Can I replace an old Shimano 7-speed cassette (11–28 teeth) on my MTB with a 7-speed cassette that has 12-28 teeth?

Question

I'm thinking of replacing the old Shimano 7-speed , 11–28 teeth cassette on an MTB from 1994. The replacement part would be Shimano CS-HG41-7ac with the same number of teeth. However, I just saw another 7-speed cassette by Shimano, the CS-HG50-7 which, I think, is made of a better material (I read somewhere that 'HG50' might indicate a harder metal compared to 'HG41'). But the HG50-7 has 12–28 teeth instead of 11–28.

Can I just use this HG50-7 even though it has one more tooth on the smallest sprocket? Would there be a difference in the gear shifting (Shimano STX-SE, 3x7), any adverse effect?

David · Accepted Answer

If nothing else gets accidentally misaligned in the process, shifting would be exactly the same.
For the same amount of pedalling, the three fastest gears(=the three smallest sprockets) will be a little bit slower.
If you'd gone to a bigger biggest sprocket, you might have needed to adjust chain length, but a bigger smallest should do fine.
One BIG thing though:
Chains and sprockets - and to a lesser degree chainrings -  wear together. It's VERY common to experience chain slipping/skipping if you replace one and not the other.
Either measure the old chain carefully to ensure that it's not too worn, or play it safe and replace both.
In which case you can size the chain for the new cassette while you're still at it - if there is any difference.

wolter · Answer

Shimano 7 Speed Cassette

BigE · Answer

Any 7 speed Hyperglide cassette should work on a 7 speed Hyperglide hub.  You probably can't even find the older cassette except used or on ebay.  Don't think you will notice any difference.

? · Answer

probably
though i am not going to say what the other 12 issues are other than number of teeth
the number of teeth is ok at least

wle

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Can I replace an old Shimano 7-speed cassette (11–28 teeth) on my MTB with a 7-speed cassette that has 12-28 teeth?

4 Answers