Wolf Tooth GC 42 Cassette Cog - Review

Mar 17, 2015 at 0:11
by Richard Cunningham  

Pinkbike Product Picks

Wolf Tooth Components GC 42 cog 2015


Wolf Tooth Components hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a small group of cycling enthusiasts crank out a number of very useful items. Their CG 42 cog was one of the first 42-tooth ten-speed conversion sprockets to hit the market and now they have backed it up with a 16-tooth replacement cassette cog to smooth the slightly awkward step between shifts which is created when the user removes the stock 17t cog to make room for the addition of the big, aluminum 42. The GC 42 cog is CNC-machined from aluminum and color-anodized. Wolf Tooth makes separate cogs for SRAM and Shimano ten-speed cassettes to ensure an exact fit and that the shifting ramps line up perfectly. The cogs fit mid-level 11 x 36 ten-speed Shimano and SRAM cassettes with loose cogs below the 19t. Compatible rear derailleurs and cassettes can be found here. Wolf Tooth sells the GC 42 cog for $89.95 and the 40-tooth version for $84.95. Colors are black, red, blue, silver or green. We suggest that you also purchase the steel 16-tooth cog to smooth out the gap caused by the removal of the 17. The 16t runs an additional $14.95. Wolf Tooth Components


Wolf Tooth Components 16t cog 2015
The addition of Wolf Tooth Components' 16-tooth cassette cog is not a must, but it finishes the job and shifts with more even steps between the 19 and 13-tooth sprockets. We'd recommend it.


Pinkbike's Take:
bigquotesIf "made in the USA" means anything to you, Wolf Tooth Components are just that - locally sourced and beautifully machined. We used the SRAM cassette conversion kit, including the 16t, which generated a smoothly stepped gear selection that looks like this: 11-13-16-19-21-24-28-36-42. We tried it on a Shimano Deore XT Shadow Plus long-cage rear mech, as well as a SRAM X9 type 2 rear derailleur. To get the upper pulley of either changer to clear the larger cog, the B-tension limit screw must be turned in most of the way. The SRAM changer shifted the gears with a tiny bit of complaining, while the Shimano didn't seem to notice that it was being asked to do the improbable. Wolf Tooth just released the "Goat Link" which replaces the follower link of the Shimano Shadow Plus rear derailleur to add more room for the upper pulley and to return the proper amount of chain overlap to the system. We did not use a Goat Link, but it makes sense. The shifting ramps that Wolf Tooth developed for the GC 42 take some time to break in, after which, they produce quick, reliable (albeit, slightly less than OEM-crisp) shifts. Considering the options, however, the Wolf Tooth conversion is a big win for anyone who has a ten-speed drivetrain and is lusting after a wide-range transmission for around a hundred bucks. - RC


Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

185 Comments
  • 85 0
 When are sram or shimano gonna realise theres a call for this and start producing 11 - 40/42 10spd cassettes? Especially as the big cog should outlast a cassette or two, but the 16t won't. Either that or someone should start selling 16t cogs on their own.
  • 11 1
 This.
  • 21 4
 How would they sell any £1000 11 speed drivetrains then? I for one dont want an extra gear, i was fine with 9, but the added range makes uphills easier. Atleast we have options
  • 9 1
 Because x01 has a 10t bottom? And they wont sell any less, because now people are just buying a different companies expander cog instead of 11spd. Maybe if they did 11-40 for 10spd and kept 10-42 the reserve of 11spd.
  • 17 0
 I think someone already does sell the 16T alone.

