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The freehub body standard matters as much as the tooth range

The best bike cassettes and sprockets for 2026

Two numbers describe a cassette and both have to match: the speed count and the tooth range, written as 11-32T for a cassette running from an 11-tooth smallest sprocket to a 32-tooth largest. A third specification is invisible in most listings and stops the fit entirely — the freehub body the cassette slides onto, which differs between manufacturers and generations. We compare all three, plus whether the rear derailleur can wrap the largest sprocket you are considering.

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What we recommend

  1. Shimano CS-HG200 8-speed cassette showing its sprocket stack

    SHIMANO CS-HG200 cassette, 8-speed, 12–32T

    The entry cassette here: Shimano's CS-HG200 in 8-speed with a 12 to 32 tooth range, for Shimano 8-speed drivetrains.

    Speed
    8-speed
    Tooth range
    12–32T
    Compatibility
    Shimano 8-speed drivetrains
    Amazon reference
    DE B097278T63 · US B00NZ4F5IK · GB B00NZ4F5IK · FR B00NZ4F5IK · IT B00NZ4F5IK · ES B00NZ4F5IK
    EAN
    4524667602361
    • The manufacturer's own part for its own 8-speed drivetrains, so nothing is left to interpretation
    • A 32-tooth largest sprocket, which is a genuinely useful climbing gear on a city or trekking bike
    • A 12-tooth smallest sprocket rather than 11, so slightly less top-end speed

    Best for: Replacing a worn 8-speed cassette on a city, trekking or older mountain bike.

    ≈ $23
    Check price on Amazon
  2. Shimano HG51 silver 8-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO HG51, 8-speed, 11–28T

    A Shimano HG51 8-speed cassette in 11-28T, in chrome-plated steel with drilled cogs.

    Speeds
    8
    Range
    11–28T — a 2.55× spread
    Finish
    Chrome-plated steel, per the description
    Cogs
    Drilled to save weight
    Group
    Alivio
    Price
    $24 — the cheapest here
    Listing bullets
    One: "8-Speed"
    Weight
    Not published
    Cog tooth list
    Not published
    Lock ring
    Not published
    Freehub body
    Not stated
    Amazon reference
    B005DTWRUE
    EAN
    0689228675698
    • The cheapest cassette on this page, at $24
    • Plated steel rather than bare, per the description
    • One bullet on the whole listing, reading "8-Speed"

    Best for: A flat 8-speed commute, or a derailleur that cannot take a 32

    Check price on Amazon
  3. KTKEET 10-speed cassette with its sprocket stack visible

    KTKEET 10-speed cassette, 11–32T

    A 10-speed steel cassette in an 11 to 32 tooth ratio, part of a family running from 11-30T to 11-50T on the same HG interface.

    Speed
    10-speed
    Tooth range
    11–32T (family covers 11-30T to 11-50T)
    Ratios
    11-13-15-17-19-21-23-25-28-32T
    Weight
    356 g (12.6 oz)
    Interface
    High-precision HG internal thread
    Amazon reference
    B0DGLR5Y7D (identical on 6 markets)
    EAN
    0769124083176
    • The full sprocket sequence is published, not just the two end figures
    • A published weight, which cassettes rarely state
    • Rank 10,879, well behind the Shimano in this hub

    Best for: Changing the ratio on a 10-speed drivetrain rather than simply replacing a worn cassette.

    ≈ $33
    Check price on Amazon
  4. Shimano CS-HG51 8-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO CS-HG51, 8-speed, 11–32T, 300 g (10.6 oz)

    A Shimano CS-HG51 8-speed cassette in 11-32T at 300 g (10.6 oz), with nickel-plated Hyperglide sprockets.

    Speeds
    8
    Range
    11–32T — a 2.91× spread
    Cogs
    11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32
    Weight
    300 g (10.6 oz)
    Finish
    Nickel plated; the description says chrome-plated steel
    Technology
    Hyperglide, with contoured shift gates
    Group
    Alivio, per the description
    Chain
    Narrow 8-speed HG
    Identical twin
    CS-HG50 on this page, same bullets, $30.50
    Freehub body
    Not stated
    Lock ring
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B005OCL43Q
    EAN
    4032191471303
    • $5.24 cheaper than a cassette with the same published specification
    • Publishes its cog-by-cog tooth list
    • Nothing published distinguishes it from the dearer CS-HG50

    Best for: An 8-speed hybrid or mountain bike needing a 32-tooth climbing gear

    Check price on Amazon
  5. KMC 10-speed wide range cassette in black

    KMC Cassette, 10-speed, 11–42T, steel

    A wide-range 10-speed steel cassette from 11 to 42 teeth, from a manufacturer better known for its chains.

