How to Install a 10-Speed Cassette

Multi-geared bicycles are often fitted with a device called a "cassette." The cassette is installed onto the freehub body, located on the right -- or drive-side -- of the rear bicycle wheel. Each cassette contains numerous sprockets, with each sprocket representing a particular gear. A 10-speed cassette contains 10 such sprockets. Properly installing your 10-speed cassette ensures smooth gear shifting performance.

Things You'll Need

  • Cassette locking ring tool
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Waterproof bicycle grease
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Lay your rear bicycle wheel flat so that the freehub body is face up. The freehub body is shaped like a cylinder and contains a pattern of splines along its side.

    • 2

      Look at your 10-speed cassette for a moment. Arranged properly, the 10 sprockets form a sort of pyramid, with the largest sprocket on the bottom and the smallest sprocket on the top. Some cassettes contain sprockets that are already conjoined. In this instance, the job of arranging the sprockets has been done for you.

    • 3

      Lift all 10 sprockets that form the cassette and orient them over the freehub body. The spline pattern on the freehub body must conform to the spline pattern along the inside of the sprockets. Each spline is a different size. Look for the largest spline on the freehub body and the sprockets, and align the two. Without the splines properly aligned the cassette cannot be installed.

    • 4

      Lower the 10-speed cassette onto the freehub body. Grab the locking ring included with the cassette.

    • 5

      Apply waterproof bicycle grease to the threads around the inside of the locking ring.

    • 6

      Fit the locking ring into the center of the cassette, and turn it clockwise by hand into the cassette to tighten. Tighten by hand as much as possible to prevent cross-threading.

    • 7

      Fit the proper locking ring tool into the center of the locking ring. This tool is designed to fit your particular brand of cassette locking ring. There is no tool that works universally for all cassettes, so if a cassette locking ring tool has not yet been purchased, be sure it is compatible with your brand of cassette.

    • 8

      Use an adjustable wrench, fitted onto the flat portions around the locking ring tool, and turn the tool clockwise to tighten the locking ring. Remove the tool once the locking ring is tight.