Are cheap cassettes durable enough? AliExpress vs Shimano
Trace Velo
March 11, 2025
1 year ago, I started using a cheap lightweight cassette from Aliexpress. 12 months later, how is the durability, and how does it compare to a Shimano cassette?
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I am ALWAYS looking for ways to make my road bike lighter, so when I saw a cheap lightweight mono-block cassette from ZTTO on AliExpress, I had to pick it up. Despite being made of steel it weighs just 199g and seemed very good quality. The shifting performance was also excellent, and costing just £66 i was very impressed. However the long term durability hasn’t been fantastic.
I would normally expect to get around 5000 miles, or roughly two chain replacements out of a standard Shimano cassette, however from this ZTTO cassette, I only managed to get 2560 miles…
In this episode I will discuss the construction of this cheap ZTTO cassette, compare the grade of steel used to that of a Shimano cassette, and also deep dive on the different coatings used to mitigate rusting/oxidation, reduce friction, and improve overall durability.
Affiliate links to cassettes discussed:
Black ZTTO cassette: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oEP2izt
SLR Gen3 cassette: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCDuLld
Timestamps:
00:00 – Overview
00:32 – Cassette failure
01:31 – How long did it last?
02:30 – Compare to Shimano
03:54 – Steel hardness test
07:02 – Siroko sponsor
07:34 – Cassette coatings
09:48 – Are cheap cassettes worth it?
11:26 – Bonus clip - Video editor
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk
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Email:
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Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
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Sunshine Savings/Seasonal Savings
CassetteZTTO Ultimate 11/12 Speed Road Bike Cassette Ultralight 11s 12s 11-28/30/32/34/36T Gravel Cassette 11V 12V Black Freewheel HG K7
Created: December 01, 2024The reviewer discusses their experience with a ZTTO monoblock cassette, which appears to be the ZTTO Ultimate 11/12 Speed Road Bike Cassette, though the exact model name isn't explicitly stated. They mention purchasing it for £66 and highlight its lightweight design at 200g, comparable to Shimano Dura-Ace. The cassette initially shifted well but wore out after approximately 2,500 miles, with the eighth gear becoming completely unusable. The reviewer conducted a hardness test comparing it to Shimano cassettes, finding the ZTTO's steel hardness relatively good but less uniform in hardening. They note the cassette has a basic black oxide coating rather than the more durable nickel plating found on Shimano products. The reviewer replaced it with a newer ZTTO SLR Gen 3 model but expects even lower durability due to aluminum teeth on the smaller cogs.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Lightweight at 200g
- Good initial shifting performance
- Price of £66 is much cheaper than equivalent Shimano Dura-Ace
- Steel hardness is relatively good in testing
- Comparable weight to high-end Shimano cassettes
Cons
- Wore out after approximately 2,500 miles
- Eighth gear became completely unusable
- Hardening less uniform than Shimano cassettes
- Basic black oxide coating less durable than nickel plating
- Cannot replace individual sprockets due to monoblock design
- Newer ZTTO model expected to have even worse durability with aluminum teeth
Where to Buy
ZTTO Ultimate 11/12 Speed Road Bike Cassette Ultralight 11s 12s 11-28/30/32/34/36T Gravel Cassette 11V 12V Black Freewheel HG K7
ZTTO SLR Gen3 11speed Road Bike Cassette 11 Speed 11-30 11-32 11-34 11-36 11-28T 112g K7 11s Spokets HGR universal
Created: March 12, 2025The reviewer discusses the ZTTO SLR Gen3 11speed Road Bike Cassette as a replacement for their worn-out monoblock steel cassette. They mention it is incredibly lightweight at just 122g and is the latest generation from ZTTO, referred to as the SLR Gen3. However, they express concerns about its durability, particularly due to the aluminum teeth on the first three sets, which they expect to wear out quickly. They plan to test it and provide updates on its performance.
AI-Summary
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight at just 122g
- Latest generation from ZTTO (SLR Gen3)
Cons
- Expected lower durability compared to the previous black cassette
- Aluminum teeth on the first three sets are expected to wear out very fast
- Suspects the underlying steel alloy is the same as the previous model
- Expects to get fewer miles (possibly less than 2,000) out of it
Creator Links
ZTTO SLR Gen3 11-Gang-Rennradkassette 11 Gang 11-30 11-32 11-34 11-36 11-28T 112g K7 11s Speichen HGR universal - AliExpress 18