3.8 drivetrain

Cassette Removal

Cassette Removal. Step-by-step procedure for bike maintenance — tools, time, and what to watch out for.

Difficulty ★★☆ moderate
Time ~10 min
Applies to All bikes (with cassette — most modern bikes)

Tools

  • Cassette lockring tool (matched to your hub: HG, XD/XDR, Microspline, Campagnolo)
  • chain whip
  • large adjustable wrench or 1" socket driver

Procedure

  1. Remove the rear wheel

    from the bike. Lay the wheel cassette-side-up on the bench (or hold vertical).

  2. Remove the thru-axle or quick release

    from the hub.

  3. Insert the lockring tool

    fully into the splines of the lockring. It must seat completely or it will round off the splines.

  4. For thru-axle wheels:

    thread the thru-axle back in to hold the tool against the cassette. This prevents the tool from popping out under force. (You can buy lockring tools with a guide pin built in — Park BBT-79.2 — that solves this without the axle.)

  5. Wrap the chain whip

    around one of the larger cogs (typically the second or third largest), so it pulls clockwise from your viewpoint.

  6. Position both tools

    so you can push them toward each other — chain whip pulling clockwise, lockring tool counter-clockwise.

  7. Push down firmly

    on both. The lockring loosens with a loud crack — this is normal.

  8. Unscrew the lockring

    by hand once loose.

  9. Slide the cassette off

    the freehub body. Note the order of cogs and any spacers. > The lockring is splined to engage with one specific tool design. Forcing the wrong tool will round it. Confirm HG vs. XD vs. Microspline before starting. ---

Procedure #

  1. Remove the rear wheel from the bike. Lay the wheel cassette-side-up on the bench (or hold vertical).
  2. Remove the thru-axle or quick release from the hub.
  3. Insert the lockring tool fully into the splines of the lockring. It must seat completely or it will round off the splines.
  4. For thru-axle wheels: thread the thru-axle back in to hold the tool against the cassette. This prevents the tool from popping out under force. (You can buy lockring tools with a guide pin built in — Park BBT-79.2 — that solves this without the axle.)
  5. Wrap the chain whip around one of the larger cogs (typically the second or third largest), so it pulls clockwise from your viewpoint.
  6. Position both tools so you can push them toward each other — chain whip pulling clockwise, lockring tool counter-clockwise.
  7. Push down firmly on both. The lockring loosens with a loud crack — this is normal.
  8. Unscrew the lockring by hand once loose.
  9. Slide the cassette off the freehub body. Note the order of cogs and any spacers.

The lockring is splined to engage with one specific tool design. Forcing the wrong tool will round it. Confirm HG vs. XD vs. Microspline before starting.