2 Problems You Can Have Installing The 12 Speed Shimano Cassette. What Can Go Wrong...

I have already build a couple of bikes equipped with Shimano 1x12 drivetrain and still get this wrong during installation... Did you make some of these mistakes too?
Where to buy 12 speed cassette: amzn.to/34zn7tM
Where to buy bike products:
amzn.to/35EW5k6 Shimano XTR M9100 12 speed
amzn.to/2HEfJUX Shimano cassette 12 speed

[@indoorkangaroo3431]

In a nutshell ‘here is where you can go wrong’. This is why your channel is so good, many videos show you step 1, 2, & 3 with no problems at all but that’s often not how things work. Thank you for the excellent video

[@hellebarde1450]

Oh yessss, I'm so fed up by the tons of videos on yt where all of the work gets just super smooth without any problems like magic, with all their super clean parktools and always cutting out the tricky and annoying parts of the work - which are basically the most interesting parts and why someone search help on yt.... :) (Same also in the motorcycle scene, etc.)

[@knewal7050]

its quite a miracle i didn't screw up anything when I installed my SLX 12 speed cassette without knowing these details.

[@MTBMOR]

Same here. I'm always nervous when I take parts of the bike apart.

[@trentrichardson1848]

Thanks! Replacing my XT 9100 cassette today and admittedly did it in a hurry and easy to miss the spacer thickness difference and the gear 11/12 alignment. Your video straightened me out and saved further ride delays. Appreciate you taking the time to create!

[@paulhewitt1488]

Great video , theses are the small things that go wrong and subsequently take a lot of "scratching the head" to ascertain what happened during a relatively straight forward operation. You've got a terrific chanel and a really well organised presentation technique. Thanks 👍👍

[@ascinder]

Thank you so much! Your video ensured I got off on the right foot with this bike build instead of heading down a path of frustration.

[@philiversen6812]

Thank you! I had a similar problem and was very frustrated trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. After watching this I had it sorted out in no time.

[@SuperMandme]

Thanks! this helped me put together my SLX cassette after switching wheels. That side view camera angle did it.

[@chuckmartellaro6643]

Thanks for this man! Didn’t know it came apart into this many pieces and didn’t realize the spacers were different widths until I finished washing it

[@MalcolmTroon]

I must have just gotten lucky when I serviced my cassette in the past. Your video saved me from turning my cassette cogs into Japanese throwing stars. Thanks!

[@alvindiazmarquez]

Same thing with me! I've installed hundreds of cassettes but couldn't get the XT 8100 cassette in right at the 11th sprocket until I saw this video! Thanks dude!

[@andygarnell1998]

Hi. A really great video. Got my XTR cassette from my LBS. Was one he had for normal service so no plastic holder. Came with a cable tie so your video will be of great help tomorrow. Many thanks. You made it look very easy and simple.

[@marcstucki]

Last night I had to replace a 12sp Shimano cassette. What I had expected to be a 5 minute job finally took the best part of an hour. The issue was exactly what you're describing here. The last few cogs were wobbling. Had to redo it multiple times until they were seated correctly. I normally prefer Shimano over SRAM but in this case I need to admit, the design of the SRAM cassettes for the XD body is superior. Shimano should design a one-piece cassette to make installation fool-proof.

[@Matthew-ez4ze]

Excellent video for those looking to do the job correctly. I deep clean my road bike's 12 speed cassette and always take the cassette apart slowly, and install it slowly and carefully.

[@TheBrendan777]

Thanks Mate! I was really struggling and knew something was wrong. Your video set me straight.

[@sammaloitunutkivi]

Thanks, I really didn’t notice the spacer thickness difference at first. This was really helpful video for making things right.

[@anthonylewis3210]

Cheers for the advice,I couldn’t work out why I couldn’t tighten the bolt up tighter! Watched your vid and worked out where I was going wrong ! That 11 cog really has to be set true 👍🏻

[@UKMitchy]

On the 10th, 11th, and 12th sprockets, I mark the wide slot on the outside of the sprocket with a marker pen to help line it up.

[@Nilla_S]

This one of the best channels to provide good info. Thank you

[@jakobpfeifer4799]

Although I think you could avoid the focusing problem with more cutting and voice-over commentary, I really appreciate videos like this. I do not currently own a Shimano 1x12, but my next bike certainly will, and clips like this can be really short, but make you a hell of a lot more prepared. Thank you!

[@MTBMOR]

Another issue if you switch from an xd driver to a microspline, you will need different caps as well. I was sent a wheel with the xd driver instead of the microspline. Then, they sent me the microspline without new caps. I put the wheel on my bike several times before realizing it wasn't me. It was the wrong cap.

