Procedure

Wipe the freehub body

clean with a rag.

Apply a thin film of grease or anti-seize

to the freehub splines (helps with future removal).

Slide the cassette on

in order. The largest cog first if it's a separate piece.

Note the spline alignment:

HG cassettes have one wider spline that aligns with one wider groove on the freehub. XD and Microspline cassettes thread on directly to the freehub (no individual cog stacking).

Install any spacer

behind the smallest cog if your cassette/freehub combo requires one (often present on 10-speed road on 11-speed bodies).

Hand-thread the lockring

into the freehub. If it's not threading smoothly, stop — you've cross-threaded. Back off and realign.

Tighten with the lockring tool

and a torque wrench to **40 Nm**. The chain whip is not needed for tightening — the freehub ratchet holds the cassette.

Reinstall the wheel

and check shifting. ---

Wipe the freehub body clean with a rag.
Apply a thin film of grease or anti-seize to the freehub splines (helps with future removal).
Slide the cassette on in order. The largest cog first if it’s a separate piece.
Note the spline alignment: HG cassettes have one wider spline that aligns with one wider groove on the freehub. XD and Microspline cassettes thread on directly to the freehub (no individual cog stacking).
Install any spacer behind the smallest cog if your cassette/freehub combo requires one (often present on 10-speed road on 11-speed bodies).
Hand-thread the lockring into the freehub. If it’s not threading smoothly, stop — you’ve cross-threaded. Back off and realign.
Tighten with the lockring tool and a torque wrench to 40 Nm. The chain whip is not needed for tightening — the freehub ratchet holds the cassette.
Reinstall the wheel and check shifting.

Cassette Installation

Tools