Best Cassette for DH

[Northender]

What type of cassette is everyone using?

[Scrub]

What kind of derr and shifter do you have? 9 or 10spd?

I run Sram x9 with pg1070 10spd 11-23

[Northender]

What kind of derr and shifter do you have? 9 or 10spd?

I run Sram x9 with pg1070 10spd 11-23

Sram X0 9spd

[Iggz]

I've been running my 9spd 12-25 Shimano DuraAce since early '09 and never had so much as a skip.
On my 3rd KMC x9sl-Ti chain but the cassette is good as ever.

I'd recommend a Shimano cassette over Sram.

[DHgnaR]

Same as Iggz. I've had the same Shimano Dura-Ace 11-23 on 3 different DH bikes since '07. Keep an eye on chain wear and it'll last for a very long time on a DH bike.

[jimarin]

Dura-ace 11-23 9 speed

[Northender]

Dura-ace 11-23 9 speed

is there any advantage running a 11-23 over a 12-27?

[oldskoolbiker]

Mines cobbled together. 1/2 SLX/Saint, 1/2 Dura-Ace. 11-27 9 speed (150g)

11 in the back will give u a little higher gear. I run a 34 in the front with a 11 in the back, that actually gives slightly higher top gear than 36/12.

I like having the 27 or 28 gear in the back for those times when you have to climb a little. On actual DH runs I'm only using highest 5 or 6 gears which is really all you need for DH. Heck some people only run like 6 gears.

To me 11-23 you'll have too many higher gears to shift through on DH runs, and you have no low gear for the times you need to pedal uphill a bit to get to the start of the run.

I'd recommend looking at the 11-28 SLX/Saint cassette.

[mtbnozpikr]

I've also got a Dura Ace 9-spd 11-23

[frango]

I am with oldskoolbiker, I run regular 11-28 SLX/Saint 9sp cassette. It's the lightest Shimano MTB cassette - 231g and cheap It has aluminum spider for 3 biggest cogs and 3 another are bonded together with pins, so they won't ruin your aluminum freewheel body, in you have one.

I wonder what will be the option for 2013 SLX Shadow+ (if some1's on a budget) and new Saint?

[Northender]

I am with oldskoolbiker, I run regular 11-28 SLX/Saint 9sp cassette. It's the lightest Shimano MTB cassette - 231g and cheap It has aluminum spider for 3 biggest cogs and 3 another are bonded together with pins, so they won't ruin your aluminum freewheel body, in you have one.

I wonder what will be the option for 2013 SLX Shadow+ (if some1's on a budget) and new Saint?

What type of chain would work well with Saint Crankset, X0 9 spd shifter/derailleur and SLX/ Saint cassette?

[frango]

I've got KMC X9SL and it works fine. I will switch to Yaban, as it's nearly the same chain, but cheaper. However, not the gold-bling
On the other hand, how many times do you change gears on the track? I do it one or twice... not racing, though.

[oldskoolbiker]

What type of chain would work well with Saint Crankset, X0 9 spd shifter/derailleur and SLX/ Saint cassette?

I'm running SRAM 991 Cross Step. But any 9 speed chain should work fine. I like the SRAM's since they come with a quick link.

[naze7]

I am using Shimano ultegra 11-23 and gradation is great for me.
Look at some WC rigs 9 gear is even too much.

Regards

[B-Mac]

Sram PG 970 11-23. Fine cassette & only about $40.

[.WestCoastHucker.]

best cassette? really? the answer is speculative at best. gear ratios are the important part...

[Northender]

best cassette? really? the answer is speculative at best. gear ratios are the important part...

No, the answers are subjective. If you have something to say about gear ratios then say it.

[sonic reducer]

dura ace... $25 used/near new at a bike swap
been running it a few years, I clean my drivetrain damn near every ride and DH is so low on tooth wear I'm fine with it.

I would like to experiment with running a 5 or 6sp setup.

[gregg]

Cool it with the flaming, thanks.

[miqu]

Best performance for money no doubt - Shimano Hg80 SLX/Saint 9sp cassette. I like the freewheel friendly alloy spider. Good corrosion/rust protection also. Haven't had any problems with hg80 11-28, Sram X9 derrailleur and KMC X9 light chain or Sram-Pc991 crosstep chain.

[DhRoadStar]

best cassette? really? the answer is speculative at best. gear ratios are the important part...

More posts = More curmudgeon

[sdo1982]

36 tooth up front, 11-28 on the rear SRAM 9 speed.
Gives me all the range i have ever needed, even managed to pedal up hill from the local trails (not much fun though!)

Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Gear Calculator

The link can be used to calculate speed from cadence, if you are racing at a decent level i guess changing gearing to suit the track would make sense, but im not that good and so ill stick with what i have got!

[calialx1]

I run a 11-34T sram pg990 and it's never let me down......i carry an 11-26 as a spare.

[DhRoadStar]

I run a 11-34T sram pg990 and it's never let me down......i carry an 11-26 as a spare.

You carry a spare cassette?

[arkon11]

Yeah, I usually carry a spare rear hub, spoke wrench, and truing stand in my Camelbak.