Edit: Yup, just checked. Wolftooth and Oneup both sell just the 16T. tup
  • 13 0
 Both Wolftooth and Oneup sell the 16t cog on its own. Who cares if Shimano or Sram do this for their 10sp drivetrains, when you have quality aftermarket parts to convert to? They won't do it for the same reason that neither will put a clutch on their 9sp derailleurs.
  • 3 0
 Shimano won't do it. They will slowly trickle down 11spd to the full lineup. Hopefully they will at least add an 11-42 to the 11spd stuff.
  • 21 2
 The next step Shimano and Sram will probably take will be to change their 10-speed cluster manufacturing process to make them wholly incompatible with 42-tooth conversions. Wouldn't be surprised if they did it.
  • 9 0
 I care? Because atm im looking at nearly 100 quid for an 11-42 cassette. Even if it was 50 - 60 quid, id buy one tonight. Aftermarket is all good but it costs mor, And having to replace 2 of my 10 gears is a little annoying as ive just paid good money for them.
  • 8 0
 Pretty sure I read somewhere that Praxis are working on an aftermarket 11-42 10spd cassette to be brought out in the near future...
  • 3 0
 And that would be fantastic, ill be the first in line when its announced.
  • 3 1
 Just checked, itll be a 11-40. Still better imo, itll have a smoother spread of gear.
  • 15 0
 You could just buy a 16t cog there for $3.00: www.bike-discount.de/fr/acheter/shimano-sprocket-16-t.-for-cs-m771-bl-162029/wg_id-3 Why do those guys sell theirs for $15???
  • 3 0
 yeah there other options for the 16t like salvaging old cassettes and there is even wide range converters for 8 and 9 speed that dont set you back a huevo www.pinkbike.com/photo/10696427
  • 9 8
 Because Sram and Shimano would have to develop rear derailleurs designed to work in sync/flawless uber crisp shifting, capacity to use a 42T cog. Oh wait they already did. It's sort of like Tubeless conversion kits. You can spend the money and do it right and never worry of your tire ripping off, or you can go ghetto with gorilla tape and tube. That's all this is...the ghetto version of those that feel a need to rock a 42T and not buck the money for an 11 speed drivetrain.
  • 2 0
 @cool3 Part of the reason why One-up & WT made theirs, is the one you linked were out of stock for months, because that's what everyone was doing. same thing with the RADr cage: lots of people like me with ZEE ders were having trouble finding an inner cage plate for their RAD cage.
  • 3 0
 Cheers @esstinkay! I knew I wasn't imaging it!
@inked-up-metalhead totally agree on the smoothness front. Main thing putting me off the idea of a range extender is the uneven jumps. Even with a 16t you've got a couple of 3 tooth gaps between a bunch of 2 tooth gaps, and just knowing that would probably irritate me regardless of whether I could actually feel it.
Hurry up Praxis! We want our wide range cassetes!
  • 5 1
 Exactly. To me an expander cog is a make do solution. The praxis cassette will be the real solution.
  • 2 0
 They make the bulk of their money with their OEM sales. The average mountain biker, to my experience, is not very mechanically inclined so I bet most people would much rather shell out an extra 1000$(?) and go from a X9 to X1 setup on a complete than mess up with the components. Since everybody and their mom is jumping on the 29er/650b bandwagon, most bikers probably decide to do the "2 birds one stone" move. Most shops don't carry the range extenders either so I bet a large portion of the biking world don't even know they exist. They also require to have your hanger and derailleur extremely straight with perfect cable tension, which is a lot to ask from the average user. X1 is probably a LOT more forgiving.

Sram/shimano offering a range extender cog would probably mean that all they would accomplish is undercutting themselves. The volume of range extender cog sales is probably extremely low compared to what they make with bike manufacturers so there is no incensitive for them to come up with a stand alone version of their 42t rings, especially since it means suboptimal shifting and suboptimal shifting for a drivetrain company is unacceptable.
  • 1 0
 Whats weird is that sram sells a 10 speed and an 11 speed force cx1 derailleur, but they can't do that for the mountain bikers with the extra wide range so we dont have to buy the stupid $400+ cassettes and the xd driver body?
  • 1 0
 yea but it doesn't cover a wider range and they haven't come up with 11 speed downhill setup so they have to put out the 10 speed. My argument is that they already have rival, force and red 22 that are all 11 speed so why did they even make the 10 speed force cx1 if they weren't going to do it for the mtn bikers and make a xx1 10 speed
  • 1 0
 The other version of the X01DH, the one for the 7 speed drivetrain/shifter, is 11 speed spaced. www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/sram-x01-dh-7-speed-x-horizon-rear-derailleur
The 10 speed one can "officially" handle a standard 11-36 cassette (there's a medium cage option, even!) So should be fine with any range expander. This is SRAM making 10 speed X01, just not marketing it very loudly because they want you to buy 11 speed.
  • 3 0
 @inked-up-metalhead praxisworks dude. They just released it, check them out.
  • 2 10
flag ian-lemke (Mar 17, 2015 at 20:21) (Below Threshold)
 If you cant get to the top with a 36t in the rear and a 30t in the front you dont deserve it
  • 2 0
 Ok so how about with a 36 front? I cant imagine how slow a 30t would be down a reasonable sized hill.
  • 1 0
 @cool3 Why do those guys sell theirs for $15???

