Shimano XT CS-M771-10 Speed Cassette

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I made the switch to 10 speed a little over a year ago ( I know a bit behind) and purchased the XT cassette for a couple of reasons; fits on 9 speed hubs, light weight, and is upgradeble with extender cogs. Installing the cassette was quick and easy and only required a chain whip and the correct cassette removal tool. I will say though, be careful when taking the cassette out of the packaging for the first time. Being that the cassette disassembles it is easy to get different cogs and spacers out of order if you are not careful.

Being disassembled you can see how the cassette comes apart into many pieces, but these many pieces make the cassette easy to upgrade with extender cogs from OneUp and Wolf Tooth. Being able to upgrade the cassette brings up one of the downsides of the cassette, the highest cog is 36 teeth. While 36 teeth can get you up most of the time, on a 1x setup I have found it 's still not enough on longer and steeper climbs.

Overall I have been very impressed and the cassette has worn great! It shifts as smoothly today as it did brand new. If you are are upgrading to 10 speed or replacing a 10 speed cassette I would highly recommend this one. Not to mention you can pick one of these up for a little over $40 most places.

Though it has been out for a few years, Shimano's 11-36 cassette is a game changer for those who are looking to minimize the front chainring set-up. The extra spread in gears allows mere mortals like myself to power up climbs and still bomb the downs with just a single ring in front.

Shimano drivetrain parts usually means durability and quality, and this is no exceptionafter a couple of years of abuse. Hopefully this trend continues and we'll see a range like 10-38 teeth take hold in the mainstream offerings from the big drivetrain players.