We were just tipped off of a new set of beautifully-machined steel and aluminum cassette extenders made in Ukraine to get a bit more range out of the biggest of the current Shimano cassettes available. While Garbaruk had gone live this summer with their 29-35-42T cluster that fit on the top of 10 speed SLX, XT and even SRAM cassettes, the newest version targets the recently introduced 11-42 M8000 XT cassette. Spin past the break for a more detailed look at the range extenders they offer, as well as pricing…
The newest cassette add-on popped up on Garbaruk’s Instagram feed today and will offer a 32-45 spread that will boost the new 11 speed XT cassette ranges by 12.5% over the 11-40 or 7% over the 11-42. The 32-38-45 cogs will replace the 31-35-40 of the smaller or the 32-37-42 of the larger M8000 cassette. The three machined steel cogs get riveted to a machined aluminum carrier, much like their 10 speed version, and will sell for 100€ which you can add onto the 120€/150€ of the standard Shimano 11-40/11-42 cassettes. So far it is unclear what mods may be required to keep smooth shifting, and it’s unlikely that shift speed will be as fast as the XT original (just on the basis of XT’s exceptional performance), but the cogs do get logical looking shaping and ramps, and the fact that even the biggest cogs are steel vs. the XT’s aluminum means these will likely last longer. Plus that aluminum flower-shaped carrier sure is pretty. No discounting the nice machining there.No word on availability yet, but Garbaruk was taking orders just a couple of weeks after they announced the 10 speed version, and this pic with the anodized carrier looks pretty ready for market. Plus their Facebook seems to suggest it’s ready to ship. If interested now, get in touch with them…
The previous version was built off 11-36, 10 speed cassettes from SRAM and Shimano replacing the top three cogs with the single alloy carrier and steel cogs for an 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-29-35-42 gear ratio, boosting the stock range by 17%. The compatible 10 speed cassettes are Shimano SLX HG81 & XT M771 and SRAM PG 1030 & 1050. Pricing is the same at 100€ with claimed weight of 185g.
Not to be ignored, Garbaruk also makes a one-piece Shimano machined 7075 aluminum cassette extender for 90€ that matches the 29-42 steel version for almost 80g less and a 60€ machined-aluminum 42T cog to be added on to a 11-36 cassette with the 17T cog being removed for Shimano and SRAM 10 speed drivetrain conversions. All of their offerings, including a huge range of wide-narrow and direct mount chainrings can be shipped worldwide. Shipping rates vary, but are calculated when you order. For example shipping a few chainrings or a cassette is about 6€ throughout the EU.