A bit mercenary of them, especially considering OneUp bundle one for "free" with their 42T cog.
  • 18 3
 Hmm. $89.95 for this, plus the 16t at $14.95, or the OneUp version, with 16t and postage included for $90?
  • 23 10
 For me it's worth $15 to keep some jobs in my country.
  • 25 4
 For me, you would think a smart company would price themselves competitively.
  • 6 0
 Hmm do some reading on the one up 16t, then you'll have the answer to your question
  • 8 9
 the difference is small enough to make me wanna buy the 'merican one.
  • 3 0
 the one gear i have trouble shifting into is from 13 to 16t oneup cog. going to try this wolftooth 16t next.
  • 2 0
 @cuban-b you sure you have the 16t in the correct position? Its different for Sram or Shimano...
  • 1 0
 yeah actually i just checked it now. it shifted ok when it was new. now it's a bit off. and i wish i was the only one with this issue.
  • 9 0
 Using (Shimano setup) here: ONE UP 42T cog, ONE UP RADr cage and 16T sprocket from Shimano CS-M771 cassette (Y1YR16000 part number). Shifting very well, without any problems. When using the 16T provided by ONE UP, some little delay occour. Now I've the perfect setup for 1x10.
  • 9 0
 On my 1x10 Oneup conversion with the 16T and Rad cage (which makes Shimano derailleurs work better with the system), I have problems shifting up into the 16T and up out of the 16T, but no problems whatsoever with the 42T or anywhere else on the cassette. If Wolftooth are machining a specific 16T for Sram and Shimano cassettes, this may work better, as Oneup is a one size fits all kind of thing.
  • 6 0
 That's an important thought. Seems like everybody has issues with the One-up 16t being a bit fidgety. I'd love to see them compared.
  • 4 1
 same here. having trouble with the one up 16t cog shifting
  • 2 0
 add me to this list of oneup16t troubles.
  • 1 0
 yep me too. takes like 1 and a half shifts to move ...hello one up ?
  • 2 1
 trying clocking your 16t cog on the free hub body for use with a sram cassette. I feel like oneUP miss marked the cog and the shift ramps are off.
  • 1 0
 Is this issue with mainly Shimano Deraileurs? Have not had any issues with 3 bikes and sram Deraileurs.
  • 1 0
 Shimano for mine, SRAM cassette.
  • 2 0
 I have heard bad things about the OneUp 16t gear. I am on a waiting list for a shimano 16t, but these conversion kits have made them scarce.
  • 1 0
 Indeed, it's why I'm running the one-up.
  • 2 0
 Use the wolftooth instructions with the OneUp cog... The SH and SR on the cog is for shimano and sram cassettes and it is supposed to be installed on the freehub a certain way.
  • 1 0
 Same here I had the same problems running a slx derailer, radr cage, xt casette and oneup 16t, the ramps were off line which ever position i fitted it. I got my self a XT 16t which made the shifting better but the ramps are still not in line if some one knows the best 16t for an XT cassette please let me know
  • 1 0
 No issues here rocking OneUp 42t & 16t with X9 clutch mid cage on a mid level SRAM cassette. No it doesn't feel like XT, but it's been close to trouble free with good shifting (once again not XT level) for almost a year now (16t only recently added).
  • 1 0
 @RMWB - How much left or right do you move the cog from the SR position to make it work well?
  • 1 0
 I think it only fits the two ways.
  • 11 3
 For what it's worth I (and most of my friends,) have fussed around with these and what One Up offers (including Rad Cage) and the One Up stuff trends to work better. I couldn't say why but it always seems easier to dial in the shifting.
  • 9 2
 the only reason i went with the wolftooth 42T is because it comes in silver. that's really the only reason. if the OneUP ring came in silver i'd be all over it. but something about the black or green big ring makes it look cheap and not fully integrated. the silver makes it look seamless like oem. shifts a-ok for me. cant really compare to any other aftermarket big ring since this is the first i've used. no complaints.
  • 3 0
 oven cleaner will strip off the ano Wink
  • 3 0
 greased lightning does an excellent job of stripping off the anodizing and less toxic to deal with, just soak for an hour or so
www.greased-lightning.com
  • 7 2
 or idunno just purchase a silver one
  • 5 4
 @cuban-b you're the one that said you bought it based on color only.. just trying to be helpful.
  • 5 6
 you really really want me to buy a oneup ring instead huh. the ability to strip the anodizing is not a strong selling point for me, that's all. thanks for the help though. i genuinely appreciate it.
  • 2 0
 I use the general lee adaptor, which uses, for sram, three rings and replaces the top part of the cassette, so you dont need the 16t sproket. the three rings on my adaptor are 29, 35 and 42 - been running it now for well over a year and it's on its second cassette that has worn out faster
  • 10 0
 What next? Triple cranksets?
  • 1 0
 LOL! That one is good!
  • 2 0
 Then 26" wheels.....they pop faster!
  • 1 0
 Quad cranksets
  • 1 0
 11x11 groupsets!
  • 5 0
 I have the wolf tooth 42. Shifting up to it with my Shadow plus xt derailleur is good. Shifting down is good. Trouble is you can't back pedal when on the 42 tooth. Tried everything with lining up the drive-train and still it jumps when back pedaling. I have recently added the One-up Radr cage. If you have Shimano, do this! Much crisper shifting throughout the cassette. One up is based out of Squamish with overseas production. Will go with their cog next time and see if I still have the trouble with back pedaling.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for this! I have a wolftooth 42t back pedalling issue as well. What crank setup do you have? I was (until I read this comment) convinced the back pedalling issue was due to chain alignment.

