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Despite the heavy overcast I persevered with photographing the 11 sp Ultegra cassette. The corrugated cardboard provides a neutral background. Using a darker or lighter background will usually confuse a camera's light measuring ability. Once fitted, it is difficult to capture the fine detail of this sophisticated unit.
Face on view and the sprocket sizes [tooth count] are all clearly stamped on each sprocket. As is 11s. The asymmetric perforations and wildly different tooth forms are interesting.
The tooth forms are different between the sprockets themselves and even around the circumference of each sprocket. Presumably the complex ramps are an effort to speed gear changing under load.
It is difficult to measure easily but I made the 11 speed Ultegra 40mm in depth. While the 10 speed is 38mm across the sprockets. The lockrings add a little extra.
The overall width of the 11sp cassette is supposedly too much for many/most 10 speed, bicycle freehubs.
Rear view. The carriers may be slightly askew relative to each other as they have not been located on the freehub splines.
The main carrier is non-magnetic and likely to be a light [aluminium] alloy. The smaller carrier looks rather like some sort of engineering plastic. Marked PA-CF suggests poly-amide carbon fibre reinforced.
The sprocket cutaways are quite considerable. No doubt adding to the overall lightness of the cassette.
Oblique, rear view to show the two carriers and cutaway to the larger sprockets.
The square alloy pipe is just to prop the cassette on edge for photography. It is fitted into the plastic, decorative hub designed to keep everything together in the packaging.
11 speed Ultegra chain and box including joining pin. The HG-X compatible [road and MTB] CN-HG700-11 chain replaces the 6800. The links are coated with SIL-TEC inside and out for long life and low friction. Supplied already wet with oil, Shimano emphasises regular lubrication.
Interestingly, there are no instruction included in either package. The supplied multi-language sheets refer the buyer to their cycle shop supplier or a skilled cycle mechanic. Though there is reference to an online fitting manual for competent and professional bike mechanics the lack of a printed version does Shimano no real favours IMO.
What if the buyer has no access to the internet or is off the grid after purchase? A lot of equipment is bought online these days. With little chance of useful advice from some box shifting dealers. There may even be language problems when buying internationally online.
A couple of large and simple drawings is all that is required to ensure the correct chain length, fitted the correct way round and the correct fitting of the chain joining pin from the correct side using the correct tools. Perhaps Shimano are fed up with paying compensation to knuckle-dragging incompetents? Those who expect to be subsidised for their lifelong, drooling idiocy by a sympathetic jury and silver-tongued ambulance chaser.
Direct links to Shimano's PDF documents below:
Cassette details: http://si.shimano.com/php/download.php?file=pdf/dm/DM-CS0004-03-ENG.pdf
Chain fitting: http://si.shimano.com/php/download.php?file=pdf/dm/DM-CN0001-02-A-ENG.pdf
Click on any image for an enlargement.
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