Using two different cassettes
#26
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?




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I may have the worst case scenario for wheel swaps. This is on an old bike (1982), for which I have one wheelset that's clincher, with a freehub and 6 speed cassette, and another that's tubular with a 6 speed freewheel. Both hubs are Shimano, no more than a year or two apart in manufacture, but the cogs are SIGNIFICANTLY displaced relative to each other. So much so that I need to make sure to adjust the limit screws when swapping, or 1) I can't reach the lowest cog on the tubular wheels, or 2) shifting to the lowest cog on the clincher wheels sends the chain right into the spokes. So I don't swap often!
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#27
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2025
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Thanks for all the advice everyone, tried it today, brakes rubbed so had to clean pistons and push them back in as they had auto adjusted to the width of the older discs, the gears 'work' but certainly need some adjusting. I was hoping the set ups would interchange seamlessly as I'm a bit of a lzzy git but I think the lesser of the evils/ least amount of faff is to use the one set of discs and cassette on both wheelsets. Thanks again for all the great advice.
#28
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From: Altadena, CA
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Thanks for all the advice everyone, tried it today, brakes rubbed so had to clean pistons and push them back in as they had auto adjusted to the width of the older discs, the gears 'work' but certainly need some adjusting. I was hoping the set ups would interchange seamlessly as I'm a bit of a lzzy git but I think the lesser of the evils/ least amount of faff is to use the one set of discs and cassette on both wheelsets. Thanks again for all the great advice.
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RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
#29
FWIW, I have two sets of rear wheels, both disc, both using the same brand of hub and rotor. One is my "Upstate" cassette (10-36 12spd SRAM) and the other is my "LowCountry" cassette (10-30) No issue at all with rotor alignment. I use the same chain and just adjust the B screw with the tool. I have never had to fiddle with chain alignment on the RD.
#30
pan y agua

Joined: Aug 2005
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Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Has definitely been an issue for us swapping wheels on our tandem. Despite exactly the same hubs and rotors, the discs always rubbed changing between wheelsets. Eventually got them adjusted so they swap without rubbing. With some effort, and possibly shims it’s surmountainable, but it can be a PITA.
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#31
That is the point. Better quality components are built to tighter tolerances, thus avoiding issues. It is just typical of these forums where people are looking for issues which, in reality, are not common. Just follow this thread with all the bizarre potential problems; most of the time, the person does not even have any experience with the topic or recall a narrative from 30 years ago.
But I'm sure you have seen more bikes than I have.







