Buyer's Guide - Cassettes, Freewheels & Sprockets

Things you need to consider:

Freewheel or cassette?

• The gears on 5 and 6 speed bikes are normally freewheels
• 7 speed bikes can be either freewheel or cassette. To tell the difference you can look at the outside of the smallest cog - if there is a locking ring then this is a cassette.
• 8, 9 and 10 speed bikes all use cassettes only.

Number of gears?

Count the number of gears on the back wheel. You need to replace with the same number of gears - the rest of the drivetrain will be set up to only work with this number of gears.

Why spend more?

A more expensive cassette will usually be made from a better quality material and should be lighter and last longer.

Care & maintenance

• Keep your cassette clean and properly lubed
• Ensure you replace your chain when stretched as a worn chain will wear away a cassette. Use a chain checker such as the Park Tool Chain Wear Indicator