Old Chain + New Cassette?

[lukas]

I'm about to buy a new set of wheels with a new 10sp cassette, and am just wondering about the chain compatibility.

I've read that a chain and a cassette tend to 'mate', so it is advisable to buy a new chain for a new cassette to make sure shifting is smooth. I have no issues with doing this, but am concerned about how it will affect my old wheels & old casette.

Will my old 10sp cassette on the old wheels live in harmony with my new chain, or will I encounter problems with shifting? I'll be alternating between the 2 sets of wheels pretty often, therefore would like it to be as smooth as possible.

I'm not the handiest guy with the bike, but am trying to teach myself as much as possible, so any help is appreciated.

Cheers

[Kalgrm]

It depends on how old your current chain and cassette are. You might get away with it if they are less than 2000km old, but probably not.

Buy a new cassette for your old wheels, a new chain, a chain whip and a cassette tool so you can do all the swapping yourself. It's not hard to do and it's a good place to start getting handier with your bike.

When both cassettes and your chain are all new, you won't have any compatibility issues.

Something to watch out for though: you may have a few issues with the rear derailleur position if your hubs are not from the same manufacturer. The tolerances might be out enough to cause the gearing to be out a little between wheelsets.

Cheers,
Graeme

[lukas]

Thanks Graeme,

I was thinking of perhaps buying 2 identical cassettes.. one for each set.. just wasn't sure if it was necessary. I'm willing to spend the extra cash if it's going to make the transition easier.

I've done about 2500-3000kms on the current chain & cassette.

I am going to do this job myself as it looks within my capabilities.

[Kalgrm]

(See the edit I put in during your reply ....)

[mikesbytes]

Just use the old cassette with the new wheel.

When the old cassette and/or chain is worn out, then replace both.

[lukas]

But then the problem is with the old wheel, as it will need a replacement cassette if I plan on continuing to use it, which I do..

unless I change cassettes each time I change wheels, which would be a pain.

[Hawkeye]

Get a Park Tools go/no go chain wear indicator. Start with 2 new casettes and a new chain.

Check the chain weekly. So long as it chain passes the wear indicator, you should be fine to use the chain on both cassettes. As soon as the chain fails the wear indicator swap it out immediately or you risk damaging the cassettes past the point where they are usable with a new chain.

Oh, and it helps to buy a good long-wearing chain in the first place, such as Rohloff or Wippermann. Stay away from SRAM chains - they wear fast (although the rest of their stuff seems OK).

<Ducks away from door after lighting blue paper and puts fingers in ears! >

Works for me.

[Kalgrm]

Kalgrm mouths the bait first:

SRAM chains don't wear out any quicker than other chains.

Kalgrm spits the bait out after find no morsel worthy of taking .....



Cheers,
Graeme

[toolonglegs]

How often are you planning to change wheels?....it takes probably less than 2 minutes to change a cassete.Less as you have to take the wheel off anyway to swap it.Also if it is just a race wheel for once a week then you are going to wear the other cassette out at a rate of 6 days to 1.

[mikesbytes]

Lucas, you will go thru several cassettes to each wheel. Don't worry about changing the wheel and cassette as a pair, just change then when they require changing, which you are indicating is now.

Always change the chain when you change the cassette.

[Hawkeye]

Kalgrm mouths the bait first:

SRAM chains don't wear out any quicker than other chains.

Kalgrm spits the bait out after find no morsel worthy of taking .....



Cheers,
Graeme

What other chains would they be?

Y'know, so I can avoid them too.