[@wharfeego]

I was going to fit a new SLX cassette to my new wheel this weekend - so I'm really glad I saw your vid before going ahead with the job - because I would surely have made all the mistakes you pointed out. Thank you! 👍

[@chrisarnold9412]

Great informative video thanks. Just stripped to de-grease, once I'd pulled it all apart I then realized the spacers were different sizes. Doh.

[@R71D]

Thank you for this video. It verified what I found on my new bike purchase. Very helpful!

[@torstenvollmer704]

Hey, thanks for that! I was searching for this kind of stufff quite while and it helped me a lot. Thanks from Hamburg, Germany .. Todd

[@roebbiej]

I almost screwed up the thread on the lock nut because I friend to lock it in while the 11th sprocket was not fully aligned, like you showed in the video. Luckily I found the correct way before I ruined everything.

[@ericpmoss]

This is very helpful -- it tells me that Shimano is making it impossible to mix and match for my needs. If the cogs and spacers were uniform, I could make the exact cassette I need -- it doesn't have to shift perfectly for my bike and riding, but it does have to have the gearing I want.

[@liamriley6904]

Thank you so much! You ended my Saturday morning nightmare! ❤️ You're a legend!

[@vilhelm957]

Great video. I had my bike at the bikeshop, assembling my new wheel. When i got home and took my first ride and it shifted weirdly. So when i got home i looked at the cassette and he had done all the mistakes.

[@ianhollinshead2282]

Doh! Got me too! Been installing cassettes for years, I had no idea about this though, thanks for the fantastic video, it made things super clear

[@eric3969]

KZbin recommended this video after I just installed a 12-sp XT cassette today. Yes!!!! It’s a hug pain in the ass to get installed correct compared to even the OneUp mini-hub.

[@Lepercurtidoo]

Thank you for this nice and very clear video. I'm quite a noob and building my bike with the 12 speed deore xt cassette. This will help me for sure.

[@strenkp]

Today ma Deore 12speed fell apart when putting down the cassette. This is very, very helpful video to show in details how to assemble it back again :)

[@mjs24939]

This should be required viewing before installing or reinstalling a Shimano 12 speed cassette. I managed to strip the lock ring threads while torqueing it down, thinking that I had everything seated (being used to SRAM simplicity). Thankfully I didn't also strip the freehub threads. Thank you.

[@tomasangelomena6866]

Just get your pentel pen and put a mark on the male large spline and female large spline. Now you have indicator and just align the two marked points.

[@pcanh1234]

Yes he's right i had gears jumping, I mixed the spacers up! Then the last 2 sprockets were a pain to get on, the lock ring would not go on.its very eady to get number 11 wrong.

[@danielconner8773]

Spot on info for the 12 tooth sprocket

[@BryenWilliams]

Buddy thanks for saving me. Messed up that spacer order stripped out lock ring. Still couldn’t get 11 on to save my life. Couple drops of chain lube on that dreaded #11 and boom it slipped on. Thanks again

[@cannondany]

Good for you! I still make some basic mistakes with new parts...

[@maestropastrana]

Incredibly helpful video, thank you so much!

[@ivanoumov781]

Great video,on point. I had exactly the same issues.

[@caseygrant636]

Thaaaaaank you! I was about to take my wheel outback and use it for target practice

[@xtianmechanix864]

Very informative discussion.thank you sickbiker.

[@hjwtest7050]

thank you! I have stripped thread on 2 lock rings already before finding this video. This really helped me. Can I ask - do you know if some wheels require a spacer on the freehub before fitting the cassette? I think not, and you don't show one, but I wanted to check (I am retro fitting Shimano microspline to a Roval wheel).

[@maxpower3407]

Thank you!!! Just like you said, several easy mistakes especially if you've installed many cassettes. Bad job Shimano design team, great job SickBiker!!!

[@jdar-design-motion]

Thanks so much! That was super helpful!

[@VenerandoMoore]

My first stupid mistake was assembling the cranks at the same direction when everything was tightened. When my wife arrived at home, I blamed her because she was in my mind while I was assembling the cranks.

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Thanks for this. Do you use grease on the freehub body when you actually install it for real, or do you install it dry? If dry, any creaking?

[@NickMaovich]

Have Sunrace SMS8 on my Merida Silex 300 but the video helped me to mount the cassette back! Those two little sprockets hahaha Thanks for the video!

[@SpringsMTBsac]

Fantastic and very informative!

[@believeinittobe]

I sincerely hope that shop mechanics are paid accordingly. Each year there are changes... some major, some minor. Some sensible, and some SILLY. But it all has to be learned well to keep customers happy and shops respected/ in business.

