Mega range cassettes

[Wizard9956]

Hi all , why don't all bikes come with mega range rear cassettes like 11-32 or 12-26 , seeing as they give the widest range for riding . Or is there draw backs to these big cassettes ?
Would they be suitable for a ebike ?

atb

Wizard

 

[mk1]

Hi all , why don't all bikes come with mega range rear cassettes like 11-32 or 12-26 , seeing as they give the widest range for riding . Or is there draw backs to these big cassettes ?
Would they be suitable for a ebike ?

atb

Wizard

A lot of sports cyclists don't like a big 'jump' between gears, as it can upset your smooth pedaling rhythm. Also they are heavier and probably a bit more clunky in use.
They are very suitable for utility bikes, I would think they would be good on E bikes also.

Martin

 

[Ian]

There's no real drawbacks on electric bikes, apart from the extra cost of the cassette plus the long cage derailleur it needs, and small as that cost may be it would be a consideration on budget bikes. I've a feeling the widest ranges may only be available as cassettes rather than freewheels which would rule out their use on rear hub motor bikes.

On unpowered bikes many riders, particularly road racers, consider the ratios of megarange cassettes too far apart and would prefer a lighter smoother shifting close-ratio cassette along with a lighter short-cage derailleur.

Conventional cycles normally have 2 or 3 front chainrings vastly increasing the range and rendering a megarange cassette unnecessary.

 

[frank9755]

Quite a few e-bikes do come with megaranges. I've had two - a Powabyke and Wisper - which have them. Living in a flat area I've never used them but its handy to know they are there if there is a hill that the motor can't cope with.

They are available as freewheels. Shimano does both 6 and 7 speed megaranges with ranges up to (from memory) 11-34.

People sometimes say that a disadvantage of rear wheel hubs is that you don't have adequate gear options, but I think one of those Shimano megarange freewheels does the job perfectly well!

 

[Wizard9956]

Thanks for the information all , my how it's changed over the years , i don't remember there being mega ranges when i was a teenager .
Could someone tell me what the difference is between a cassette and a freewheel , i take it a freewheel does just that , but does a cassette not freewheel ?
And can i assume that they are all a standard fitment to a rear wheel .

atb

Wizard

 

[mk1]

Could someone tell me what the difference is between a cassette and a freewheel , i take it a freewheel does just that , but does a cassette not freewheel ?
And can i assume that they are all a standard fitment to a rear wheel .

atb

Wizard

This refers to the 2 different types of rear sprocket systems. The 'Freewheel' is a one piece system where the whole cluster of sprockets (including the freewheel) screws on to the wheel hub.
A 'Cassette' uses a separate freehub which can stay attached to the hub while the cogs(casette) are removed.
E bikes normally use the screw on type I believe.

Martin

 

[flecc]

Cassettes slide onto a long and strong freewheeling unit on the hub.

Multi sprocket freewheels are much weaker, most of the sprockets hanging outboard from the inner bearings. That's not so important on e-bikes though, since the motor relieves the rider of much of the effort, and so makes life easier for the geartrain.

Freewheel megarange sets have four to six moderately spaced sprockets, then a big ratio step down to the largest sprocket, that meant just for the rare toughest circumstance. This is ideal for an e-bike, since that very low gear is a good "get you home" for a flat battery situation.

Currently available multi sprocket freewheels are 5 speed 14 to 24 tooth, 6 speed megarange 14 to 34 tooth, 6 speed megarange 13 to 34 tooth, 7 speed close ratio 14 to 24 tooth, and 7 speed megarange 11 to 34 tooth.
.