A Cycling & bikes forum. CycleBanter.com

Go Back   Home » CycleBanter.com forum » rec.bicycles » Techniques
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old June 11th 10, 12:48 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
BCDrums
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 196
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette too,
it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will replace it
with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T & 19T).

This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31, and
an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in weight,
only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration. For me, it
seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to believe that
the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG, or shift three
times better. Is there something I am missing?

The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old. Is
there any compatibility issue?

BC
shiftless
  #2  
Old June 11th 10, 02:18 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Jay Beattie
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,322
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

On Jun 10, 4:48*pm, bcdrums wrote:
The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette too,
it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will replace it
with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T & 19T).

This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31, and
an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in weight,
only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration. For me, it
seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to believe that
the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG, or shift three
times better. Is there something I am missing?

The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old. Is
there any compatibility issue?


Yes, you missed a smoking (in store) sale at Performance. I just got
two Ultegra cassettes for $39 each. I see 270g for the Tiagra (HG-50)
versus 217g for the Ultegra at the REI site, but it is not clear which
gear range is being weighed. I saved probably 50+ grams which means I
am going to go really, really fast now! (particularly if I remember to
take the spare change out of my pockets and ride on the drops).

I would not in a million years pay full retail for Ultegra. Tiagra is
fine, although it probably has a slightly different carrier, plastic
spacers and poorer finish (unnoticeable after 12.3 miles). You would
have to be a real princess and the pea person to notice a difference
in shifting. In my opinion, your only reasonable option is the
Tiagra. I only got the Ultegras because (1) they were on sale at
Performance, and (2) they were on sale at Performance, and there was
nothing cheaper in the store in my preferred gear range. -- Jay
Beattie.
  #3  
Old June 11th 10, 02:54 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
BCDrums
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 196
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

On 6/10/10 9:18 PM, Jay Beattie wrote:
On Jun 10, 4:48 pm, wrote:
The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette too,
it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will replace it
with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T& 19T).

This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31, and
an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in weight,
only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration. For me, it
seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to believe that
the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG, or shift three
times better. Is there something I am missing?

The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old. Is
there any compatibility issue?


Yes, you missed a smoking (in store) sale at Performance. I just got
two Ultegra cassettes for $39 each. I see 270g for the Tiagra (HG-50)
versus 217g for the Ultegra at the REI site, but it is not clear which
gear range is being weighed. I saved probably 50+ grams which means I
am going to go really, really fast now! (particularly if I remember to
take the spare change out of my pockets and ride on the drops).


I checked the Performance site (and its evil twin, Nashbar) and the sale
is not on. I got my prices and weights from the Harris Cyclery site, but
50 grams here or there is not going to speed me up or slow me down.

Tiagra sounds like a laundry detergent. (Spellcheck wants to replace
Tiagra with Viagra! Maybe Shimano will have a line like that in ten more
years, as the boomers gear downward.)


I would not in a million years pay full retail for Ultegra. Tiagra is
fine, although it probably has a slightly different carrier, plastic
spacers and poorer finish (unnoticeable after 12.3 miles). You would
have to be a real princess and the pea person to notice a difference
in shifting. In my opinion, your only reasonable option is the
Tiagra. I only got the Ultegras because (1) they were on sale at
Performance, and (2) they were on sale at Performance, and there was
nothing cheaper in the store in my preferred gear range. -- Jay
Beattie.


So what's your gear range? I am going to 14x25. I use a triple, and
don't need any thing lower for most riding, where I stay on the two
larger rings. Way back on my first 10 speed, I had 14x28 which was more
or less standard in the bike boom.

BC
gearing down
  #4  
Old June 11th 10, 04:10 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Jay Beattie
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,322
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

On Jun 10, 6:54*pm, bcdrums wrote:
On 6/10/10 9:18 PM, Jay Beattie wrote:





On Jun 10, 4:48 pm, *wrote:
The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette too,
it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will replace it
with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T& *19T).


This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31, and
an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in weight,
only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration. For me, it
seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to believe that
the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG, or shift three
times better. Is there something I am missing?