[@ramonmonit]

another very informative video, thanks

[@guzzisan21]

Helpful vid, thanks! I stripped a lockring before watching this 😞

[@Dendogg7]

Thanks. I messed mine up last night. Can go fix it now.

[@nomad-pq4yw8iy7v]

I don't know if complicated is quite the right word but, this video does have merit . Try having that thin spacer be missing and not know it when you finally get all the parts in to convert your bike over. Lets hope the local shop has one. Good cassette, design could be tweaked just that little bit!

[@jeepsterc104]

I think the ratonale on why Shimano still left the last 4 sprockets loose, so we can replace any of them individually as soon as they were worn out.

[@tomaskonkol8894]

Lite bit contrapositive if on modern 1x12 most used sprokets are in middle of the range.

[@planesailing6919]

@@tomaskonkol8894 but the small ones tend to wear quicker due to being so small

[@lukassportactivities3149]

Damn how i love the Sram XD Casettes :)

[@jefferyharmon5290]

Until you shift one after riding XTR lol

[@matthewkramer8613]

It seems Shimano could have made a better design if they go to the trouble of casting new cassette sprockets for 12s. In the higher end cassettes the spacers are typically lighter material to get the weight savings, some of engineering tickles down to the lower end models but yeah why not just make that spacer part of the sprocket or key the sprockets better so the stay lined up.. Thanks for the vid!

[@johnlesoudeur3653]

Now the XTR CS-M9100-12 has only one spacer (after the 9th) and a plastic one before the cassette "Low Spacer - Y1X401500" in the very latest to prevent creaking. Still need to be good at jigsaws though...what a PITA.

[@johndef5075]

Got the cassette right. But on my first 12 speed rear derailleur I didnt know there was a tab that rests against the derailleur hangar. I had the b- screw right up against the hangar.

[@mountainbikingfortherestofus]

Can't believe I was having trouble installing a cassette. As you said, I have installed many cassettes over the years and can probalby do it now with my eyes closed...EXCEPT this one. This is my first micro spline drive and am not impressed how shimano designed it. Thank you for this video.

[@johndef5075]

It does kinda suck. I would prefer an hg body. And I have a non Shimano 12 speed hg cassette so it is possible.

[@vivoslibertos]

Legend says always read the manuals before installing things

[@user-hn1ph6ry8l]

Puff! The manual created only for one thing - search out what you are broke just in time. :)

[@user-sk8os3sg2u]

@@user-hn1ph6ry8l русские вперёд

[@perserventia]

super! my shimano 12 speed cassette is on its way along with some new Hunt wheels and GRX crank.

[@rogerserafin]

Thank you so much for this !!

[@brianmaldonado3723]

Very helpful and TY.

[@w1nchester32]

really useful thanks!

[@chefmarkkalix]

Thank you!

[@markclarke7420]

Great vid 😊Thankyou.

[@travelblogger7102]

Great manual! Thanks! 🌈

[@chriswatson2407]

You have good cognition.

[@yudimahendra7655]

Thanks man, i just fix up mine. 👍

[@jackgarner7818]

I'll stick with the 11-spd, seems really close to the 12 without all the worries!

[@johndef5075]

I just switched from 10 to 12 and Im wondering if it was worth it. 12 is a whole different animal as far as set up.

[@fra93ilgrande]

It happened to me too LOL 😂 I put a spacer wrong once, but I noticed only on a ride

[@45graham45]

Good video, thanks. However, at 6:04 you said no. 12 & no. 10 have the dots on them. I presume you meant no. 12 & no. 11?

[@jvtente]

Buenas tardes... Una pregunta.. El cassette Ultegra de 12 v lleva un espaciador entre la rueda y las primeras coronas? Un espaciador de 1 mm o less?

[@christianbettoni81]

Tyvm!

[@alexunlv]

Just had an issue tonight. Two smallest cogs no longer shift/turn with the Cassette. They appear to be "lose/disconnected" from the Cassette. Will take wheel apart tomorrow, but curious if that sounds like a damaged Cassette or can the cogs simply be attached/tightened correctly?

[@spencerimre]

Do you need to install a spacer on the driver body before you put the cassette on? I found after installing mine that the cassette was moving back and forth a fair amount as a unit, moving left to right and vice versa between the free hub body.

[@nicolapellegrino1072]

Not so complicated... you just have to keep in mind the spacers sequence and with the grooves is almost impossible to make mistakes because if you don't fit in the right ones the cogs simply won't slip on the freehub.. the "problem" are the spacers.. mainly but nothing too complicated.

