Not swapped about, apparently my chain whip is somewhere other than the tool box‽
At least you’ve helped me rule out user error in the noises!
Just curious but how can you put the sprockets on the wrong way round?
Surely the splines on the free hub would prevent it going on the wrong way and the smaller sprockets have the spacer material on the inside.
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That’s correct, you can’t put the cogs on backwards
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If the gears are individual without the spacer attached then the splines only ensure it goes on in the correct position, not the right way round
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Great catch I was looking at the pic for a while and it just didn’t look right but didn’t even think about them being on incorrectly.
I’m pretty sure this isn’t the case. Ive often caught myself trying to fit cassette cogs backwards and only noticed because they wouldn’t go on.
Look at the cog in this picture and note how the inside teeth (for want of a better word) that sit on the freehub either side of the narrow valley are different, and therefore the cog isnt symmetrical and can’t be fitted in reverse
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I concede, never noticed that, but I’ve probably found myself fumbling and wondering why they weren’t going on also.
Those clever Shimano people
Agree here - it’s not possible to put them on in reverse. You can put them on out of order and with the spacers in the wrong position. I know this from experience!
Also an easy one all the cogs should have the engraving facing towards you - you should be able to read what T each cog is
An Ultegra cassette usually gets better hardening treatment than 105. I think it’s worth it. It should last longer
Yeah that’s right. I pointed out the splines because previous replies suggested that the cogs could be put on in reverse and the engravings had already been mentioned as a reference for correct orientation.
New cassette fitted, despite me cleaning the cassette with a brush and degreaser regularly there’s a good bit of grub out of reach.
What’s the OCD home mechanic’s opinion on removing the cassette every now and then to degrease and scrub all of it?
That’s not OCD, that is just good bike maintenance. I pull mine off every so often, drop it in a sonic cleaner and 30 min later have a sparkling cassette. Keeps your drivetrain very efficient and prevents excessive contamination on a new or cleaned chain.
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I couldn’t find citrus degreaser so bought a heavy duty kitchen degreaser (not oven cleaner) from b&q and it works brilliantly.