Pairing Shimano 11speed MTB cassette with a road groupset [0048]

Edit/update: WORKS like a charm - well over a year of testing now. :)

Shimano 11 speed MTB cassettes have slightly wider sprocket spacing compared to their 11 speed road cassettes. However, it is closely enough matched for it to work decently - as we have tested and confirmed - though some further off road testing is coming up.

More details on cassette compatibility:

How it was done:

Under 2 mm wide spacer was placed on the freehub body before mounting the 11 speed MTB cassette, or it would not have been possible for the lockring to hold it tightly in place otherwise (Shimano 11 speed road freehubs are wider than MTB ones).

For the spacer, a 14 tooth 9 speed cassette sprocket was used - we had to improvise. :)

More details on rear hub specs, compatibility and workarounds:

The used rear derailleur had mid-sized cage length (GS).

More details on the rear derailleur specs (cage length, chain wrap capacity etc.):

Since the cassette had a very large largest sprocket, we also needed to use a WolfTooth adapter.

Amazon affiliate link for WolfTooth adapter (rear derailleur hanger extender):

If you have any questions, please use the BikeGremlin forum (I try to respond to every comment, but YouTube sucks at notifications, especially when it comes to any follow-up questions):

id: 0048

[BikeGremlinUS]

If you have any questions, please use the BikeGremlin forum (I try to respond to every comment, but YouTube sucks at notifications, especially when it comes to any follow-up questions):

Relja

[duncanputman]

It does work! I have a cyclo cross bike with an 11 speed SRAM PG-1170, 11-36, road cassette paired with a SRAM force rear mech. I've been wanting to fit a pair of wheels on this bike from a 29er mtb with DT Swiss 240 MTB Hubs with a 10/11 speed freehub body fitted. I hadn't appreciate all the complexity with 10/11 speed compatibility between road and MTB.

I didn't want a huge 11 speed MTB cassette with a 50 sprocket (all the Shimano and SRAM 11 speed MTB cassettes all seem to have a 48 or 50 sprocket) as that isn't ideal for cyclocross or gravel and a Shimano or SRAM 11 speed road cassette won't fit the freehub as these cassettes are too wide.

My solution has been to use a Sunrace CSMS8 cassette. These are 11 speed MTB cassettes and for the mtb 10/11 freehub but you can get an 11-36 which is much better for the cyclo-cross/gravel bike.

In terms of spacing of sprockets I have compared the SRAM road cassette and the Sunrace MTB cassette and I can't tell any difference in width, although it's quite hard to measure precisely. Visually, all the sprockets line up. Gears run smoothly, even under load

Hopefully others will find this useful

Duncan

[Lezz]

You can also try to reduce derailleur lever arm to increase travel on a cassette by using custom made cable holder

[officialdreymedina]

what is the difference of mtb and road bike 11 speed cassette ? does rb cassette eat more space on freehub then a mtb cassette or they are just the same only teeth difference ?

[nicolashuffman]

I want to try this the other way around, with a road cassette on a mountain bike. I live in a flat area and don't need the giant cassettes.

[keithdarling]

Thanks for the informative video! What size MTB? Thinking 11-40 is demonstrated here.

[jonienglish]

did you have to use a 1.85mm spacer on the freehub ?

[YassD]

Hello BikeGremlin

I'm seeking guidance on the compatibility of shift levers for my bike with the following configuration:

Shifting Lever: SL-M5100-R
Rear Derailleur: RD-M5120-SGS
Cassette Sprocket: CS-M5100-11 (11-51t)
Chain: CN-HG601-11

I'm curious if any of you have explored road shift lever options from Sensah, Sram, Shimano, or Microshift that are compatible and work well with these components without any other adapter.

which is the more budget friendly and compatible road shifter?

I appreciate any experiences or recommendations you can share. Thanks in advance for your help!