Educating Peachy – Shimano 7 speed cassette identification..

[Peachy!]

Hello all, I was having a dig around in my dirty box this morning and pulled out five Shimano Hyperglide 7 speed cassettes, all absolutely caked in black crud and tbh I hadn’t given them a second thought after they’d been removed from whatever hub they had been attached to… up until now that is when I find myself wanting a 7 speed for another bike in the queue.

But after a cursory wipe, I’ve realised they are all different and I was wondering what groups they were supposed to nominally match up with…
I’ve got my suspicions, but these are only based on assumptions, not facts..
Hopefully the more knowledgeable amongst us might be able to shed some light?

No1… cogs stamped M-1988, 328g, B12t – B28t, bolted. Feels good quality so I’m assuming Deore II, not XT.


No2… cogs stamped N-1989, 376g, C13t-C30t, bolted. Feels cheaper, chrome plated steel with rust spots so I’m assuming LX or lower?


No3… cogs stamped O-1990, 307g, E12t-E28t, bolted. Feels good quality so I’m assuming DX, not XT.


No4…cogs stamped O&P 1990-91, 307g, E12t-E28t, riveted. Feels ok quality so I’m assuming DX, not XT.


No5… cogs stamped S-1994, 311g, E12t-E28t, bolted. Feels cheaper, chrome plated steel with rust spots so I’m assuming LX or lower?

 

[MR OX]

Re:

Following with interest as I have a tonne of these.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Assuming they are all together as he correct part.

no2,3,5 are HG90 so XT

Methods to identify, black ring in the locking = XT/HG90 red Shimano liable = XT/HG90
shiny chrome equals top end.

didn't see #1 properly, it's really brigh and sunny out here.
that's also XT/HG90

though if it hasn't got the black band it could be either as iirc HG70 may also have had the red sticker.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

the two tone one would be HG50 by the way.
Dull silver chrome plating is HG70
shiny silver (chrome plating) is HG90
iirc

check out bikepro, they may go into more detail.

edit to add
if you want to make a cassette up, take the best ones, you can mix and match. use the lettering to see if they can see next to each other for that hyperglide experience. aka keep them the correct size but pick the best one of that size.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

AND...
you mention groupsets.
(I knew there was something else)

HG90 =XT
HG70 =DX & LX
HG50 = Exage (500LX and below)

 

[legrandefromage]

Lovely big pic of a HG CS-90

 

[Peachy!]

Great, ok....but..... I’m confused. No1 did have the same red Hyperglide sticker as 2,3 & 5 but.. the cogs on No2 alone weigh at least 40g more, did Shimano really make their top of the range heavier and more susceptible to rust?

 

[legrandefromage]

its a bigger ratio cassette?

 

[Peachy!]

its a bigger ratio cassette?

Yarp.... 12-28 against 13-30, who’d have thought a couple of extra teeth would increase the weight by more than 10% ? :shock:

And whilst I’ve got your attention, what’s the big letter for? B12, C12, E12 etc (I know the number is teeth obvs :facepalm: )

 

[legrandefromage]

Could be a manufacturer location or something or maybe just a big letter to muse upon 30 years later