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Extend the new XT Cassette with a Garbaruk Xtender ST

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Garbaruk_Xtender-ST_steel-cassette-expander_Shimano-11speed_32-38-45_proto

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…

Garbaruk_Xtender-ST_steel-cassette-expander_Shimano-11speed_32-38-45
all photos courtesy of Garbaruk

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…

Garbaruk_Xtender-ST_steel-cassette-expander_Shimano-10speed_29-35-42

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.

Garbaruk_Xtender_aluminum-cassette-expander_29-42t_alloy Garbaruk_substitution-42t-sprocket-shimano

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.

Garbaruk.com

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Myke
Myke
8 years ago

Cool stuff and certainly serves a purpose. That 32-38-45 are some huge jumps. Maybe one day I’ll need 45t. I hope no time soon

shafty
shafty
8 years ago

The size of sprockets is ever increasing, but who’s really asking for it? It seems as though the next size will be chosen as simply an acceptable baby step.

Can we just go to 13 or 14 speed already? Just make all compatible bikes 163×12(157+boost), and make a longer freehub/driver.

Sspiff
Sspiff
8 years ago

If you ever do wear out that upper assembly, you can keep the aluminum carrier and have a sweet ninja star!

Chris L
Chris L
8 years ago

With all these wider range 1x drivetrains I really have to wonder how much longer it will be until someone starts improving on internally geared hubs to make them lighter and shift better under load.

Seraph
Seraph
8 years ago

I’ll wait for the 9-50 version.

benzo
benzo
8 years ago

Nice addition! I am using Shimano 1145 using a One-Up 45 cog, but this is very nice. 1145 I gives basically the same range of SRAM 1042, but without te need f a dedicated hub.

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

This is what I hate most about garage enterprises. Whatever the market does, sell the consumer some stuff to make them feel like their making their stuff better. Charge triple normal prices.

chasejj
chasejj
8 years ago

I like the aluminum spider steel tooth cogs. I am all in once my Oneup wears out which should be soon.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago

Chris L, maybe the pinion gearbox or something similar is the future? The weight isn’t too terrible and its still relatively new so I’m expecting that to improve too
I don’t see internal hubs being commonplace for decades or ever, far too heavy and you can’t shift under load with nearly any of them.

Rubber Queen
Rubber Queen
8 years ago

@Eric
What’s normal? Buy it, don’t buy it … why hate?

Don
Don
8 years ago

Has anyone ever made a cassette that has a micro-wide range, say a 3 tooth small sprocket up to a 17? Then combined with a 5 tooth front chainring that would give a big range. It would be so light.

Tim
Tim
8 years ago

100 euros is kind of par for the course for shiny aftermarket stuff that makes people ask questions at the trailhead. And the money goes to something worthwhile, namely, supporting Ukraine’s badly damaged economy. BTW, it’s “Ukraine” now, not “the Ukraine”.

Timmbers
8 years ago

I give it a few more years till folks realize that going back to a 26″ wheel will archive those sweet low gears the industry is looking for

Ant
Ant
8 years ago

if you need a 45, ask your doctor if 1x is right for you

Rocky Gardeno
Rocky Gardeno
8 years ago

The day I need a 45t is the day I buy an E-MTB

Freddie
Freddie
8 years ago

To those saying 45 is to big, don’t forget its going on a cassette with 11t smallest cog. The 11-45 cassette with a 32t ring will be about the same range as a 10-42 with 30t ring. Maths!

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

After racing a 32t/11-42t set-up all year, I don’t see how people need a 10t cog. Going from 10s (what I ride) to 11s in 11-42t eliminates my only gripe; the occasional big jump in gear ratios. I recognize if you reduce your chainwheel tooth count enough, you’ll lose your top end, but then as Ant points out, ‘maybe 1x isn’t right for you’!

1x is fine for racing in the Appalachians. If I were riding a heavier bike, or at a more sedate pace, or on steeper grades, i’d get a double.

GARBARUK
8 years ago

Dear BikeRumor visitors!

Concerning the huge jumps:

While designing our 32-38-45 Xtender, we wanted these jumps not to be too big. We got a value of 18.4% between 38-45 cogs and 18.8% between 32-38 cogs.
For example, SRAM and Shimano cassettes may have the following jumps: 27-32 cogs – 18.5%, 11-13 – 18.1%.

