Sub - 6.8 kg Achieved, Then Lost

[Zhu Tou]

I managed 6.795 kg (and that's with approx. 70 g of RideWrap), largely with the help of a 140 g cassette from ZTTO (SLR Gen 3). I purchased it from ZTTO's AE store, after it told me that the Gen 3 was engineered to have smoother shifting over the Gen 2.

The cassette was stupid light, but my shifting became absolute garbage (Ultegra R8000 groupset with KMC chain). I and two other bike shops continually adjusted the derailleurs and shift cable tension, but it continued to skip gears, not get into the highest/lowest cog, and announce to at least one street block that I was riding by.

I switched back to the Ultegra cassette and the calm after the storm was life-changing. Before I give up on aftermarket cassettes altogether, I thought I'd get your feedback on any positive experience you've had with particular makes/models of lightweight cassettes.

On another note, I'm swearing off ZTTO forever. Besides this cassette, I had purchased some handlebar tape that quickly disintegrated after a mere 2,000 km of fair weather (all sun; no rain) riding.

[jonathanf2]

I managed 6.795 kg (and that's with approx. 70 g of RideWrap), largely with the help of a 140 g cassette from ZTTO (SLR Gen 3). I purchased it from ZTTO's AE store, after it told me that the Gen 3 was engineered to have smoother shifting over the Gen 2.

The cassette was stupid light, but my shifting became absolute garbage (Ultegra R8000 groupset with KMC chain). I and two other bike shops continually adjusted the derailleurs and shift cable tension, but it continued to skip gears, not get into the highest/lowest cog, and announce to at least one street block that I was riding by.

I switched back to the Ultegra cassette and the calm after the storm was life-changing. Before I give up on aftermarket cassettes altogether, I thought I'd get your feedback on any positive experience you've had with particular makes/models of lightweight cassettes.

On another note, I'm swearing off ZTTO forever. Besides this cassette, I had purchased some handlebar tape that quickly disintegrated after a mere 2,000 km of fair weather (all sun; no rain) riding.

I'm guessing you were using the mixed alloy/steel ZTTO cassettes? I wouldn't touch those if you do any climbing. Those alloy cogs will wear easily. I much prefer the extra weight of an all-steel cassette. The Goldix/ZTTO steel ones are decent, but shift best using electronic groupsets with gear fine tuning and aftermarket chains.

[Zhu Tou]

I'm guessing you were using the mixed alloy/steel ZTTO cassettes? I wouldn't touch those if you do any climbing. Those alloy cogs will wear easily. I much prefer the extra weight of an all-steel cassette. The Goldix/ZTTO steel ones are decent, but shift best using electronic groupsets with gear fine tuning and aftermarket chains.

Yes; it was a mixed steel/alloy cassette. Despite knowing that the alloy cogs would wear very quickly, I needed to settle my illogical pursuit of being "UCI illegal".

It's good to know that the all-steel models are decent. I'll explore that route when I eventually move to electronic shifting.

[Jouke]

Nice build! What frameset is that?
You could look at the goldix casettes; all steel

[Da11as]

1. Sroad (now Spedao) 11 sp steel monoblock casette 11-25 with Sram Red 22 mechanical and Shimano Ultegra mechanical - no issues, shifting is indistinguishable from the genuine Sram cassette, original lockring is poor quality, better use old one.
2. Spedao steel 11 sp monoblock casette 11-34 with Sram Rival/Force 1x11 mix - shifting is indistinguishable from the genuine Sram cassette, lock ring is fine, may develop clicking noise due to cog rivets loosening (if riding under heavy force and torque), does not affect shifting.
3. ZTTO SLR 12 sp monoblock casette 11-34 with FrankenSram 1x12 (Sram RD + Shimano compatible chain+chainring) - no issues, shifting is good but a bit noisy on the biggest cog.
4. ZTTO Ultimate 12 sp monoblock casette 11-32 with Shimano Di2 - to be tested.

[Zhu Tou]

Nice build! What frameset is that?
You could look at the goldix casettes; all steel

Thanks! Nothing special - it's a Canyon Endurace CF frameset.