The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old. Is
there any compatibility issue?


Yes, you missed a smoking (in store) sale at Performance. *I just got
two Ultegra cassettes for $39 each. *I see 270g for the Tiagra (HG-50)
versus 217g for the Ultegra at the REI site, but it is not clear which
gear range is being weighed. *I saved probably 50+ grams which means I
am going to go really, really fast now! (particularly if I remember to
take the spare change out of my pockets and ride on the drops).


I checked the Performance site (and its evil twin, Nashbar) and the sale
is not on. I got my prices and weights from the Harris Cyclery site, but
50 grams here or there is not going to speed me up or slow me down.

Tiagra sounds like a laundry detergent. (Spellcheck wants to replace
Tiagra with Viagra! Maybe Shimano will have a line like that in ten more
years, as the boomers gear downward.)



I would not in a million years pay full retail for Ultegra. *Tiagra is
fine, although it probably has a slightly different carrier, plastic
spacers and poorer finish (unnoticeable after 12.3 miles). *You would
have to be a real princess and the pea person to notice a difference
in shifting. *In my opinion, your only reasonable option is the
Tiagra. *I only got the Ultegras because (1) they were on sale at
Performance, and (2) they were on sale at Performance, and there was
nothing cheaper in the store in my preferred gear range. -- Jay
Beattie.


So what's your gear range? I am going to 14x25. I use a triple, and
don't need any thing lower for most riding, where I stay on the two
larger rings. Way back on my first 10 speed, I had 14x28 which was more
or less standard in the bike boom.


My new Ultegras are 12/25 (racing bike) and 12/27 (commuter/cross
bike). I rode 12/21 or 12/23 on my racing bike, but due to subtle
tectonic lifting that has occurred over the last few years, the local
hills have gotten steeper, and I find that the 25 or 26 is a good bail
out gear. Actually I switched to a SRAM 12/26 after breaking my leg
and found that I liked the lower gear even after my recovery (which is
still in progress, actually with the opposite ankle).

Speaking of SRAM, the Tiagra and the SRAM PG970 are pretty similar --
like Muzi says, you can unbolt the cogs if you want so you can collect
and trade worn out cogs. They both have plastic spacers -- which some
people criticize because they supposedly compress or wear out, which
seems a little far fetched, but hey, who knows. I like the SRAM
product. It occupies a price niche between Tiagra and Ultegra, and
the 26t is a nice gear. I think, though, that I could be perfectly
happy with a Tiagra.

-- Jay Beattie.

  #5  
Old June 12th 10, 05:35 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Dan O
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,098
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

On Jun 10, 6:54 pm, bcdrums wrote:
On 6/10/10 9:18 PM, Jay Beattie wrote:



On Jun 10, 4:48 pm, wrote:
The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette too,
it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will replace it
with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T& 19T).


This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31, and
an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in weight,
only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration. For me, it
seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to believe that
the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG, or shift three
times better. Is there something I am missing?


The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old. Is
there any compatibility issue?


Yes, you missed a smoking (in store) sale at Performance. I just got
two Ultegra cassettes for $39 each. I see 270g for the Tiagra (HG-50)
versus 217g for the Ultegra at the REI site, but it is not clear which
gear range is being weighed. I saved probably 50+ grams which means I
am going to go really, really fast now! (particularly if I remember to
take the spare change out of my pockets and ride on the drops).


I checked the Performance site (and its evil twin, Nashbar) and the sale
is not on. I got my prices and weights from the Harris Cyclery site, but
50 grams here or there is not going to speed me up or slow me down.

Tiagra sounds like a laundry detergent. (Spellcheck wants to replace
Tiagra with Viagra! Maybe Shimano will have a line like that in ten more
years, as the boomers gear downward.)


Mine is called "Saint" :-) (Very expensive it was, too.)

By swapping chains every couple of weeks (rotating three of them - two
SRAM PC-971 and one 991), after about 9 months now, this cassette has
*just* started to skip if I get up and jam on it hard to sprint
through a yellow light or something. (I might try rotating four
chains next time.)



