e13 9-46 11 speed cassette...

Pedaled one around for a bit. Felt basically like any other wide range cassette. The 9 tooth does feel a tiny bit janky (barely perceptible sort of whirr on the chain), but only in the parking lot. On the trail, if you're in the 9T you're going fast enough you wont notice.

If that’s the case, then maybe go with a smaller chainring up front and stick with a 42t?

I’ve been riding them for about a year and a half. Yes, we spec them in build kits, which was because we tried it, and liked it. I was the main proponent of this cassette, internally.

9t: This was something I was skeptical about initially, as the chain vibration and wear increases exponentially as tooth count reduces. Machinery’s Handbook has a chart that shows this, but things are generally considered questionable when you go below ~12t. However, dropping down to 9t gives a substantial increase in gearing range without making the rest of the cassette larger. And, in use, it’s something that is used periodically just for pedaling down roads at high speed and the extra vibration is not something I can notice, even when paying attention for it.
TL;DR the 9t is not a problem, but helps make for a huge gearing range without a physically huge cassette, relatively.

Range: with more than a 500% range, it makes chainring size less important. If you are coming from a 10-42 setup, and if the chainring size worked before, I would keep the same size ring and you (or your wife in this case) have an extra gear lower and higher.

Setup: you have to be a little more precise with derailleur adjustments with this cassette compared to a full Shimano or SRAM setup, ime.

Long term: last year I wore out an XT derailleur before the e13 cassette. But, when the cogs wear out, you can replace it in pieces.

rideit said:

That being said, wifey will NEVER be in the 9T, so I guess it is a moot point.

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if that's the case. why not just go with a nice cheap 11-46 from shimano or sunrace?

Ah. ok. sorry. unless changing the freehub is a cheap option just ignore my input.

rideit said:

That being said, wifey will NEVER be in the 9T, so I guess it is a moot point.

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save the money and get a 11-46 then

I've been riding with the e13 9-42 10sp and is has been fine so far.

I have this one, about 10 rides in, so MTG has more experience.

I like the range A LOT for being able to climb steep shit and still have a high gear for steep descents. I was previously on a 30T chainring for the climbs and always spun out on descents.

I don't love the shifting on the e13. Seems sticky and grindy and pingy. Perhaps the stickiness will "break in" later.

I have not bothered to fine tune it yet other than basic cable tensioning and confirming the limit screws are right.

My theory is that the massive range plus giant aluminum cogs plus a clutch derailleur are basically pushing a 100 year old design near (past) the limit.

IMHO the smooth shifting and longevity of 9 speed shimano steel cassettes from 10 years ago aren't going to be replicated now that we've been sold unrealistic expectations of what 1x can do.

rideit said:

as said before, XD driver.

Deja Vu much?

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Why the fuck SRAM never made an 11spd 10 - 45 or 46 is beyond me. Shimano did the 11 - 46 XT (XTR topped out at 40 or something up until they released the brand new 12spd shit) but it weighed a ton compared to the SRAM cassettes.

garbaruk cassettes can be had in XD. Not cheap but mostly steel and light.

I have been running the e13 cassettes for about a year on a couple bikes. They don't shift quite as well as a shimano cassette, and I have worn out a couple of the small gear halves of the cassette The good news is they are great about warranting them

rideit said:

My paranoid lizard-theory is that Sram bet that users looking for 46/50 teeth would be willing to go whole hog on a new Eagle setup.
Misguided, IMO.
But in many cases, I am sure this worked out for them.

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Somehow Shimano actually asked people about it, and hence produced their new 12-speed wunderkit in an 11spd option minus the dinner plate cog.

Been running one for a while on the new bike. Seems to work. You've gotta romance the derailleur to get the running on the 9t to be normal, but it's doable. Any noise/rubbing is not noticeable at those speeds, and I'm never in that gear for long enough to matter anyway.

Bitch to install if you slip and punch the cassette with full force. Heard from a friend.....

I run a sram 10-42 on one of my bikes with an XTR derailleur. The 10t is definitely a bit "clunky", it works ok, but nothing to write home about. I've heard the current shimano stuff doesn't like going down to the 9t. SRAM may be the better platform for it.

I'm fine with the shift quality of the E13 9-46, but not crazy about the revised design for fixing of the large cogs. The new design has a collar & pinch bolt. The regular old way used a lockring & the threads on the XD body. The new design tends to move on the hub driver, even with all brand new parts, & the bolt torqued properly.

My new bike will come with one but it's getting replaced with a XO 11-42 right away. They work well enough but not quite as smooth as Sram and heavier. If I needed the range I'd choose e13 over Eagle but 11-42 with 34t works for me and is lighter and smoother.

And I've killed the 9-42s aluminum cluster. Chain slips under torque. The idea of having just the worn cogs replaced is great - if they haven't discontinued the cassette and spare parts.

It's been a while since I saw a 9-42. I think you'll need to get the 46t.

Lelandjt said:

It's been a while since I saw a 9-42. I think you'll need to get the 46t.

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Not 10sp.

The lockring can be a bitch to remove. Had to zip tie a whip to the cassette to get enough leverage to loosen it.

Have you tried calling them to see if they have any left?

StiHacka said:

The lockring can be a bitch to remove. Had to zip tie a whip to the cassette to get enough leverage to loosen it.

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Mother of god, in the name of everything holy...

StiHacka said:

The lockring can be a bitch to remove. Had to zip tie a whip to the cassette to get enough leverage to loosen it.

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Based on that, I might just apply some anti-seize to mine...

johnbryanpeters said:

Based on that, I might just apply some anti-seize to mine...

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The lockring threads are coated with blue substance - I am assuming thread locker - from factory.

So they took good care of me, happy endings are the best endings.

StiHacka said:

So they took good care of me, happy endings are the best endings.

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Ah yes, the warm washcloth and fuzzy towel are the best. Well done you!