I'm running the 42t with a xt cassette and a double xt crank with a 30t wolftooth chain ring. I'm considering buying a race face turbine crank with direct mount to improve chain alignment.
  • 1 0
 The first bike I tried it on was a Ti hard tail. 26" wheels and short chain stays. started with a 36 tooth chain ring, but the problem was really bad as I had it set up as close to the chain stays as possible. switched to a 32 tooth and was able to bring the chain line in more, but still had problems. Bike shop said it was likely due to the short chain stays causing excessive angle.
So, when I switched the drive line over to my Scott Genius 710, I was a little disappointed to see the problem still existed. Added 2 mm spacers to try and correct the problem, but still have it. Not sure if a switch to One up would help? Oh, also XT cranks. XTR were on the hard tail.
  • 6 2
 I've been using OneUp's 1x10 (with 1x11 range) conversion on my Yeti SB-66 for a while now. I absolutely love it; dropped a ton of weight off the existing triple setup and don't miss the extra gears (granted, for all-day rides, I use my lightweight 2x10 hardtail).

I know there are a lot of arguments about whether or not these conversions work very well, and for sure there will be issues with derailleur limits. The shop I took it to for the work is extremely good and thorough, and they warned me that these conversions don't always work smoothly. They either shift nicely in the middle and have to jump to the ends, or they grind a bit in the middle to get smoothly to the ends. The guys at the shop also believe SRAM drivetrains handle these conversions a bit better, based on their experience.

But in all, it's hard to beat the price, considering how spendy 1x11 drivetrains are. Don't expect miracles, get a really good mechanic to do the conversion, and you won't miss your 2x or 3x for a second.
  • 2 0
 SRAM 10 speed deraileurs already offset the top pulley from the cage pivot somewhat, so they will work better in stock configuration. a Shimano deraileur with a RAD cage, though, offsets more than the stock SRAM 10 speed configuration, so will work even better. XX1 deraileurs offset the pulley even more, but they also have a 10t cog to deal with, so they may have more offset that you would actually need for a 10 speed conversion.
  • 2 1
 Perhaps thats why Ive been running a WT conversion on Shimano XT and XTR mechs with no RAD cage for over a year now with no problems whatsoever. Very fortunate to be sponsored by a shop run by a former WC DH mechanic. Also advised to run my setup with no replacement 16t, the only time they've seen problems with these conversions is when people install that extra cog. Cant say Ive ever missed it, might be worth a try to anyone experiencing problems.
  • 3 0
 Chain reaction are doing some unbelievable deals on 1x10 almost half the price I paid in spring 2014, stings like a bitch, but with one of them and a one up that comes complete with a 16t I promise you is a game changer after a handful of rides. My old set up of sram x9 double and bash doesn't compare to the slx 1x10 I bought, front cog blackspire with a bruiser for protection well worth the splash. Don't be tempted to go with the E Thirteen extender, it is without doubt the worst thing I have believed in since my ex wife told me she was faithful
  • 1 0
 I'd been tempted by the ethirteen one, thanks for the opinion.
  • 3 0
 Sorry about the ex wife. But you made me laugh.
  • 5 0
 Can't wait for these to come out!http://www.bikeradar.com/us/mtb/news/article/praxis-to-debut-complete-wide-range-10-speed-mountain-bike-cassette-43713/
  • 3 0
 Don't know why anyone would call the one by conversion ghetto. I had a conversion on my previous bike, and a full x01 groupo on my new one. I am not finding any performance advantage, and I am hearing the 11 spd stuff doesnt last very long. If I did it again I would go 1x10.
  • 2 0
 I have the 42T cog and shifts as well as my X9 ever did into the big ring. I just ditched the 11T as I'm on a 29er and don't pedal downhill. I bought a a 13T lockring from Absolute Black. Makes for a very clean set up with out any shifting fuc&ery with only a small penalty on the ride to and from the trail on pavement.
  • 6 1
 Congratulations. the spread between a 13 & a 42 is 1.7. an 11-36 is 1.8. You've effectively made your gear spread worse. www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios
  • 2 1
 Well, seeing as I never used my 11T cog I'm far happier to now have the ability to spin up climbs seated when necessary, which wasn't that doable before. Congrats are in order.
  • 4 1
 a smaller chainring would accomplish exactly the same thing, with less weight, & a stock cassette.
  • 1 0
 I've got 30 on their which is the minimum for my 104 BCD crank. I did get an Absolute Black 26T narrow wide for the 64BCD (old granny) holes and that works as you've described. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be an option when I set this up.
  • 1 0
 No, but X01 cranks have been available at a fairly cheap price point for quite a while. probably comparable to what you've spent on the expander, 13t, & 26t granny. Also, why not swap back to 11-36 now that you've got the 26t ring? It makes the 13-42 even more pointless. Or, you know, run a 11-42 like everybody else, because it works fine for almost everyone.
  • 1 0
 I've done the same and it works perfectly, you're missing the point the cassette is completely stock in the middle so you don't have the un even jump to and from the sixteen tooth cog. What everyone here is complaining about. If you find that you don't use the 11t cog often,which I don't, other than to and from the trails like Jesse, then it's worth it. Perfect shifting throughout the cassette.
  • 1 0
 yes. but so is a stock cassette. So there is literally no point in running a 13 tooth ATM. if you need the lower gearing than a 30t can provide, just buy any of the cranks that can run a direct mount ring, the XX1/X01 cranks, or the absolute black 64 BCD rings.
  • 1 0
 When I set up my drivetrain I had an existing cassette, rear dr, chain, and 6 month old Raceface Atlas crankset. No way I was gonna buy a new whole drive train for a bit better spread. 11spd cassettes are still well over 200 bucks, so that wasn't an option. I also didnt see anyone selling narrow/wide little rings, so my best bet the big cog and the lock ring. I got the extra gearing I needed, and kept not using a gear I had almost never used on the trail. for about 120 all in I'm pretty happy. When this big ring goes, I'll get a small 64bdc ring, but till then I'm plenty happy. The existing 26T ring I just got lives on my fatbike, which I'll leaving there.
  • 1 0
 I was referring to only replacing the cranks, not the whole drivetrain. XX1 cranks work fine with 10 speed. That's why i added the "ATM" though: I can sympathize to setting up this drivetrain in the middle of this stuff: I bought the wrong derailleur,(ZEE because I wanted a short cage, because i was running 1x anyway & expander cogs didn't exist,) then the wrong expander cog, (40t, & I had to wait for those to be available, because of the derailleur not supporting a 42t,) then bought a RAD cage, & can use a 42t, but have to justify replacing the one I have(which is going to be a much smaller improvement than moving up from 36t max was) plus I had to buy a gs inner plate, because of the aforementioned wrong derailleur, & then they come out with the RADr cage, that will give me all the support I want, comes with a better inner plate than the one I had to buy from germany, plus a slightly shorter cage for clearance(I've whacked my RAD cage around a bit, wouldn't mind something a bit shorter.) Now, I'd just buy a XT, a RAD cage, & a 42t, or a ZEE & RADr cage +42t. would be way cheaper than how much I'll have spent by the time I get this thing set up the way I want.

