Based on the number of wide range cassette adapters available, the desire for wider range 10 speed cassettes is widespread. Without any purpose built cassettes and derailleurs, riders have been forced to modify current cassettes or pony up for expensive 11 speed drivetrains.
Most cassette adapters result in odd jumps in the cassette that are now starting to be filled with additional 16t cogs. While completely functional, you have to assume a purpose built cassette may shift better. Thanks to German component manufacturer Trickstuff, it looks like that time has come. First spotted as a prototype at the 2013 Eurobike show, Trickstuff has put the finishing touches on their 10 speed wide range cassette and it’s now available in the U.S.
Is this the 10 speed cassette we’ve been waiting for? More details next…
Called the 4111, the cassette’s name comes from the highest and lowest gears, 11-41. With a low gear between the popular 40 and 42t cassette adapters, clearly a lot of b-tension will be needed to keep the derailleur cage from interfering with the largest cog, but with a OneUp Rad or Radr cage or SRAM X-Type derailleur it should work fine.
Trickstuff told us at Eurobike that the prototype was still being developed and that their goal was to get the 11-40 cassette down to 270g to compete with XTR. Not only did they bump the low gear up to 41t, but the cassette now has a claimed weight of just 257g. To get the weight low but keep the cog’s durability gears 1-7 are made from hardened steel and run on a carbon spider while 8-10 are made form nickel plated 7075 aluminum. Using a standard Shimano/SRAM 9/10 freehub body, the cassette should work well with both SRAM or Shimano drivetrains.
Compared to a Shimano XT 11-36 cassette with a 40t cassette adapter and a 16t cog (11-13-16-19-21-24-28-32-36-40), the 4111 has a 20% maximum change in gearing with 11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-36-41 cogs. Combining better spaced jumps at the higher end of the cassette and the possibility of more cohesive shifting the cassette has a lot to offer. The only drawback may be the price – at $329 which includes free shipping from Radsport USA, the 4111 is more expensive than a SRAM X1 11 speed cassette. Then again, the 4111 is over 58 grams lighter and doesn’t require a new shifter, derailleur (OneUp cage not withstanding) or freehub body.