Crap… I accidentally ordered a SRAM version of the SunRace 11-42 Cassette. What is the difference between SRAM and Shimano cassettes? I thought they were compatible in this way?
There is no difference, SRAM and shimano 10speed cassettes are interchangeable.
Assuming you have a traditional splined freehub body, it will work.
We are talking 10speed here right?
Thanks @JoshM, yes that’s what I’m talking. 10sp 11-42 SunRace.
My Wolftooth Giant Cog is getting worn down and the cassette it is married to.
I think the chains are specific though. An SRAM will not fit a Shimano. At least that is what I have been told when I replaced my cassette a month ago
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Unless you’re talking about a cassette designed for SRAM 11/12 speed with the XD driver it will work fine. SRAM 9&10 speed chains and cassettes are interchangeable with each other. I run Shimano derailleurs on my 9 speed bikes with SRAM cassettes (for color matching LOL) and chains (because I like the quick release chain links). Oddly, I’m also running some pretty unique/obsolete SRAM 9 speed shifters that are designed to be used with Shimano derailleurs.
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Hopefully it wasn’t a bike shop that told you that.
Shimano, SRAM and KMC 10-speed chains are all interchangeable.
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I’m pretty sure Campy 10 speed chain would even work with Shimano/SRAM 10 speed cassette, if for some strange reason one should want to use it!
Personally I wish none of my rides had more than 8 speed cassette (especially those with FDs). Unfortunately they came with shifters that don’t pull the right amount of cable for an 8 speed cassette.
I also like friction shifters better than indexed shifters so what do I know.
Here is how the conversation went at the bike shop:
Me: My chain snapped last night so I put on this new one but I am getting some skipping in the rear cassette.
LBS: We’ll change the cassette and that should solve the problem. All we have is an SRAM in stock and your old cassette is Shimano. Since your brand new chain is Shimano we will have no choice but to swap it to an SRAM chain even though your new chain does not have any rides on it
Me: Hmmmmmmmmmm… that seems odd. OK I trust you guys go ahead and give me another new one
LOL… yeah, that’s ‘odd’ all right. Hope you kept the Shimano chain for a spare?
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Each chain manufacture shapes the face plate a little differently. Even though a SRAM chain may work on a Shimano drivetrain or vice versa a person may notice the performance is not optimal. Especially in the more narrow chains. KMC is an exception to this rule. KMC makes SRAM/Shimano compatible chains.
If a customer comes to Idealbikes I will recommend pairing like chains/cassettes/chainrings for two reasons. First being that it is designed to work that way and that is how it will work best. And second, in most situations if there is a failure of the part the respective distributor will ask if it was paired with same brand components. They do this when determining warranty eligibility. ie; A Shimano Chain paired with a SRAM Cassette fails. Was the Shimano Chain paired with a Shimano Cassette? No? Warranty Void. Not always, but sometimes.
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Pretty!