But in your situation, you're one chainring away from a stock rear setup, that will give you improved gear spread, or throwing a 16t & the stock 11t on, & getting a wider gear spread. 36t cog is steel, 42t is aluminum. I know what I'd do.
  • 1 0
 We're both on the same page. I've got the ideal set up on the fatty, and the technically less ideal set up on the 29er. But both work, for now. Not sure why narrow/wide little rings weren't on the table from the get go, cause there are a lot of people like me who just want an easier gear than the 30T will allow and they make for better chainline.
  • 1 0
 If this doesn't suck everyone's dreams just came true: www.pinkbike.com/news/praxis-ks-wtb-taipei-show-2015.html
  • 1 0
 After riding a 40t for a year, I want a 42t. $125 is expensive for me too, when you consider you can get a XT for $50, & a 42t for 70ish.
  • 2 0
 I am using this on three bikes and it works great!!! I feel like the increase in quality is worth the extra price. I am using a rad cage on the XTR set up but only because WT didn't have their fix out yet.
  • 1 0
 Both WT & One-up have pointed out that the RAD cage is a better solution, (WT didn't use those exact words, but they confirmed you get back to stock b tension & chain wrap with a cage, but only about 60% with a goat link) but more expensive, & harder to install. The goat link is targeted at people who want something cheaper than a replacement cage, or don't want to rip their derailleur apart.
  • 2 0
 do you guys think is there a benefit to using both the RAD cage as well as the goat link simultaneously?
  • 2 0
 So, I was asking the same question, but I don't think so. One-up claims that the RAD cage restores derailleur geometry to stock, & my setup would seem to bear that out: My B-tension is right about the same as stock, as is shifting in general. add goat link to that, & you've moved the pulley farther from the cogs: that's at least going to reduce chain wrap in the 11t. you could drop b-tension even further, but if too much b-tension affects shifting negatively, too little will probably have the same effect. Plus, you've got far more range outward for b-tension than inward: it's quite possible that it would bottom out before you got the derailleur pulley back in close to the cogs.
  • 1 0
 That's the idea I had, was just searching the interwebs for answers but obviously can't get a straight answer from one up or wolf about each others products working together.
  • 1 0
 makes sense. if you imagine the goal of each product is meant to push that upper pulley back a little bit in order for it to clear a larger cog, you are going to lose some chain wrap. it seems like the RAD cage pushes the pulley farther back than the goat link would. adding them up will probably push it back too far and out of optimal performance range. the goat link is inexpensive enough to experiment with if you've already got a RAD cage :hinthint: jk i might give it a shot and report back.
  • 1 0
 So, do understand that you've oversimplified what the RAD cage does: it only moves the upper pulley farther away when the cage is stretched forward. When the cage is pointing backwards, the pulley is actually closer, providing MORE chainwrap, not less.
  • 2 0
 oh thats right, the geo of the der changes from top to bottom. my bad.
  • 1 0
 Yes, I suffer on the long climbs but when the suffering starts I still have my 36 tooth to rely on. Don't get me wrong, I'm no mountain goat and maybe that's why I feel like I'm missing something. My brother has a 1up and still can't keep up on the climbs. That said, I intentionally 'lock out' some of my granny gears so I can't use them. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and when you're body has had enough it will fail. No need to stop until then.
  • 3 0
 Nice to see a Sram and Shimano mech were used for testing. I love my 40t on the Zee. Will a Goat Link review be seen in the near future?
  • 8 5
 Pedal harder guys.. don't you like that burning feeling in the legs, the satisfaction you get from getting up a hill with a 11-34 ... I do !!
  • 5 1
 Not all of us are young and/or Chuck Norris type. I blame it on all the lifts making me weaker.
  • 5 0
 I blame age. And degrading knees. And I bet the hills here are steeper than those out east
  • 6 0
 Or get off and push for a few hundred yards. its free.
  • 1 0
 A 16t XT that comes for max €5. I really do not get it why the $15 for the wt 16t. What's the benfit?

