icyclist 

Maybe it's just me, but I wish Shimano or Sram had simply added an 18-tooth cog to their wider-range cassettes (traditionally 12-27). From what I've googled, Campy has done this, but I don't want to switch over to Campy for that 18-tooth cog. Or I can spend about $300 U.S or so on a Shimano-compatible cassette from a Swiss company, but that's a lot more than I want to spend.

I can get a close-set series of cogs, including one with 18 teeth, but those seem to top out at about a 25-tooth cog. I need something larger for the steeper hills around my home.

So does anyone know where I can get a 11-speed cassette set up the way I'd like, which would be 12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-24-27 or 28, other than from Campy or from EDCO in Switzerland?

Bunyanderman

Why the determination to get the 18t? I really wish there was a good company that allowed you to create any gearing from 8-11 speed for purchase. I know some do it, but they are pretty expensive. My dream cassette would be a 13-30 (13-14-16-17-18-20-23-25-27-30).

Barrettscv 

As you might already know, the Campagnolo 11 can be used with Shimano shifters and derailleurs, but you will need a hub that accepts the Campagnolo cassette.

K.Katso

Tiso (principale) does this. There is a 13-29 available from one of my favorite sites, although you can order just about anything and make your own. No idea if they make a 30 but they definitely have a 29. I have one of their 11-21 cassettes and it is as light as they come, but it wasn't cheap - about 150€.

UnfilteredDregs

Miche.

loimpact

While I'm normally right there with you. I'd have to say that you would probably do identically well with the Shimano 12-25. You'll get the 18 and (I'll use a 50/34 compact example) you'd only be about 1/3 of 1mph difference at 60rpm and while your mind would be begging for that 27, it really wouldn't bring the kind of relief you'd expect.

bbattle

Go here: Cassette Spares - Shimano products from SJS Cycles and order what you need to make your own cassette.

Or here: 11 Speed Cassette/Road*Bike Cassette/Mtb Cassette offers at the cycling shop Rose Bikes UK

There's some interesting alternatives from IRD as well but they are missing that 18T cog: 11-Speed Elite Cassettes (Shimano wide range)

Bunyanderman

Why the hell are custom gears so expensive?

icyclist 

Thanks for the replies. I'll check out the suggestions.

icyclist 

I'd like the 18T because I'd like close shifting for riding on the flats. At the lower end of gearing, I want relief from monster hills, and close-spaced gears in that situation, for me, aren't imperative.

icyclist 

You might be right. There's less than a 3 gear inch difference. But I live near some steep hills, not necessarily long, but steep. Like 14% grades and up. They're the kind of hills on which I've almost never seen anyone else on a road bike.

I'm not saying I couldn't ride up a steeper hill in a higher gear. And I'm not worried about that 1/3 of a mile difference (although, at 14% and up, I'm not pedaling at 60rpm, at least not for any distance).

Like you, I've got a compact, too, gives me a low of 34 gear inches, and a bike with a standard crankset which gets me a low of 37 inches. While I can get up just about anything with the latter, I can definitely tell the difference in effort between the two bikes. But I might give your idea a try. It can probably only make me a stronger rider.

Trsnrtr

Ah, reminds me of the old days when we had cog boards for free wheels and could make whatever our heart desired.

chaadster

Damn, those are interesting! Supertype tantalizingly light! They don't seem to have much profiling, though, so I wonder do they shift as well as Campy or Shimano? That black ano is tuff, too; maybe some psych-out advantage at the start line? It'd look badassed under a nickel-plated KMC X11SL...weaponized!

UnfilteredDregs

Supertype, I understand to be a "racing" cassette meaning trades durability for weight, on the order of 3000 miles..

They have a cassette where they combine supertype cogs for the low gears with more durable types for the upper in order to have a cassette with greater lifespan yet still weight reduced.

clausen

What chain rings are you using? Going one tooth less on your chain ring will put you more into the smoother section of the cassette. This is the main reason I run a compact 50-34 with 12-23 for most rides, 13-26 for the rides with steep hills.

Bah Humbug

Are you already running a compact? Because if not, you could get one, and run a normal cassette.

Bunyanderman

I am, 34/50. I tackle close to 20% grades.

Bah Humbug

Just checking (I am too). I know people who insist on a standard, then want a massive cassette to make it easier.

Bunyanderman

Do you know if you can just bolt up a smaller front ring? Something like a 32 or 30? I am not sure I want the extra weight of the bigger rear cassettes.

Bah Humbug

No, 34t is the lowest for a compact. To get smaller you need a mountain crank, or a triple.