[AJW80]

I recently upgraded the stock PR2 wheels on my Giant TCR advanced. fulcrum racing db 4s.  At the same time I fitted a new 11 speed cassete. 

I took my bike to my local repair shop to get my front shifter looked at and the mechanic noted that I had a spacer missing on the cassette which needed to be fitted.  It was my understanding that 11 speed cassettes did not require a spacer when fitted to the latest hubs and that they are only required for 10/9 speed cassettes, so was suprised by this, however this may explain the rattling noises I hear when riding over rougher road surfaces.

 Are fulcrum and some other manufacturers hubs an exception to this rule of thumb?

Any explinations would be welcome 

Topic

[stuartcoupe]

I have some racing DBs and

I have some racing DBs and they need a spacer for an 11 speed shimano casette! The cassette rattled and it was obvious something was wrong before I even got it on the bike.

[fukawitribe]

Cheers – if it’s really one

Cheers – if it’s really one of those and not the non-series 11-34 then would still expect no spacer required due to the free-hub. Weird.

[AJW80]

Shimano Ultegra R8000 11

Shimano Ultegra R8000 11 Speed Road Cassette

[fukawitribe]

Quick one, what was the

Quick one, what was the cassette ?

[AJW80]

According to the mechanic

According to the mechanic this hub required a spacer, most probably because they are now built with 12 speed cassettes in mind as well.  Anyhow, the rattling has now stopped and I can enjoy a quieter ride.

[mtbtomo]

Assuming Shimano 11 speed and
Assuming Shimano 11 speed and an 11speed freehub then no spacer needed.

If the cassette is loose or causing a rattle, then you would be able to wobble the cogs side to side slightly when stationary. Also, your gear shifting would likely be inconsistent like others have said, with mis-shifts and skipping between cogs. Is your chain too long causing too much chain slap? Or something else is loose. It’s not a cassette needing a spacer behind it, that’s for sure

[Dingaling]

I spec’d a gravel bike last

I spec’d a gravel bike last year with SRAM red 11 speed. After using it for a few weeks I took the cassette off to clean it and found that the bike builder had put a 1mm spacer behind the cassette. I have know idea how he forced the lockring on because I couldn’t get the thread started. Consequently, I checked SRAM’s technical specs and they clearly state that a spacer is not required.

The overall picture though is more complicated eg. road, mtb, 7,8,9,10,11,12 speed! I used SRAM’s “Cassette and Driver Body Compatibility” doc/table.

My Campag 9 and 11 speed cassettes fitted on the same hub without a spacer.

My 9 speed Shimano cassettes (mtb) don’t have spacers and nor does my daughter’s 11 speed Ultegra cassette on a Giant PR2 wheel.

 

[fukawitribe]

Generally 11-speed road

Generally 11-speed road cassette wouldn’t need a spacer, as you say. Some of the wider range 11-speed cassettes do however, e.g. Shimano HG-800 11-34 (listed on the box as road and MTB cassettes in that case) and conversely will fit an old 10-speed freehub – so it depends.

[bobbinogs]

My 10 Bob’s worth is that you
My 10 Bob’s worth is that you are correct in that there is no missing spacer. 11 speed hubs don’t need a spacer for 11 speed but do need a spacer for 9/10. I have 9, 10 & 11 speed setups and this rule of thumb works on all of them. 12 speed uses the same width as 11, just smaller gaps and a narrower chain.
A missing spacer would leave a cassette with minor wobble resulting in mis-shifts and running noise, not really just rattling over rough ground. I would check the wheel and see if there is excessive movement across the axle, if not then your rattle lies elsewhere.

[Author]

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