Btw: Combined with my 40t hope. Plug and play. Perfect Shifting. If 11-40 is enough maybe go british with this perfect piece of cnc-manufacturing (that comes in lots of colours even silver...)
  • 1 0
 Shimano make a million, wolftooth make a thousand. Don't quote my numbers, but that might have something to do with it?
  • 1 0
 I have done the same conversion on both my MTBs; 650b Scott HT with a 42t Wolf Tooth cog (Raceface 30t chainring), and a Trek Slash with a Oneup 42t/30t chainring combo - both conversions have worked really, really well - and saved me loads in probable drivetrain updates to 1x11.

Really don't know why Shimano or SRAM don't offer 10-42/11-40 10s cassettes, as after my experience, I'll not be shelling out for 1x11 until it comes as standard on a new bike (probably many years away)
  • 1 0
 This is sooo interesting to read. I have never seen a 42t conversion that I thought had acceptable shifting performance, nor have I talked to anyone on the trail who didn't say something like "yeah it shifts a little shitty but I like the gear so I deal with it..." I was going to try again with a 40t because I have seen those work well. Maybe I'm too picky about having it shift like OEM.
  • 1 0
 I got a 40t and a 16t for my SRAM 1070 cassette a few weeks ago, bolted straight up and I have had zero issues with it. It came with a beer koozie too! Awesome service and communication from the guys, and it only took a week to get to New Zealand. If it wasn't for the fact I'm a cnc machinist by trade I'd buy a whole drive train from them, but I love making it myself too lol.
  • 1 0
 Anyone do this for1x 9 speed? I only use 3 to 4 gears. I go up, down and flat. The up is almost always steight up and a extra ring would be nice.

so happy everyone is going 1x but you only need the extra gears to smooth the change.
  • 1 0
 Us XX1 users need replacement 42t (or even 40t) cogs. The SRAM aluminum one doesn't last long and now I'm facing replacing the whole cassette.