    Speed
    10-speed
    Tooth range
    11–42T
    Material
    Steel
    Amazon reference
    B0CDQCTBNL (identical on 6 markets)
    EAN
    4715575885100
    • A 42-tooth largest sprocket, which is a substantially easier climbing gear than a 32
    • From KMC, a specialist drivetrain manufacturer
    • Forty-two teeth exceeds many standard rear derailleurs' published maximum

    Best for: Adding a genuinely low climbing gear to a 10-speed bike, where the derailleur can take it.

    ≈ $73
    Check price on Amazon
  6. Shimano CS-HG50 silver 8-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO CS-HG50, 8-speed, 11–32T, 300 g (10.6 oz)

    A Shimano CS-HG50 8-speed cassette in 11-32T at 300 g (10.6 oz), with a corrosion-resistant steel lock ring named in its description.

    Speeds
    8
    Range
    11–32T
    Weight
    300 g (10.6 oz)
    Lock ring
    Corrosion-resistant steel — named in the description
    Chain
    Narrow 8-speed HG
    Finish
    Nickel plated, silver
    Technology
    Hyperglide, contoured shift gates, cut-away sprockets
    Identical twin
    CS-HG51 on this page, same bullets, $25.26
    Cog tooth list
    Not published
    Freehub body
    Not stated
    Amazon reference
    B00D9LFQ4M
    EAN
    4524667103189
    • Names its lock ring and its chain standard, which the cheaper twin does not
    • Hyperglide shift gates for shifting under load
    • $5.24 more than the CS-HG51, with the same five bullets

    Best for: An 8-speed bike where the lock ring has to come in the box

    Check price on Amazon
  7. Shimano CS-HG500-10 silver 10-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO CS-HG500-10, 10-speed, 12–28T, 300 g (10.6 oz)

    A close-ratio 10-speed cassette, 12-28T at 300 g (10.6 oz), with five single-tooth steps for fine cadence control.

    Speeds
    10
    Range
    12–28T — a 2.33× spread, the narrowest here
    Cogs
    12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28
    Single-tooth steps
    Five
    Weight
    300 g (10.6 oz)
    Construction
    Light weight spider
    Standard
    DYNA-SYS
    Group
    Deore M6000, per the description
    Freehub body
    Not stated
    Lock ring
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B00WLFTBFW
    EAN
    4524667328193
    • Five single-tooth steps — the finest cadence control on this page
    • A published cog-by-cog tooth list
    • Nothing below 28 teeth, the narrowest spread here

    Best for: A 10-speed road or trekking bike on rolling ground, ridden at a steady cadence

    Check price on Amazon
  8. Shimano XT CS-M771 silver 10-speed bicycle cassette

    SHIMANO XT CS-M771, 10-speed, 11–32T, 285 g (10.1 oz)

    Shimano’s XT 10-speed cassette, 11-32T at 285 g (10.1 oz), built on two aluminum carriers with an alloy lock ring.

    Speeds
    10
    Range
    11–32T
    Cogs
    11-12-14-16-18-20-22-25-28-32
    Weight
    285 g (10.1 oz) — the lightest cassette here
    Construction
    6 rings on a spider, 3+3
    Lock ring
    Alloy
    Freehub body
    Shimano 9/10 and SRAM
    Chain
    Dyna-Sys, HG-X profile
    Derailleur
    Optimized for Shadow
    Use
    Mountain
    Shimano model
    CS-M771 (CS4122 is a distributor code)
    Ratio spread
    Not published (11–32 is 2.91×)
    Amazon reference
    B003EB05FM
    EAN
    0689228428652
    • The only listing here to publish its freehub body standard
    • 285 g (10.1 oz) with the widest 10-speed range on this page
    • $59 — only the 12-speed 105 is dearer here

    Best for: A 10-speed mountain bike on a Shimano 9/10 or SRAM freehub, wanting a 32 for climbing

    Check price on Amazon
  9. Shimano 105 CS-R7101 silver 12-speed road cassette

    SHIMANO 105 CS-R7101, 12-speed, 11–34T

    Shimano’s 105 12-speed cassette in 11-34T, the widest range on this page, for an 11 or 12-speed freehub body.

