The wide range mountain bike cassette options just keep rolling in, bringing more choices at more price points. So far we’ve seen models from Praxis, SunRace, Hope, Edco, Microshift, SEQlite and Trickstuff…and newer versions from SRAM and Shimano. And that doesn’t even count all the hop up kits to mod your existing cassette.
Now we’ve found a number of options from IRD, including this 11-42 and an 11-40 topping the spread. It’s compatible with standard SRAM and Shimano SGS speed rear derailleurs, and they’ve got options for both 10-speed and 11-speed. That means less expensive upgrades as long as your rear wheel’s freehub body will fit an 11-speed cassette if you’re going for the extra cog. Otherwise, the 10-speed versions make for an easy 1×10 conversion without losing too much range.
They also make an 11-36 (shown directly above) and many, many more (below), and street prices are around $160 or less. Weights range from about 300g to 450g depending on size. All use nickel chrome plated cogs on an alloy spider, which means a big extra weight but improved durability on the largest cogs compared to the alloy versions on so many other brands.