I also don't see why others don't jump on the 10t cog with XD freehub - in 1x10 or direct SRAM competition 1x11. Imagine a Shimano compatible 10x40 10speed cassette on XD freehub with XT RD and shifters - whole system would cost less than just an XX1 cassette.
  • 1 0
 If you could convert a 10 speed setup to use an XD driver & 10t cog, I would certainly give it a shot, but I'm not aware of any method to actually accomplish that. XD cassette mounting is a whole different concept than standard Shimano 8 speed cassette mounting.
  • 1 0
 Leonardi Factory in Italy have XD compatible 1x10 cassettes. They have a 10 and 9T versions. Their cassettes will set you back 400 dollars.
  • 2 0
 I change my point then, to that I would try it, if the pricing weren't BATSHIT INSANE.
  • 1 0
 I use the general lee adaptor, which uses, for sram, three rings and replaces the top part of the cassette, so you dont need the 16t sproket. the three rings on my adaptor are 29, 35 and 42 - been running it now for well over a year and it's on its second cassette that has worn out faster
works out lighter than the competition too (including the whole cassette), if that gets you off and costs about £80
  • 1 0
 So I priced out the 11 speed XTR stuff from CRC and compared it to these aftermarket parts. I could spend $100+ on these two parts (more of I bought the radr) or mid $500 for new shifter, dérailleur, chain and cassette. To me, that's a no brainer. Once my cassette wears out, I'm done with 10sp.
  • 1 0
 Man! I have geeked-out over gear ranges for about 6 months now. I am a LARGE 40+ year old, my next bike wWill be 1X (sumthin). Why? Here's what I know. Fact 24/32 equals 30/40. 30/11 really close to 36/13. that gear @ 90 rpm is about as fast as MOST riders can comfortably ride a knobby on flat, hard pack for 15-20 min. SOOOOOOOO you don't think 1X 10/11 is really viable try spinning out either comparable extreme on your next climb / descent, and tell me you need more. Oh and that XX1 DH dlr, is fixed at 10 spd spacing for 7 gears, best I can tell from the SRAM site. A 10 spd 11-40, with a STEEL 40 and a 30 ring, would be enough for MOST riders (but that 40 would be so heavy! Shaddup!) Shimano or SRAM. 11-13-15-17-20-23-27-31-35-40 (16% to 13% for each change). I'd buy that for a dollar! BTW +2 on the front for 26, -2 on the front for 29. It works out.
  • 1 1
 When are you people going to realize Shimano/SRAM isn't going to go back and make a change to their 10spd system just because people with low budgets on the internet want them to? They're probably working on freakin 12spd right now! 10spd is all but a distant memory.

In less than a year I guarantee there will be an XT level 11spd cassette that'll fit on 10spd freehubs just the same as the XTR one does now. If you want a wide range cassette RIGHT NOW, pay the premium and get XTR or X1/X01/XX1. Otherwise, be patient and use the half assed shit like this in the mean time.

You all want cheap, reliable, light weight, long lasting, AND "right now". Not gonna happen.
  • 1 0
 You realize they made a 10 speed compatible X01 derailleur? www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/sram-x01-dh-10-speed-x-horizon-rear-derailleur
  • 1 0
 They also did a 7spd group too, but that doesn't mean they went back to shit from the 80's and gave it the ability to run wider range. The part you linked and the 7spd one are DH specific and have nothing to do with the ability to run a wider range cassette.
  • 1 0
 Except the one I linked can "officially" handle a 11-36 cassette. just like any other 10 speed derailleur, that can in fact handle an 11-40 or 42. It also has the extra upper pulley offset all the X-horizon derailleurs, which isn't required for a 11-36, but helps with an 11-42. also, they say this on that page: "EXACT ACTUATION™ variant allows upgrades to existing bikes in the aftermarket" So that is SRAM, making a derailleur that's a tacit admission that 10 speed is going nowhere, & subtly making one that will work with range expanders, that includes all their newest tech.

Which directly contradicts "SRAM isn't going to go back and make a change to their 10spd system just because people with low budgets on the internet want them to?" and "10spd is all but a distant memory." as well as "half assed shit."
  • 1 2
 Expanding their DH lineup is something they were going to do anyway. Throwing in marketing nonsense words like "EXACT ACTUATION" (what piece of shit shifter doesn't actuate 'exactly'?).

Existing Shimano/SRAM drivetrains work with 11-40 and 11-42 cassette adapters by playing with the b-tension. The bigger issue is the sloppy shifting from the 15 (or 16 if you have one) to 19 cogs and too large of a spread that early on in the cassette.

Point being, they didn't go back with the intent to make their new stuff backwards compatible.

Another point--throw an 11spd XTR or XX1 group on your bike and you'll realize that any other method of getting a 40 or 42 cog is the work of peasants. Everything else is trash by comparison.
  • 2 0
 Exact actuation is the marketing label they've used for their 1:1 actuation stuff since 9 speed(when they stopped making Shimano compatible stuff.) It's their way of saying "this will work with any of our 10 speed shifters." Because it already has a lot of upper pulley offset, it won't need high b-tension, just like my RAD cage equipped ZEE doesn't. Which you would know, if you in fact knew what you were talking about.

I've ridden 11 speed (bothXX1 & XTR, & Di2 XTR even.) They don't shift any better than 10 speed. not any worse either(which did happen previously. 9 speed sram shifts better than any of these other ones) but not any better. The only shifting problems within the cassette are the One-up 16t cogs, that's one products failure, not the entire concept.

& then there's your last sentence, a quite glorious attempt at trolling. But we'd all rather you just go back under your bridge, with your silly terms like "peasants," that you seem to think make you seem smart, when everyone just sees someone relying on ad hominem to make an argument, because their actual point is so pathetically poor that they have no other option.
  • 1 4
 LOL @ me "not knowing what I'm talking about" just because you've had a different experience than me.

