How To Remove Bike Cassette: The Simple Instructions

How To Remove Bike Cassette Simple Instructions To Follow

If you’re a regular cyclist, you’re going to have to remove your bike’s cassette sooner or later. This is a relatively straightforward process, but it does require a few specialized tools. With patience and the proper technique, you’ll have that cassette off in no time.

In this article, BSXInsight will show you how to remove bike cassette in detail.

Things You Need For The Process

Needle nose pliers – A home toolbox should not be complete without this type. This plier is ideal for holding and cutting objects and has a long or pointy nose.

Needle Nose Pliers have a reputation for providing excellent control during work. This cassette tool allows you to reach small areas quickly.

You can also use an ordinary plier or buy it at local bike shop if you don’t have one of these pliers. You can also make your Needle Nose pliers.

Things You Need For The Process

Your bike Chainset: Leave your bike chain behind; it is an essential tool that will make removing your cassette a breeze.

Gloves (optional). Safety is our top priority. I recommend that you wear gloves when working. You can touch the cassette’s sharp edges with Needle Nose Pliers.

It’s easy to remove the bike cassette, just like you would a freewheel without a tool. This will save you money and prevent you from buying too many tools.

How To Remove Bike Cassette?

Getting Started

There are two ways to attach the rear cogs to the hub. Most modern bikes use a “cassette hub,” which has a clutch attached to the hub’s body.

The cylindrical mechanism is counterclockwise to coast and clockwise to drive the bike when pedaled. The outer shell of the freehub body is covered with splines.

These splines are used to slide “Cassette” sprockets. The lockring is threaded onto the freehub and holds the sprockets or cogs in place.

The ratcheting freehub is retained on the hub body after removing all the cogs. Modern bicycles use the freehub system. Below is a typical cassette hub.

GETTING STARTED

An older bike may have an external thread machined into its hub. The hub is threaded by the cogs and ratcheting assembly (called a “freewheel”). The ratcheting mechanism can be taken off the hub with the cogs when the freewheel is removed.

Compatibility Cassette Lockring Tool

It is essential to identify the brand and style of the new cassette that you have. Below is a table showing all kinds of compatible removal and installation tools made by Park Tool.

COMPATIBILITY CASSETTE LOCKRING TOOL

A Campagnolo brand shifting mechanism will likely be used. These bikes can be used with the BBT-5/FR-11.

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Removal Of Cassette Lockring

Look at your cassette cogs like this to know if you have a cassette lockring removal tool.

All cogs fitted with splines are possible with modern cassette cog systems. The cogs are attached to the freehub body by sliding onto it. A lockring holds them in place.

The lockring is located outwardly from the smallest cog. Look out for the words “LOCK” and an arrow at the lockring to indicate which direction you should turn to lock.

To loosen the lockring, turn it counterclockwise (opposite direction to the hand). The lockring may make a loud sound when it is broken. The lockring may have knurling underneath to keep it in place. This knurling makes noise when it is loosening or tightened.

REMOVAL OF CASSETTE LOCKRING

  1. Place the bike on a stand for repair and take out the rear wheel.
  2. Take out the quick-release skewer.
  3. Examine the rear cassette to determine the correct type of remover.
  4. Engage remover into splines/notches.
  5. Install quick-release remover and skewer nuts on the outside.
  6. Snug skewer nut against remover. The skewer serves as a holding device to facilitate the removal of freewheel systems.
  7. With a sprocket whip tool, hold cogs in a clockwise direction. Use a large adjustable wrench or the hex end from another sprocket whip tool to turn the remover counterclockwise. The lockring will need to be removed by force. As the lockring’s locking teeth separately, you will hear a loud clicking sound.
  8. Grab a removal tool and place it in a vise. Keep the wheel flat. Use a sprocket whip tool to turn the sprockets clockwise from the hub. It would help if you did not hold the wheel while shifting sprockets. Instead, let the wheel spin and pull on the sprocket whip tool.

FR-5.2G / FR-5.2GT WITH GUIDE PINK

The FR-5.2G or FR-5.2GT have a guide pin for more excellent stability during removal and installation. Install the FR-5G or FR-5.2GT. Make sure that the teeth are adequately engaged in the lockring. As described above, hold the cogs and turn the tool clockwise.

Maybe you do not know to measure the wheel, read this guide: How To Measure Bike Wheel Size? Complete Instruction

Installation Of Cassette Lockring

Cassette-freehub bodies and cassettes can often be designed so that the cogs fit in one orientation. This allows manufacturers to create “shifting ramps” according to their specifications.