[@scoobydan8042]

Like you say, I've replaced a hundred cassettes and the only I've messed up was 12 spd SLX - stripped the lock ring 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@joelrunyan1608]

That 9th cog is like that probably due to limitations of the manufacturing process

[@blakesmith9844]

Thank you so much.

[@51249ca]

Already screwed up the thin threads on the lock ring. Very finicky. "Better gear" ratios + cheaper price of Shimano vs. ease of installation + possible improved durability of SRAM (GX and above), albeit at a much higher premium.

[@markus-lehtinen]

Thanks!

[@Kot1026]

I've always didn't like shimano HG cassettes because of those stupid separate cogs. Now with the 12 speed, instead of simplifying the construction, like XD one-piece, shimano just made it even more complicated 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@og3psgdavaooperationalbase530]

Good day! I just want to inquire if I could use 10-51t cogs for SLX M7120 (2x) RD? Is is possible/functional or not? Thanks.

[@corycollongues5761]

Wow. Just have to swap the spacers. I was wondering why my gears were jumping so much.

[@14TacomaDR]

I am going into the 3rd week waiting for a delivery for a Shimano free hub for my 2020 Specialized Turbo Levo . They say in it shipping but can't say when it will arrive . Summer flying by and I can't ride. The number on mine is fh-mt510-b . Would any of the other models be compatible ? I need the 28 hole version.

[@julianrodriguez3451]

I want to install 12 speeds cassette from LT woo Ax any advice you can tell me thank you

[@marioalbertogarcia2765]

You are the man!!

[@fisher5096]

If I,m not wrog and I think that is not the case you should see a little dot on each of last two chainrings...purpose of those two is to find the alignment point more easily.

[@zakikisteria0235]

So I think this is the reason why when I put Strong Pedaling power on the smallest gear, its like my chain on the cassette snaps...

[@ridesafealways4929]

Mine does it on 4th cog.

[@user-iv8do8nk9i]

hi do i need to put grease in hub before i will put my slx cassette thanks

[@rlopez9044]

Hi there, Thanks for the video, So the alignment dots are in 12 and 10, correct? In the the video looks like is 12 and 11.

[@gergo-hajdu]

All three sprockets 10, 11 and 12 have dots!✌

[@LeBoosLeisure]

So when the cassette comes in the box, can’t you just take it out and put it on with no problem? I’ve seen the. New and they come packaged already assembled. I’m confused as to why you have to separate anything when it comes completely assembled in the box. Aren’t the spacers already in the proper position out the box?

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

You're not wrong. But some people get too excited and yank everything out of the box and throw it on the bench. And some people take their cassette off at a later date to clean things and end up with full disassembly.

[@JamesDavis73]

THANK YOU

[@shafhamid83]

I've been searching your videos to see if there are any reviews for a 2x12 drivetrain setup. I know the trend is to go 1x12 but there must be a reason why Shimano still offers a 2x12 setup. Unfortunately I can't find anyone who has a 2x12 and done a pro & con review of 2x12. My current setup is a Shimano 2x10 wide range but my rear axle is only 12x142mm. Can I upgrade to a 12s whether it is 1x12 or 2x12 and what would I need to change if I decide to upgrade?

[@matthewkramer8613]

I think 2x is still offered because racers may prefer the ability to drop high to low in one shift. I also am running 2x 10 also on cross country bike and when terrain changes abruptly getting in lower gear fast is what you want. As for 12s I think you need the micro spline hub body to except the 12s cassette. 10/11 is different. Certain hubs can change out the hub body but you may need a new rear wheel to go 12s depending on your current wheel. Personally I think 11 is plenty, 1x or 2x.

[@juluisreyes9094]

Wow..good thing I bought a m8000 xt 11speed cogs..i hate the micro spline of the 12speed.

[@boggy7076]

Hi, i have a question. So the new xt cassette wont fit on freehub from shimano right or it will be same as the new microspline?

[@mozzjones6943]

Hi, Bit of a late reply but the 12 speed cassettes from shimano will only fit on their micro spline hub. If you are lucky to have a wheel that can be converted, Then you can get an adapter.. Otherwise you need a new wheel that's ready built with this hub. Or, I think you can get one built into your existing wheel (don't hold me to that), But I don't think that would be cost effective anyway over just buying one.

[@susanrichardson340]

I’ve just fitted a 12 speed casette to an xd freehub, casette sits too proud of free hub body and when installed to bike, casette touches frame. Anyone had this issue?

[@KaizersPOV]

I just wish SImano would make like a single-piece cog utilizing the entire micro spline that way the gouging problem will be eliminated

[@girorsw9863]

This is a SLX Kasette not XT . XT has 2 black Ritzel😉

[@kerryman7150]

Just saved my ass! Thank you!