switching out cassettes: is it that easy:
 

Reading over one of patentcads latest threads, it looks like most of you guys switch out cassettes quite frequently. I do quite a bit on my bike, is it that easy to do. I run a 7800 12-27 but would like to go to a 11-25 sometimes.

With the right tools, yes it's that easy.

What kind of a question is that? It's hard if you have one-arm. Or no arms.

+ 1. Five minute job, if you have the tools.

merci beaucoup, monsieur!

One of these:
http://www.parktool.com/images/produ...05727_4861.jpg
plus one of these:
http://millerrepairservice.com/yahoo....150194221.jpg

And some muscle.

I'm sure there are Youtube videos to show you how easy it really is.....

edit: D'oh! I forgot, you'll need the chain whip mcjimbo mentioned.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

edit: almost beat me to it, except for this

http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/pr...chain_whip.jpg:p

you need to go to parktools website more often

but to save you some time, you need:

a chain whip (or whatever that will prevent the cassette from rotating)
a cassette lockring tool (comes in shimano & campy versions)
and a huge-ass adjustable wrench, the longer the better as you need to get a good bit of torque tightening and loosening the lockring

Check this:

http://bicycletutor.com/replace-cassette-cluster/

Just make sure you seat the cassette in straight and you don't cross thread the locking nut. Other than that, it's cake.

Yes, it is that easy.

Dang.

Slowpoke

Why do you need to change cassettes? A 12x25 fits all purposes.

Anyone ever have a cassette they just couldn't remove? I have no idea what the hell the problem was, I couldn't get the damn thing off. And no, I wasn't in the tightening direction, I made very sure of that.

Seized lockring. Not uncommon.

If you actually ride much, you'll wear them out even if they do last significantly longer than a chain. It's not a bad idea to change them when they wear out.

Plus, a 12/25 may be a decent all 'round cassette, but it won't be the best choice for many riders and applications.

Make your own chain whip with a piece of scrap metal and an old chain.

I did this with a pedal wrench from an exercise bike. Had the 15mm open end on one end, the chain on the other. Nice little tool until I bought a tool kit that had everything I need.

I guess I'm the only one who uses a torque wrench.

I personally don't swap cassettes much, if at all.

Having said that, if you have Mavic wheels, which are pretty common OEM wheels, you can buy a spare freehub body and just swap the entire cassette (along with freehub body) without actually taking the cassette off the freehub; all you need is 2 allen wrenches so it's even faster than using a chainwhip and lockring tool.

I would probably do this if I had a Campy equipped bike as well as a Shimano/SRAM bike and wanted to cross-mix wheelsets.

Nope, so do I.

I got a "Pedro's Vise Whip" for Christmas and it has made a quick job even quicker:

http://tfe.me/image/480_345/TL0594.jpg

I forget what brand (not Park, though) cassette tool I have, but it fits onto a 3/8" drive ratchet wrench (rather than a large spanner, as above). Makes fitting a torque wrench easier.

Thanks for all the help! That vise grip looks like a great tool. Still need a chain whip though.

If you get the vice whip, you don't need a chain whip.;)

Also, it's much easier to clean a cassette if you remove it then leaving it on the bike