions on parktool.com or sheldonbrown.com should guide you through well enough if you are mechanically inclined.

And of course, coming back here with a question is always an option.

ruppster

Yes I did it to a CrossCheck. It had the original 48/36 crank and I added a 11-32 cassette. The Tiagra rear derailleur actually worked for a couple of days (it used all of the B screw adjustment though), but the Deore works much better.

socalrider

I use an XT RD with my crosscheck so I can use up to a 34t rear cog when I use it on the mountain bike trails..

Takabrash

OK, I'm bringing this one back

I just ordered a Deore LX RD and a Deore 11-34 cassette. Now I need to figure out exactly what tools I need. I've been looking at cassette tools and there seems to be a ton of different nuances to them. Do any of you fine people know just by... knowing? Thanks

c_m_shooter

I have an 11-32 on one of my wheelsets for my Cross Check and it works fine with the stock derailer. I had to adjust it some to clear the bigger cassette, but can switch between the two wheelsets (one with a 12-25 and one with an 11-32) without having to adjust a thing.