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I'm about to build up my first 29" steel hardtail ready for winter as my second bike.
The build will be low cost so I'm looking to keep the overall weight down in sensible places and I'm thinking that I don't really want or need the weight and expense with 12 speed. I'll hopefully singlespeed at some stage in the futureas the frame I end up with likely have horiziontal dropouts.
I'm sat here looking at the SRAM 7 Speed DH cassette which weighs only 224g and seems like it would do the job nicely. The terrain I'll be riding will be mostly flat and probally won't get that much more adventurous than trail centres so hardpack, singletracks and fireroads that sort of thing, an attempt to try and keep some semblemce of fitness over winter.
Has anybody tried this, does it work or I am delusional?
I have one on my DH bike, on the flat its a tough pedal there isn't much space between the gears
<p style="text-align: left;">The 7 speed cassette is more expensive than cheaper 12 speed cassettes so you're not saving any cash. You might struggle to get the upper limit screw far enough in</p>
I've had a similar setup on a couple of bikes before and still have it on my "inappropriate commuter".
Like the idea of singlespeed, but where I live is too hilly and I'm too weak for one gear. 11-25 is still plenty of a challenge on the hills, but it's amazing the climbs you can get up with the 25t.
On paper it's a stupid idea, lose all the benefits/simplicity of a singlespeed, whilst not getting the advantages of a full size cassette... Worst of both worlds. But I like the setup
<p style="text-align: left;">Microshift acolyte 8 spd works very well.</p>
12-42 or 12-46 cassettes available, and a whole setup (cassette, mech, shifter and chain) can be had for under £70.
@brutaldeluxe09 it's pretty good.
Quality-wise I'd say it's on a par with Deore. Shifts ok, if a little clunky. Seems to be pretty indestructible so far.
I've been running it on my Ragley Bluepig for over a year, and had zero issues...coped admirably with a proper manky weekend in Afan back in January.
I like the fact that you can get a Sram pc830/850 chain for £5 most of the time!
If the goal is low cost with no need for huge range I'd be looking at low end SRAM (X3/X4) in 7 or 8 speed flavour and buying whatever sensible cassettes you can find say 11-28 or 12-32? Which are generally much more affordable now and Will save a bit of weight by virtue of just having fewer (and smaller) cogs...
Here you go:
For £30 (maybe even less if you shop about) That will all work together, you'll need a spacer for the cassette on any common 8/9/10 speed HG FH body.
@cookeaa yeah you're right, so I went for X5 9 speed in the end. Thanks