Going above the stated max cog size on Shimano products has always required b-tension adjustment nearly maxed out. What have you tried it with, poverty Zee shit? I've tried it with 10spd XTR and Dura Ace and both needed a ton of b-tension.

Frankensteining a bunch of low rent shit together to give poor people a way to get a 40t or 42t cog is exactly that, half assed.

And I've actually OWNED the stuff you've just test ridden. 10spd and 11spd XTR and the 11spd version shifts way better. More smoothly and with less effort.
  • 3 0
 you don't know what you're talking about because we're talking about basic mechanics, not something that's subjective. If you increase upper pulley offset, you don't need excessive b-tension. But don't worry, you're much better than us peasants with our poverty zee, because you've owned XTR.
  • 1 4
 My experience differs. Only an idiot would say someone else is WRONG when their personal factual experience is different. At least I'm acknowledging that your experience could have happened.

My Dura Ace equipped road bike has a stated max cog size of 28. On serious climbing days I throw on a 11-32 cassette and it takes all of the b-screw to not rumble/drag gears in the low/low gear combo.
  • 1 0
 I found the jump from 36 to 42 Huge. Far bigger than I expected too. 36 made almost everything doable, but 42 just leaves me never thinking about gears anymore, which is great on the steep climbs we have around here.
  • 1 0
 I pitched the 11 and got a 12T lockring, kept the stock 19-17-15-13. Shifts perfectly. I hardly ever found myself grinding along in the 11 anyway my 70 year old legs ain't that strong boys.
  • 2 0
 Stand up on a steep dusty climb and you'll have no grip from the back tire, so sometimes sitting down is a must, simply for getting the back tire to grip.
  • 3 0
 I did this conversion, its awesome
  • 1 0
 Sram or shimano? Did you keep 2 gears in front? I am not sure about converting yet
  • 2 0
 Sram, I had a 1x10. I don't notice teh 16t vs 17t difference at all.
  • 1 0
 I'm using the 40T GC with a x9 regular RD and it shifts fantastic. Really great upgrade for the money; I may even go to a single ring in the front.
  • 2 0
 I use the wolfetooth 42 cog on my bike...but damn i spent $90 on it! For one freaking cog. US made or not...rip off!
  • 1 0
 I got this one en.garbaruk.com/products/extender - lets see how long it'll last.
  • 1 0
 @nomojo
Any update on this? I got mine (32t chainring and 42t cog combo) installed yesterday. Looks and feels good. The detail is high end. Thnx.
  • 1 1
 I'm running a wolftooth 42th with a radr cage, shifts amazingly. But I'm thinking about adding the goat link. Anybody try this yet? Would it help?
  • 1 0
 seems like the consensus is rad cage -or- goat link for optimal shifting performance.
  • 1 0
 I went with this on my new bike and it works great. Bought a Shimano 16t for $3 though.
  • 2 0
 40/42 with 22/24 on front??? There is no need for that. Weak ass Mofo!
  • 1 0
 Love my Wolftooth 42-T! Nice to have a get-home gear after a long day on the trails. ;-)
  • 1 0
 wish I had more teeth !!!!
  • 1 0
 Not a problem yet no skips or anything @rewob
  • 2 3
 There's no reason Wolf Creek (or any other cog maker) cannot use the Shimano patented HG ramp profiles as the patent expired many years ago.
  • 21 0
 Pretty sure wolf creek is a wine
  • 5 0
 and a movie.
  • 5 0
 wolf blass is a wine.
  • 2 0
 And a Ski resort...
  • 3 1
 Removal of the 71 tooth?
  • 6 1
 yea dude totally overkill, even for the steepest of climbs.
  • 5 4
 A solution that should have everyone howling.
  • 1 0
 That's a dog-gone good point!
  • 1 0
 No need to bark up the wrong tree when Wolf has what we need.
  • 2 0
 Quality products.
  • 1 0
 @dbiker22 Yours still working flawlessly?
  • 3 6
 A witch gear. How cute.

Years back we had these things called balls. Growing a pair was quite easy when you developed this old habit we called "practice". Anyhow, this was all free. It had this strange side effect called fun. I know none of you interested in this odd product can understand this idea since you're most likely too busy being serious and worrying about important things like which card-stock to order your mail clerk business cards in or which order to organize your staples and paperclips but believe me, this whole concept of relaxing and making your body do the work is quite liberating and fun.
  • 1 0
 I'll just wait for 11-40/42 10 speed cogs of shimano..
  • 1 2
 You're all suckers. Seriously. Stop spending money on useless gadgets. Spend some time in the kitchen, spend some time in the gym and lastly learn how to climb.
  • 1 0
 Mosquito legs
  • 1 0
 lubie possac
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