I would not in a million years pay full retail for Ultegra. Tiagra is
fine, although it probably has a slightly different carrier, plastic
spacers and poorer finish (unnoticeable after 12.3 miles). You would
have to be a real princess and the pea person to notice a difference
in shifting. In my opinion, your only reasonable option is the
Tiagra. I only got the Ultegras because (1) they were on sale at
Performance, and (2) they were on sale at Performance, and there was
nothing cheaper in the store in my preferred gear range. -- Jay
Beattie.


So what's your gear range? I am going to 14x25. I use a triple, and
don't need any thing lower for most riding, where I stay on the two
larger rings. Way back on my first 10 speed, I had 14x28 which was more
or less standard in the bike boom.


I'm in a different realm, as you have road gear and I have MTB (48-
tooth big ring), but anyway mine is 11-28. That's why I bought the
Saint (HG80) - it gave me much tighter spacing where I wanted it
(11-12-13-14) vs. the HG61 (11-13-15) that came stock on my bike.

The 48 / 12-13-14 are my bread-and-butter, meat-and-potatoes. The
48 / 16 or 18 gets me up most hills, but I will drop all the way to
36 / 21 or even 24 for some steep ones.
  #6  
Old June 13th 10, 02:04 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
BCDrums
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 196
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

On 6/12/10 12:35 PM, Dan O wrote:
On Jun 10, 6:54 pm, wrote:
On 6/10/10 9:18 PM, Jay Beattie wrote:



On Jun 10, 4:48 pm, wrote:
The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette too,
it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will replace it
with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T& 19T).


This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31, and
an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in weight,
only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration. For me, it
seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to believe that
the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG, or shift three
times better. Is there something I am missing?


The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old. Is
there any compatibility issue?


Yes, you missed a smoking (in store) sale at Performance. I just got
two Ultegra cassettes for $39 each. I see 270g for the Tiagra (HG-50)
versus 217g for the Ultegra at the REI site, but it is not clear which
gear range is being weighed. I saved probably 50+ grams which means I
am going to go really, really fast now! (particularly if I remember to
take the spare change out of my pockets and ride on the drops).


I checked the Performance site (and its evil twin, Nashbar) and the sale
is not on. I got my prices and weights from the Harris Cyclery site, but
50 grams here or there is not going to speed me up or slow me down.

Tiagra sounds like a laundry detergent. (Spellcheck wants to replace
Tiagra with Viagra! Maybe Shimano will have a line like that in ten more
years, as the boomers gear downward.)


Mine is called "Saint" :-) (Very expensive it was, too.)

By swapping chains every couple of weeks (rotating three of them - two
SRAM PC-971 and one 991), after about 9 months now, this cassette has
*just* started to skip if I get up and jam on it hard to sprint
through a yellow light or something. (I might try rotating four
chains next time.)



I would not in a million years pay full retail for Ultegra. Tiagra is
fine, although it probably has a slightly different carrier, plastic
spacers and poorer finish (unnoticeable after 12.3 miles). You would
have to be a real princess and the pea person to notice a difference
in shifting. In my opinion, your only reasonable option is the
Tiagra. I only got the Ultegras because (1) they were on sale at
Performance, and (2) they were on sale at Performance, and there was
nothing cheaper in the store in my preferred gear range. -- Jay
Beattie.


So what's your gear range? I am going to 14x25. I use a triple, and
don't need any thing lower for most riding, where I stay on the two
larger rings. Way back on my first 10 speed, I had 14x28 which was more
or less standard in the bike boom.


I'm in a different realm, as you have road gear and I have MTB (48-
tooth big ring), but anyway mine is 11-28. That's why I bought the
Saint (HG80) - it gave me much tighter spacing where I wanted it
(11-12-13-14) vs. the HG61 (11-13-15) that came stock on my bike.


We are in a similar realm. My chainrings are 48-38-24. But I like the
lower gears, and mostly reside on 16-17-19-21. I am moving to the 14-25
to get the 18, which adds to my sweet spot.


The 48 / 12-13-14 are my bread-and-butter, meat-and-potatoes. The
48 / 16 or 18 gets me up most hills, but I will drop all the way to
36 / 21 or even 24 for some steep ones.


