Shimano 10-Speed Chain and Cassette
By James Sharp

Over the years, drive train manufacturers have managed to squeeze more and more gears into the same space. When bicycles went from 7-speed to 8-speed, the rear hub outside locknut dimension (OLD) went from 126mm to 130mm on road bikes. This made the room needed for the extra cog. However, the shifts from 8-speed to 9-speed and now 10-speed cassettes haven't had a corresponding change in OLD. The individual cogs—and the spaces between them—have simply narrowed. This means that chains have had to narrow as well in order to fit the new cassette spacing. Unfortunately, chains and cassettes wear out. As tolerances have gotten tighter, the amount of wear that is allowable has been reduced as well. A little slop and that nice new 20-speed road bike doesn't shift as well as it did new. Let the chain go too long, and the cassette is shot as well. Shimano realizes this, and with the introduction of their 105 10-speed group they have addressed the cost of replacing these items.

CS-5600 Cassette
CN-5600 Chain

The CN-5600 cassette and CN-5600 chain really go hand in hand since you can't run a 10-speed cassette without the narrower 10-speed chain. The new cassette uses an alloy spider for the largest three cogs and the cogs themselves use computer designed Hyperglide ramps and tooth profiles to give the crisp shifting the Shimano is known for. The 105 cassette comes in the following combinations: 11-12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23T, 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25T (tested), 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27T and 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25T. The cogs are made of steel that is nickel plated for longer life.

The 105 10-speed chain is super-narrow; it's designed specifically for 10-speed systems. Like all Shimano chains, a special pin is required to put the chain together—one is in the box for initial installation, with additional pins available—in order to maintain the durability of the chain. The chain is easy to install, using the special pin, with a standard chain tool.

The real story of the new chain and cassette is price. These items wear out. The only way to prevent it is to hang your bike on the wall and put a frame around it. If your bike came with an Ultegra drivetrain, it'll cost you nearly $80 for the cassette and $35 for the chain. On the other hand, the 105 cassette and chain will set you back a relatively light $66 and $28, respectively. Combined that saves you $21. That's a number of burritos. In fact, at the moment, the 105 level cassette and chain are the least expensive cassette and chain option on the market. If your wallet is light, and you need new parts, you can't find cheaper.

Price is one thing, but it doesn't really matter if the performance isn't there. Now, to be honest, the 105 stuff is a little bit heavier—the 105 cassette weighs 250g versus 235g for the Ultegra version—there's no getting around that, cheaper usually means heavier. That being said, I have found that the 105 group as a whole shifts as well as any Ultegra equipped bike I have ridden to date, in spite of the extra weight. I doubt anyone could tell the difference if you were to swap out an Ultegra cassette and chain for the 105 version, all else kept the same. They seem to be as durable, if not more so.

Summary: Besides being the least expensive 10-speed chain and cassette on the market, Shimano hasn't forgotten that in the end, performance rules the day, and the wallet. With the new 105 10-speed CN-5600 chain and CS-5600 cassette, they have produced a winning combonation that won't break the bank. Lets face, drivetrain components wear out, but at least the lower prices are easier to swallow when replacement time comes.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com; more of his ramblings and a look at upcoming reviews can be found at his blog: Lactic Acid Threshold.

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