I have a Hope Pro 3 hub and will be wanting to get a new 9spd cassette soon, I know about the issue of the soft alu freehub and the need for XT/XTR level cassettes to avoid fouling it too much. However, I’ve just come across this cassette, will it also be kind to the freehub in the same way? Looking at it, it seems to have the same sort of carrier:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=27680

Also, it says “For Super Narrow 9-speed HG chains”; is that some marketing babble or will it be fine with a KMC 9-speed chain? I’m looking into cheaper options as an XT cassette seems to be £50 in a 9spd guise now! I remember paying £35 a year or so ago 🙁 Thanks.

Edit: or are they any decent SRAM variants which will also not foul the cassette up much and can be had for a good price?

HG80 = SLX. It’s got a carrier so it should be OK.

SRAM equivalent is PG980 & up.

Andy

Means works with 9 rather than 8 spd chains, not so thin since advent of 10spd. they have cascaded the partial ally carrier down to slx so yes its a good alternative. The equivalent Sram is maybe a couple of quid cheaper but there’s not much in it.