Harris Custom Century Special 13-30 9-speed Cassette
13 - 14 - 15 - 17 - 19 - 21 - 24 - 27 - 30t
305 grams.
This is a Harris Cyclery exclusive, designed by Sheldon Brown, using Shimano sprockets.
This is intended to provide nice low gears and still preserve reasonably close spacing in the cruising range, without wasting gears by devoting space to ludicrously high gears. This is intended to be a good match for bikes with traditional "full sized" chainrings.
It is generally good practice to replace the chain when you replace the cassette.
I recently moved to an area with A LOT of hills. Even my short local commute was tough because of all the climbing I had to do on the way home. I considered a compact 10 speed crank and BB, but saw this and thought I would try it. I am very glad I did! On my very first ride, I could feel the difference. I have a full Ultegra 9 speed group, with a 53/39 chainring, and this was bolt-on. Very little derailer adjustment needed. I did NOT need to replace my B screw with a longer one either. The 30 tooth rear cog may be as big as my derailer can handle, but I could not be happier with the performance.
I also bought the SRAM PC-951 chain recommended by Harris Cyclery, and both products work well together. Definitely worth the price, and a lot cheaper than changing to a compact 10 speed crank and BB.
Now that I have my "Century Special", I a enjoy riding my bike again. Thank you, Sheldon Brown. Your work continues to help cyclists like me.
Gift:
No
Aug
31
2010
5.0
Fear no hill
By JTP
from Kitsap County, WA
About Me Avid Cyclist
Pros
Easy To Install
Cons
Best Uses
Road Biking
Comments:
I love to explore the less traveled side roads and around here that often means 10%-15% grades. This cassette allows me to keep a decent cadence on all but the steepest sections which is important for my 50 year old knees!
Gift:
No
Jun
08
2010
4.0
Conquering Bridges
By Fred
from Phila Pa
About Me Casual/ Recreational
Pros
Lightweight
Easy To Install
Cons
Best Uses
Upgrade
Road Biking
Comments:
Thanks, I do the ms150 city to shore from Cherry Hill NJ to Ocean City NJ, at the last leg their are 2 killer bridges with steep inclines. This new gearing helps this old man get to the finish.
Gift:
No
Aug
24
2008
5.0
Saved my butt....
By Maurizio
from Schenectady, NY
About Me Avid Cyclist
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Road Biking
Comments:
Being able to squeeze this 30-tooth cog on my bike with my standard Ultegra derailleur was enough to (barely) get me over Lincoln Gap (20% to 24% grades) in central VT. I don't have the option at the moment of switching from my standard 39x53 to a compact or triple, but this gave me enough gear inches to weave my way over that monster.
Gift:
No
Aug
22
2007
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
No need to trade your bike for a triple
By ex-Hill Slug
from Redmond, WA
About Me Avid Cyclist
Pros
Inexpensive
Easy To Install
Cons
Best Uses
Road Biking
Comments:
This cluster saved me a ton of dough. I was having a heck of a time on all the hills in the area - couldn't keep up to all my frinds on their triples. "Keep riding, you'll get stronger" they kept telling me. (Sure, but not younger.) "Upgrade to a triple (ka-ching, we can help you with that)" the bike shops kept telling me.
I knew Campy offered a hill cluster so I had hope - and found it! Thank you Sheldon Brown!
Gift:
No
Apr
16
2007
(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Best Gearing
By Spinner
from Watertown, ma
About Me Avid Cyclist
Pros
Durable
Versatile
Cons
Heavy
Best Uses
Road Biking
Comments:
I really love the gearing of this cassete. I find that i can spin up hills in a 42-30 and pass other riders on there uber light weight bikes. This cassette is not made with competition in mind, but it sure works in that arena as well. I find all the gears to be much more useful. I can't reccomend this product enouph..