    Speeds
    12
    Range
    11–34T — a 3.09× spread
    Weight
    361 g (12.7 oz) stated; 499 g (17.6 oz) on the shipping record
    Chain
    HG 12-speed
    Freehub body
    11 or 12-speed
    Group
    Built for 105 Di2
    Finish
    Silver
    Price
    $79.95 — the most expensive here
    Cog tooth list
    Not published
    Construction
    Not published
    Lock ring
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B0CKXQTXF7
    EAN
    0192790822662
    • The widest range on this page, 11-34, and the only 12-speed
    • Twelve sprockets keep the steps small across a 3.09× spread
    • Publishes 361 g (12.7 oz) in its text and 499 g (17.6 oz) on its shipping record

    Best for: A 12-speed Shimano road drivetrain wanting a 34-tooth climbing gear

    Check price on Amazon

For which need, in cassettes and sprockets

Matching your drivetrain

The cassette's number of speeds has to be exactly that of the derailleur and the shifter. It is a compatibility, not a preference.

KMC Cassette 10-speed 11-42T

A simple drivetrain

Fewer speeds means thicker sprockets, more durable and less sensitive to adjustment. It is a deliberate choice on a utility bike.

SHIMANO Rnry-HG200-8

For whom, within cassettes and sprockets

Hilly terrain
One extra large sprocket changes everything on a climb. It is the criterion that matters most to most cyclists.
Flat terrain
Close ratios let you stay at the ideal cadence. Big jumps between sprockets are felt on the flat.
Teeth hooked by the chain
A worn cassette makes a new chain skip. It is changed with the chain when the chain has passed its threshold.

What each advantage costs, on cassettes and sprockets

Range against ratio spacing
A wide-range cassette offers a very low gear for climbing and opens up the gaps between sprockets. You cannot have both.
Number of speeds against sturdiness
The more sprockets, the narrower the chain and the more sensitive the whole to adjustment. A drivetrain with fewer speeds forgives more.
Weight against life
Light cassettes use materials that wear faster. In daily use, steel lasts markedly longer.

Before buying cassettes and sprockets

Can I fit a cassette with a different number of speeds?

No: sprocket spacing has to match the shifter and the derailleur. It is a strict compatibility.

Will the derailleur take any large sprocket?

Every derailleur has a stated maximum capacity. Beyond it, the cage can no longer take up the chain properly.

Should the cassette be changed with the chain?

If the chain has passed its wear threshold, yes: a new chain skips on hollowed sprockets. Changed in time, a cassette lasts several chains.

How do I know a cassette is worn?

The teeth take on a wave shape and a new chain skips under load. That is the most reliable test.

Is the freehub body compatible?

Several body standards coexist. The cassette has to match the wheel's body, not only the derailleur.

What tool do I need?

A chain whip and a lockring tool matching the type of lockring. Without the whip, the cassette turns in the undoing direction.

Should the freehub body be greased?

A film of grease on the splines prevents seizing and makes the next removal easier. It is often neglected.

Can a bigger sprocket go on with no other change?

The rear derailleur has a maximum sprocket capacity, stated by the maker. Beyond it the cage hits the sprocket, and a long hanger or another derailleur is needed.

What to remember about cassettes and sprockets

The number of speeds and the freehub body type are two strict compatibilities, independent of one another. Range and ratio spacing pull against each other — you cannot have both — and a new chain skips on a worn cassette.

A quick look at cassettes and sprockets

  • Range: 11 to 12 –28T — a 2.33× spread, on 6 of the 9 models.
  • Speeds: 8 to 12, on 6 of the 9 models.
  • Weight: 285 to 361, on 6 of the 9 models.

Cassettes and sprockets, side by side

There is no table here, and the reason is in the listings. The figure published most often across these 9 products is range, given by 6 of them — short of the four in five a column needs to compare rather than to display gaps. Each product page says what its own maker published.

Sources and how we rank

Specifications: manufacturer sheets for bike gear and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa.

Most recent revision in this category: October 6, 2026.

How we assess cassettes and sprockets

Prices quoted in these summaries are dated readings. The live price is shown next to each product.