Increases the gear range of Shimano’s new XT and XTR 1×11 groupset with a 45t cassette sprocket
OneUp has just launched a 45t cassette upgrade kit for Shimano’s new 11-speed XT and XTR groupsets, offering a wide gear ratio setup to rival SRAM’s popular 1×11 groupset.
SRAM has had runaway success with its 1×11 groupsets for the past few years, which ditch the front mech and double chainring for a single ring with a huge 10-42t cassette, providing a massive range of gear ratios.
Shimano finally offered a 1×11 drivetrain with its recently launched new XT and XTR (double and triple chainsets also available) but with an 11-40t cassette, it’s not a direct match for SRAM’s offering. The new OneUp kit replaces the stock Shimano 40t sprocket with a 45t sprocket, and the 17 and 19 sprockets with an 18, and increases the gear range by 12.5%. The new cassette setup would look like this: 11-13-15-18-21-24-27-31-35-40-45.
The company claims the Shimano rear mech copes just fine with the increased sprocket size, with enough chain wrap for flawless shifting. The upgrade kit costs $90 (we don’t have a UK price) and includes a 7075-T6 aluminium 45t sprocket and a nickel plated hardened steel 18t sprocket, colour matched to the XTR sprockets. OneUp says there’s a small 65g weight penalty.
The OneUp 45t upgrade kit will be available from 18th May.
