Cassette and Chain Question
 

Hey guys, hope you can help me with my questions below.

I am currently on a standard double with a 12-25 Shimano cassette. I might get a sweet deal on a carbon wheelset (Reynolds) with a SRAM cassette, 11-26.

- Can I use the SRAM cassette on my Shimano derailleur?
- Do I need to buy a new chain since the largest cog on the other wheel is 26T?
- I am using aluminum clinchers and the new wheels are carbon clinchers. I know I have to buy carbon specific brake pads for the new wheels, do you guys know any sites that sell good (but cheap) pads or do I have to buy the Cryo Blue ones for Reynolds wheels?


TIA.

For Reynolds pads try PBK or Chainreaction Cycles. Best to use Reynolds pads....they work well and are reasonable price wise at $30. or so. Yes you probably can use the sram cassette, or if not too worn, you can tranfer your Shimano cassette to the new wheel set and buy a new chain when the current chain needs replacing and then throw on the sram cassette

Sram and Shimano share the same cassette and hub configuration. Given it is the same spacing i.e. gearing.

The one tooth shouldnt make a big difference. You wont "need" to buy a new chain.
This is all given that your chain and cassette are not worn.

I would advise a new cassette for the new wheel, best to have a backup. New chain for a new cassette as well.

You could take the Shimano cassette off your current wheel and put it on the Reynolds wheel. All it takes is 30 seconds with a chain whip and lockring tool. The 11-26 is missing the 16t cog that the 12-25 has. The 15t-17t jump can be annoying.

The Reynolds blue pads are the best for Reynolds carbon wheels. Using anything else will void the warranty. If you use the carbon pads on aluminium wheels you must remove them and pick out the aluminium shards before using them on the carbon wheels. All this is on Reynolds web site.

Reynolds pads cost $30 pretty much everywhere. No need to buy from the UK.

They are a bugger to find up here in Canada for some reason.

Thanks for the responses. Will probably invest in a whip and lock tool so I can change them out.
Can't believe how easy it is to remove the cassette with this tool. Will be able to clean out the cogs too.

yes a chain whip and lockring will cost you about 30 bucks, a mechanic would charge you ~5-10 bucks every time. They are handy tools to have.