Swap out my 9-speed cassette?
 

I am thinking of gearing my Tourist a little lower. It now has a SRAM 11-32T. I am looking at going with a 11-34T for touring. Is it just as simple as removing one cassette and replacing it with another? No changes to my chain or derailer should be needed?

No problem...no other changes needed.

Straight swap, if your RD can take a 32t, it will take a 34t. The chain shouldn't be an issue, but you will have to check when the replacement RD is installed.

Obvious, but the cassettes have the same number of cogs? They have to.

Also, the way I set up my drivetrains, I have just enough chain length so that I can run in the biggest rear cog and the biggest chainring. But no more - any excess chain results in somewhat less crisp shifting, and a little extra weight baggage.

So for me, if I were to to this cassette swap without changing out the chain, the first time I shifted into the big/big combo, the rear derailleur would be torn off and take the hanger with it, and then the chain would break.

Most of my riding pals set their drivetrains up the same way, and I suspect most shops. So be careful. In any case, a chain is a consumable/disposable. Replace when you change out rings or the cassette, or in my case 4 times per year. Whichever comes first.

Thanks for the great replies.

The change out is a simple job with the correct tools. The 11t cog is not very useful on the Tourist with the 42t and 52t rings on a touring bike. Almost no one needs a 126GI top gear. The point made above about being careful with chain length is very important. You may be really close with the stock chain.

You will get a little improvement on the lowest gear but you will have wider spacing when running across the cassette.

I would suggest if you are looking at a cassette change look at a 12-36 and lengthen your chain. It will go slack on your small, small combination but you never will cross chain like that.

Also change your granny gear to a 24T.

My Friend Roy has a tourist with 68,000 miles. 52-42-24 and a 11-34 cassette.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...Tour/NoCar.jpg

He rode 750 miles for his 75th Birthday.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...moRiderRoy.jpg

The chain if not brand new, when you put a new cassette on , replace the chain too.
replace chain twice , then 3rd time both, is normal service.

you may need to screw in the B screw, if top pulley pressed directly, noisily,
to chain on the low cog

Okay, so a new chain it is.

And when a cassette is "Shimano compatable" I assume that will fit my Windsor's hub?

Would it be easier to change chainrings?

Thought about it. I'm involved in a thread in the Touring forum that mentions some details to that end.... lets see if I can link it here...

A chain sized with the big/big method may be a link (two half links) short and lead to derailleur and/or hanger damage when that combination is accidentally attempted.

Tools to do this would be a Shimano Lockring tool (FR-5??) and a chainwip, correct?

I don't have my cassette sockets handy, but either Shimano or Park (I can post P/Ns later if you're not in a rush) and a generic chain whip and you're good to go. The smaller granny chainring from 10 Wheels is a great suggestion also.

Brad

WE put the 24t front ring on Roy's Windsor and it works fine for a low gear. When you start having troubles with the wheelset get these.
http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2469

Thanks to all, I think I have a good place to start. I will also look at my granny chain ring...