Anyway, thank you for your attention to our products.

Ol' Shel'
Ol' Shel'
8 years ago

There will always be people who have to lift themselves up by putting others down.

I run 26/42 on 29er and I climb the steepest, most technical riding I can find in the east. This low gear is the same basic low we all used when we had triple cranks. Funny how we forgot to hate on ourselves when we all had those low ratios.

Sure, you probably could walk or run steep techy climbs faster. Walking is fun!

For those of us who like the challenge of riding, we’ll ride the steep stuff, while the ‘real men’ get off and walk.

gee
gee
8 years ago

Steel cogs – like. The Absolute Black aluminum equivalent was a disaster

J N H
J N H
8 years ago

Steel teeth on an alloy carrier? Count me in. I bet the 11 speed mechs from Shimano can handle that fine, Shimano are always very conservative on the usable range of their mechs. With that kind of range I could keep my King wheels and run a single 32t up front, no more 26t crawler gear needed for those hours long Alpine slogs… maybe.

Heffe
Heffe
8 years ago

@shafty – Yes, I wonder if that will happen. A 1X system with 12, 13, or 14 gears would have enough selections in the range to make it more viable for road systems.

Gunnstein
Gunnstein
8 years ago

@Don Two reasons not to go into single-digit cogs: Wear and vibration. Smaller rings and cogs wear out faster, and wear the chain out faster, because they transmit higher torque (and support the torque on fewer teeth). Second, the fever teeth, the more drivetrain vibration. On 11t the vibration is noticeable for me. I haven’t tried 10t but it should be about 10% worse, and from there on it will get progressively worse. The reason for the vibration is that cogs are not circular. A 10t cog is a 10-sided polygon, and the chain lifts up and falls down for each corner. The fewer corners, the more it has to lift and fall.

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

The vibration from small cogs is called chordal action or chordal vibration. Read about it here: http://chain-guide.com/basics/2-2-1-chordal-action.html

chasejj
chasejj
8 years ago

JNH-I ride a Shimano M9000 11spd rear mech with a 11-45 One-up and Absolute Black oval up front.
The stock rear der shifted pretty well stock. But I recently purchased a Lindarets/Wolftooth 11 link setup and it made it shift perfectly with less B tension.
This is the perfect setup. I tried 1x and realized that even though it limited my gearing selection it was better than 2x or 3x due to the LACK of need for a front shift ever.

wildbill14
wildbill14
8 years ago

I just wanted to say that these guys are awesome. I do not have the cassette extender but I have bought several chainrings from them for my road, cross, and mtb. I have used raceface, wolftooth, Sram and Garbaruk. Garbaruk are the best in my opinion. Great quality and prices. Also their teeth are huge, so there is no fear of the chain coming off, even in crazy muddy situations. Anyways just my 2 cents on their products and A+ customer service.

Jimbo
Jimbo
8 years ago

It’s “Ukraine” not “The Ukraine”. It’s no longer a region of the USSR.
Ed: Fixed

MBR
MBR
8 years ago

@ Everyone who keeps asking why this proliferation of larger and larger cassettes?
Well, maybe because quite a few 1x users are finding out that they need/want more range… and it’s probably on the granny side. Please, no lectures or shaming for needing a lower gear. I’m also curious how many 1x drivetrains out there can successfully be backpedaled in every gear without the chain moving on the cassette.
If you really want/need lower gearing, I certainly do as a bikepacker living in the Rockies, still very hard to beat a 2x setup.
Loving my 22/32 crank and 11-36 cassette. And for multi-day, fully loaded bikepacking events, I even replace the 22 with a 21 granny ring. Oh, the shame of being able to spin instead of having to HAB.

Mecanico do Paladar
Mecanico do Paladar
8 years ago

My experience whit Garbaruk parts is very positive.
Props to their work!
Garage enterprises….. LOL!

Cliff
Cliff
8 years ago

Installed mine last weekend and rode it last night on Black Mt. here in San Diego. It worked brilliantly with no adjustment to the RD at all. I bought the steel version. I look forward to it lasting a long time. I have ridden and appreciated both the Wolftooth and OneUp. I just really like the smooth shifting that the Shimano cassette combines with the Garbaruk cassette extender. It looks good, too.

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