INSTALLATION OF CASSETTE LOCKRINGS

  1. Examine the splines on the freehub body. You should see ample space between the splines. Examine the internal splines for cogs. Look for a broad spline to mate with a great distance in the freehub body. Align the splines and engage all of the cogs.
  2. Spacers should be installed in the same orientation as those that cassette removal.
  3. Grease the thread lockrings and turn them into freehub.
  4. Install a cassette lockring tool and a quick-release skewer. Attach skewer nuts to the lockring tool.
  5. Snug skewer nut against remover. The skewer serves as a holding device to freewheel tools.
  6. Turn the remover clockwise to tighten the lockring, at least 360 inches (approximately 40 Nm). The sprocket whip tool is not necessary for installing lockring.
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Installation is also made easy by the FR-5.2G. Insert the FR-5G into the lockring splines and then tighten completely.

Sram Compatible, XD Freehub Cassette

SRAM XD freehubs, sprockets, and SRAM XD sprockets can be considered cassette systems. The cassette stack conceals the locking mechanism. For 12 splines, inspect the inner perimeter on the smallest sprocket. This fitting can be done with the FR-5, FR-5, FR-52.2GT, FR-52.5H, FR-52.5H, FR-52.2H, or FR-52.5G.

You can remove the cassette by holding it still using a chain whip. Turn the tool counterclockwise and insert the lockring tool (FR-5 series). The cassette carefully will lift, and the locking ring will come off the freehub.

Lubricate the threads of the cassette stack before installing it. The cassette should be placed on the freehub. Next, turn the locking ring clockwise with a tool. Attach the cassette to the freehub body at a distance of approximately 40Nm.

Non-Lockring Cog Removal

Some older freehubs might not have notches or splines next to the thru-axle. These older freehub cogs didn’t use a cassette lockring remover tool or a freewheel. The hub will have a dust cap on the right, but there are no recessed notches nor lockring splines. The lockring for all other cogs is the first cog.

NON-LOCKRING COG REMOVAL

  1. Two chain whip tools are used to place the first chain whip on the second or third cog. Hold it clockwise.
  2. To rotate the first cog counterclockwise, place the second chain whip on it.
  3. Arrange chain whips in a “V”. This will give you a more significant mechanical advantage. As you can see, the image is above.
  4. While holding the other chain whip, rotate the first cog clockwise. This will loosen the first cog. Take out the cog and remove other cogs.

Non-Lockring Cog Installation

Grease threads for the smallest cog.

Freehub allows you to install spacers and cogs.

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Attach the smallest cog to the sprocket chain whip and turn clockwise.

Maybe you also need: How To Assemble A Bike?

How To Change Bike Cassette Ratios?

This is a fair niche use, however if you use a triple crankset, a road cassette may provide an adequate overall range.

The use of a mountain bike cassette on a road cycle can make climbing simpler, which is useful if you plan on doing any bikepacking. A rear derailleur’s gear cage is made to hold just certain cogs. You’ll need a matching 11-34 rear derailleur if you plan on using a cassette of that size.

SRAM eTap AXS rear derailleurs have a maximum capacity of 33 teeth for usage on the road, as indicated by the words “Max 33t” engraved on the inside of the derailleur cage. The 10-36 cassette is joined by the “Max 36t” option and the “Max 44t” XPLR rear derailleur.

The 11-32 cog set can be used with the Campagnolo 12-speed rear derailleurs. The Campagnolo Chorus is the only group that can handle an 11-34.

If you upgrade your cassette ratio, you’ll also need to increase the length of your chain.

FAQs

Which way does a cassette unscrew?

A cassette unscrew can be loosened in a counter-clockwise way.

Can you remove a cassette?

You must remove the lockring to remove the cassette. You will need a unique splined tool to remove the shimano cassette. Some of these tools may be specific to your brand. The lockring must be unwound in the same direction as the freewheel spins to counter the unwinding motion. In this instance, a chain whip (a plier) is required.

Are cassettes available with lock rings?

These cassettes come with them. If you need one, an LBS may have spares.

FAQs how to remove bike cassette

Do you need a chain whip?

You want to keep your fingers safe while doing bike maintenance. A lockring tool and a chain whip are also necessary.

What’s the difference between a freewheel or a cassette?

What is the difference between a cassette hub and a freewheel? The freewheel is a single unit, and pedaling tightens it to the hub. On the other hand, the cassette hub is a collection of gears (cogs) that slide onto a cassette. It is held in place with a lock ring.

Conclusion

Here is how to remove the bike cassette from top to bottom. You will find some general instructions, details on tools, video guides, and so on. Thank you for reading, and good luck if you ever need that extra bit of help.

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