I go up most steep hills in 38-25, and can bail to the granny when needed.

BC
low & slow
  #7  
Old June 13th 10, 09:01 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
John Henderson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 413
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

bcdrums wrote:

I go up most steep hills in 38-25, and can bail to the granny when needed.


I go up steep hills in 22-32, and get off and walk when needed

John
  #8  
Old June 11th 10, 02:33 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
AMuzi
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 13,447
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

bcdrums wrote:
The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette too,
it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will replace it
with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T & 19T).

This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31, and
an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in weight,
only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration. For me, it
seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to believe that
the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG, or shift three
times better. Is there something I am missing?

The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old. Is
there any compatibility issue?


While it may not matter to you, the individual sprockets of
a HG-50 may be swapped around but not on the CS-6500, which
has rivetted carriers.

For 2g and $65 I would suggest the HG-50. Or a SRAM product.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
  #9  
Old June 11th 10, 04:39 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Mike Jacoubowsky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,972
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

"AMuzi" wrote in message
...
bcdrums wrote:
The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette
too, it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will
replace it with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T &
19T).

This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31,
and an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in
weight, only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration.
For me, it seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to
believe that the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG,
or shift three times better. Is there something I am missing?

The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old.
Is there any compatibility issue?


While it may not matter to you, the individual sprockets of a HG-50
may be swapped around but not on the CS-6500, which has rivetted
carriers.

For 2g and $65 I would suggest the HG-50. Or a SRAM product.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971


I remain unimpressed with SRAMs consistency... or lack of. It's rare
that swapping out a (new) Shimano cassette for another (new) cassette
fixes anything, but I've had this happen too many times with SRAM to
believe their QC is where it should be. This is across-the-board; the
first bunch of uber-high-end XX cassettes had cogs that were machined
just a bit too wide.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


  #10  
Old June 11th 10, 10:36 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
AMuzi
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 13,447
Default 9 sp HG cassette vs. Ultegra cassette

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
"AMuzi" wrote in message
...
bcdrums wrote:
The next time I replace my chain I will replace my 9 speed cassette
too, it's looking worn. I have a Shimano 13-25 cassette now, will
replace it with a 14-25 (which adds a midrange 18T between 17T &
19T).

This cassette seems to be available in two models, a HG-50 for $31,
and an Ultegra for $96. The two cassettes are almost identical in
weight, only a 2g difference and are identical in cog configuration.
For me, it seems the obvious choice is the HG at $31. It is hard to
believe that the HG Ultegra will last three times longer than the HG,
or shift three times better. Is there something I am missing?

The cassette will go onto an Ultegra hub that is about 5 years old.
Is there any compatibility issue?

While it may not matter to you, the individual sprockets of a HG-50
may be swapped around but not on the CS-6500, which has rivetted
carriers.

For 2g and $65 I would suggest the HG-50. Or a SRAM product.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971


I remain unimpressed with SRAMs consistency... or lack of. It's rare
that swapping out a (new) Shimano cassette for another (new) cassette
fixes anything, but I've had this happen too many times with SRAM to
believe their QC is where it should be. This is across-the-board; the
first bunch of uber-high-end XX cassettes had cogs that were machined
just a bit too wide.


Yes, agreed on the bleeding edge of hi-zoot.

SRAM owns the HG-50 class cassette market around here. Very
happy with their standard range cassettes in 7-8-9-10.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
FS: Ultegra 10s 12-23 Cassette - New TO $42.99 mike Marketplace 0 November 28th 06 05:08 AM
FS: New Ultegra 10s Cassette $55 mike Marketplace 0 March 10th 06 02:24 AM
FS: Ultegra 12-23 Cassette [email protected] Marketplace 0 October 25th 05 09:45 PM
FS: Ultegra Cassette, 10 sp x 12/27 Paul Kopit Marketplace 0 December 10th 04 07:02 PM
FS: Ultegra Cassette, 10 sp x 12/27 Paul Kopit Marketplace 0 December 10th 04 06:59 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:59 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 CycleBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.