Ordered by 3 pm on weekdays – shipped the same day8
30-day return policy
800.000 active customers
Excellent 4.3 out of 5
Article header background
Article background image
Article background

Replace Your Bike Cassette

How to change your cassette yourself in 4 easy steps

> Find the Right Tools
> View the Step-by-Step Guide

detail view of removing a bike cassette

Is your old bike cassette worn out or do you want to adapt your existing gearing to mountainous terrain? In our step-by-step guide, we show you how to change your cassette quickly and easily at home.

Changing the Cassette – in a Short

tools to replace bicycle casette

WHAT YOU NEED

Essential Tools

Optional Equipment

You got everything you need for bike saddle adjustment? Let's go!

Our Tips for Preparation

Before we get to the actual changing of the cassette, we have a few basic recommendations for you:

  • The new cassette should be compatible with your shifting system – e.g. only replace 11-speed cassettes with 11-speed cassettes from compatible manufacturers (see product descriptions)
  • Pay attention to the capacity of your rear derailleur if you change the gear ratio, for example because you are planning to ride in the mountains (see product descriptions)
  • You can successfully adjust your bike only when it is safely positioned or secured
  • If you do not have an assembly stand, hang your bike on the saddle, use a rear stand or simply turn it over and place it carefully on the saddle and handlebars

Our Expert Tip: The cassette and bicycle chain form a direct unit and wear synergistically. If you replace your cassette, it may be advisable to replace the old chain at the same time. We explain this in more detail in our guide on changing your bike chain.

removing the rear wheel of a bicycle

STEP 1

Removing the Rear Wheel

  1. Shift the chain to the smallest chainring at the front and the smallest cassette sprocket at the rear.
  2. Open rim brakes using the quick release on the brake caliper. 
  3. Remove the quick release or thru axle (on very old, nostalgic bikes, you may need to loosen the axle nuts with wrenches).
  4. Push the rear derailleur cage slightly backwards and remove the rear wheel.

Our expert tip: While the rear wheel is removed disc brakes should not be operated Without a brake disk, the brake pads can be inadvertently compressed and must be pushed back before installation. Use a spacer between the brake pads

removing of a bicycle cassette

STEP 2

Removing the Old Cassette

  1. Place the removed rear wheel safely on the ground in front of you.
  2. Place the chain whip over one of the larger sprockets of your cassette in the opposite direction to the freewheel.
  3. Place the lockring tool in the lock ring of the cassette. Hold the cassette whip in place with one hand and turn the lockring tool counter-clockwise with the other hand.
  4. You can now simply remove the cassette from the freewheel. Also remove any spacers that sit behind the cassette on the freehub.
  5. Clean any dirt from the freehub body and the spacers.
fixing the lockring of a bicycle cassette

STEP 3

Mounting Your New Cassette

  1. Apply some grease to the freewheel to prevent any cracking noises later on. 
  2. Replace the spacers, if present, on the freehub body.
  3. You will see guiding grooves on your freewheel, which are correspondingly negative in the inner ring of your cassette. One of these guiding grooves on the freehub and cassette is slightly smaller than the others. Place the smallest recess of the cassette over the smallest guide groove of the freehub and slide the cassette onto the rotor.
  4. Screw in the locking ring of the cassette clockwise by hand.
  5. Now place the lockring tool back on the lock ring and tighten it to the recommended torque. 

Our expert tip: If you have a freewheel cassette, simply screw it onto the axle in a clockwise direction. The pedal force will tighten it clockwise by itself.

mounting of a quickrelease into a freehub body

STEP 4

Mounting the Rear Wheel in the Frame

  1. Apply some grease to the freewheel to prevent any cracking noises later on. 
  2. Replace the spacers, if present, on the freehub body.
  3. You will see guiding grooves on your freewheel, which are correspondingly negative in the inner ring of your cassette. One of these guiding grooves on the freehub and cassette is slightly smaller than the others. Place the smallest recess of the cassette over the smallest guide groove of the freehub and slide the cassette onto the rotor.
  4. Screw in the locking ring of the cassette clockwise by hand.
  5. Now place the lockring tool back on the lock ring and tighten it to the recommended torque. 
Video Consultation Banner
Video Consultation Banner
Video Consultation Banner

Need Help with Your Next Project?

Then simply get in touch with our customer service team. Our experts know the answer and will be happy to help you.

Ask Our Experts

Always Want to Stay up to Date?

Be the first to hear about great deals, news and trends – free and regular in your inbox.