Upgrading 11-36 to 11-42 on a 10 speed Xt

[Johnny 55]

Good day,

I need some advice please. If I replace my current 11-36 casette with a 11-42 on a Xt 10 speed deraileur, will it shift smoothly or should I rather just change to 11 speed. Ive got a 34t ring on the front. Thanks.

[Thermophage]

Basically...yes, almost certainly. But you will likely need to lengthen your chain...i.e. replace.

[Johnny 55]

Thanks thermophage, I thought so but the bike shop said otherwise. I think I will just replace the casette and chain then. Thanks.

[Tjommie]

I have the same setup

32 with 11-42 10SP

 

Works 100%

 

I replaced cassette + chain when I did conversion

[droo]

Rather go Sunrace 11-40. Shifting won't be as good as an 11sp setup, but works well enough to justify the saving.

[brad890]

Just done the conversion that your talking about with a shimano HG500 cassette 11-42. Xt shadow rd.

 

Shifting is fine. Just need to set the B screw all the way in to get into biggest cog

[Johnny 55]

thanks droo & brad. I think the shop wanted me to upgrade everything, thats why they said it doesnt work so good. thanks again.

[Headshot]

thanks droo & brad. I think the shop wanted me to upgrade everything, thats why they said it doesnt work so good. thanks again.

That may well be... sad that you can't trust advice from a bike shop.

 

I have an XT medium cage rear derailleur running an 11-42 Sunrace Cassette and a 34 tooth Rapide ring up front. I have never dropped a chain on this set up ( previously with a long cage XT I did) It shifts pretty much as well as any XT drive train should and holds its settings.

You do have to use a longer B tension screw with this set up of course. 

 

The only issue I had was a mildly bent 42 tooth after abusing the drive train. A quick trail side fix and its been perfect ever since.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I can also attest to an SLX medium cage 10sp rd working with an 11-42 cassette without an issue. Shifting was good, no problems at all. Just need to ensure that your B screw is properly adjusted (may need a longer one, I didn't) and that your chain is the right length for your application. 

 

Get the SUNRACE cassette. Cheap, cheerful and with better gear spacing than the shimano. It's also good quality. 

[Johnny 55]

Cool, thanks everyone, i was looking to get the sunrace casette.

[wildwindfr]

I van also confirm that it works. Did the Mooketsi MTB race with a sunrace 11-42 cassette and 34 T Rapide oval ring. Changed the chainring this weekend to a 32T oval,also rapide, as I am doing the Magoebaskloof 80km this weekend and will be needing the gearing for the climbs. Enjoy the setup!

[arendoog]

Good day,

I need some advice please. If I replace my current 11-36 casette with a 11-42 on a Xt 10 speed deraileur, will it shift smoothly or should I rather just change to 11 speed. Ive got a 34t ring on the front. Thanks.

I have done this with no problems .You might like to add a spacer to the crank to get the chain position better .Also used sunrace 11 x 42 cassette

[Balooba]

I have a 42 wolftooth on the 10 speed XT cassette. I was fortunate to get myself the goat link that sorted my shifting problem out without fiddling with the b-screw.

[Pusher]

Just done the conversion that your talking about with a shimano HG500 cassette 11-42. Xt shadow rd.

 

Shifting is fine. Just need to set the B screw all the way in to get into biggest cog

Could you go 11-42 with a 2x10 set up?

[brad890]

Could you go 11-42 with a 2x10 set up?

 

I think you should get away with it.

 

Still using same chain length from the 2x that I converted from. (32t front ring, old was 36/24)

 

Would definitely need a long cage derailer though. Large ring large cog is where you might run into a problem.

 

Why you wanting to use such a big range with the 2x? the jump between the smaller cogs is bigger than the 11-32/36

[brad890]

I'd take a look here and do some maths before changing.

 

http://www.bikecalc.com/speed_at_cadence

 

I'd say the 11-42 is good for 1x and 11-36 is better for the 2x system as the change in teeth is smaller between cogs 10 to 7. Thats my experience so far, others may feel differently