#lock ring

If you start to customize your gearshift, you will have to replace the sprockets at some point. If you are using different parts from different sets, it is all about the fitting and making the parts fit. If you stick to one brand like Shimano, this won't be a problem usually. Their wide range of components offer great possibilities for customization. No matter if you count every gram or simply need the biggest possible durability in all parts of your bike — they have, what you need.

In some rare cases even replacement parts from the same brand might not fit perfectly. For example, Shimano's 11 sprocket from the eight speed series won't fit every lock ring they produced, because at some point they changed the size of the shift tracks. Although you can still use it and combine it into your shift, it will never run as smoothly as it should because the chain is lifted from the smallest bevel with every spin. This will make some noise, and noise means friction, which means wasting energy.

To avoid that you will have get down to some serious work. You will have to take off the lock ring (in this case from the Shimano's Dura Ace, made of aluminum) and sand down the sides. The lock ring's purpose is to close the cassette and fasten everything on it's spot. To take it off, you will need a special tool.

Here, we show you how it's done:

Clearly visible: The Lockring overlaps.

Diameter 11er, side to 12er. Here is a notch (also visible in the image above), that solves the problem between both sprockets.

Of course it would be possible to use the lockring from another series (Shimano LX would fit in our case), but that one is not as light as the one from the Dura Ace series. Weight matters — only the best for you and your bike — and not a gram more.

Sanding.

A grinder bench will deliver the best results. Grinding it with your hands will work too, but will most probably not deliver quite as smooth of a result, and it will take much, much longer.

But, be careful with the sanding. Don’t take away too much, otherwise the resulting contact area of the lock ring gets too small to lock the cassette tight enough. If that happens, you should not use the lock ring anymore.

Diameter is fine now.

It fits! When installed the chain runs much more smoother than before. Less friction equals more energy for you.

Ask us!