Just ordering an expander ring when I read there were some issues with the deore cassettes with the cogs being riveted together.
Is there any way to convert a deore cassette to 11-42? Or will I have to get an XT cassette or can I swap a different cog out?
The rivets can be drilled or cut with a hacksaw, sometimes even hammered out. You lose a spacer with the hacksaw method but you can get one from an old cassette or some expanders don't need it. Pretty easy. It's just slightly fiddlier to reservoir the rivets but not an issue.
Why bother when a sunrace ms3 is less than £40?
That's what I'm thinking if I need to get a new cassette as well.
Works expanders are £21 so worth just getting that if I don't need a cassette. But no good if I need to spend £30 on a new cassette.
It only takes a couple of minutes with a file to take the heads off of the rivets, then you can dismantle the cassette without hurting any spacers.
It takes 5 minutes to do, I've done it. Easy to slot in a 16t as well
but...
The shifting is never quite 'right'. I wouldn't do it again from new, might be worth it if you've already got the cassette.
Shifting on mine has been spot on but I did fit a rad cage as well.
Think I might just MTFU and run a 32/36 bottom gear. I only go into the granny on my current bike very occasionally, and normally only away from Cannock.