Altus Shimano Cassette Sprocket CS-HG31

This is Shimano's 'low end' 8 speed cassette. That basically translates into it being heavier and not as pretty to look at as their higher tier parts. I installed this on my 'utility / commuter bike', for which aesthetics and (low) weight are not high up on my list of priorities. What is important to me is performance and durability, which this part will certainly give you. There are various speciality tools that will work for installation. I used a chain whip and cassette lockring remover, which are also nice tools to have on hand if you ever need to replace a broken spoke. Shimano is known for delivering very good performance throughout their range of parts, even on the low end. So while this cassette may not win awards for it's use of exotic materials, light weight, or 'bling factor', it will help you achieve positive and crisp shifting at a low price point and is likewise built for durability. To me, that makes it a winner. Great for: commuter bikes (riding to work, ect) utility bikes (picking up groceries, running errands, getting around town) casual (pleasure) riding, or riding for fitness. Not recommended for: racing or competitive riding (triathlons, duathlons, time trials, road racing) 'blinging' out your ride

I’ve had this a While now, it’s done great and has held up well.

I purchased it for my vintage 2000 Univega Alpina 500 24 speed MTB. Which was originally equipped with a 8-speed 11-30T cassette sprocket. Also purchased the Oumers Bike Cassette Removal Tool Kit so i can tightened the lock ring. It worked perfectly, and I didn't have to readjust the derailleurs. I'm very happy with the purchase.

Quick Notes: -Good quality cassette fit on Shimano hub without issue -Easy to install as long as you have a Shimano freewheel tool. -Shift to higher gears (higher toothed gears) very smoothly. -Tends to slam (skips down instead of rolling onto the cog) into lower gears even with a new Acera derailleur -Can put a good amount of force onto the cassette threw the crankset. -If you are heavier or plan on putting a lot of sudden force onto this cassette the even a new chain will skip on it. -I would only recommend this cassette to casual rides or commuters as an economy option since they more than likely won’t have to put a lot of force into the cassette or change gears a lot. -If you off road or use your bike for training this cassette is not for you. I would recommend the new cassette I have had for a few weeks that doesn’t have any of the above mentioned issues and is still fairly cheap. (Shimano HG51 8-Speed Cassette). -The photos are of the cassette after a little over a month of use Full Review: I purchased this cassette over a month ago when I stripped the teeth off of my 11 and 13 tooth cog on my old cassette. Installation was very easy you will need a Shimano freewheel tool I have (Park Tool FR-1 Freewheel Remover for Shimano Freewheels) and an old chain. You don’t need a chain whip it does make things easier but I’ve removed 3 different cassettes just using an old chain I had laying around to hold the old cassette and prevent it from moving and you don’t need it installing the new cassette. If you don’t know how to replace a cassette I strongly suggest you head over to YouTube and look it up its very easy to do as long as you do it right. Righting with this new cassette my first impressions were great I didn’t feel any loss of power from my crank-set to the rear cassette and wheel. That only lasted when I was riding casually though as soon as I put a lot of power threw my cranks when climbing a hill of when going off road the chain started skipping on the cassette. Now I’m not mad at the cassette of Shimano for this and I figured this would happen as this is the cheapest cassette Shimano makes and isn’t really suited for training or going off road. But I figured I would give it a try since it was so cheap and I needed a new cassette not that I wouldn’t have to send back. So I used this cassette for over a month while I looked at new cassettes and tried to figure out want I wanted and needed and still get it at a low price. I eventually went with (Shimano HG51 8-Speed Cassette) that I’ve had for a week now and absolutely love had done training and gone off road with it every day and have had no issues. So I would recommend to almost everyone to spend the extra ten bucks and get that as its much higher quality. That is unless you will only be using this cassette on a casual bike or a commuting bike and just need the cheapest thing out there because this isn’t a bad cassette you just can’t put a lot of power into it. --*If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will try and respond as soon as I can, but I have a job and things to do so please don't expect a response immediately.*

This is the cassette of choice for most of my bikes. Quality shifting, long-lasting and dirt cheap. It may weigh a few ounces more, but not significant for your daily rider. I only wished Shimano produced these at a 12-36 or even 13-40, but it would eat away at the huge profits they make on the higher-end cassettes.

This was the factory cassette on a Quiet Kat Warrior hunting e-bike. I had allowed my old chain to stretch WAY too much and the new chain was skipping on my lower gears after I replaced it. I decided to replace the cassette and chainring. Replacing the cassette was incredibly easy (plenty of how-to videos online). I bought the $10 Park Tool Shimano cassette tool, but I did manage to actually remove the old cassette with the "needle nose pliers method" that I found online before the tool arrived. I also did not have a chain whip? tool and simply used the old chain clamped with vice grips to keep the cassette from spinning. A quick overview of the needle nose method: 1. Remove the rear wheel and lay flat on the floor with the cassette on top. 2. Using a chain whip, pipe wrench, large channel locks, etc..., prevent the hub from spinning. 3. Insert small needle nose pliers into the hub... pull out on the handle to spread the needle nose part as wide as possible inside the hub. Try to get the needle nose into 2 of the slots that are in the center, across from each other. 4. While applying pressure to spread the tips of the needle nose, rotate the needle nose pliers counter clockwise. If it comes off, GREAT! If not, you may need the cassette tool. With the cassette tool, I still found that I did not need the chain whip. I held the cassette still with a towel and used an impact on the cassette tool. It broke loose quickly this way on all 3 of my bikes. Last thing: I did clean the freehub before reassembly, and lubed all of the gears on the cassette before I finished the install. While I was in there, I also cleaned the derailleur cogs. I am very happy with this item!

Works great, bit extra range. Any larger cog and it would start shifting funny and potentially need a hanger extender.

This is not the lightest 8 speed cassette available, 312g on my scales isn't bad, same as the pilshed version of the HG-41. The 11-32 that I bought, gives me a smooth transition from 28 to 32 when I need that extra bit on a steep climb with my gravel bike. The MegaRange style 11-34 leaves too much of a change from the 26t -34t climbing gear. If a 32 rear cog wasn't low enough for me, I'd rather change the front chainring to something smaller than to have that much "gap." This cassette works with the 8,9,10 speed hubs... But the 11t sprocket isn't attached, so you could actually use this set with an older 7 speed hub, and make it a 7 speed 13-32. You would need a thin spacer, but as a temporary hack until you get the replacement hub body, it would work, though Shimano would never recommend it. As many have said before, it's a good utility cassette. Perfect for hybrid/gravel/maybe a replacement for a road bike cassette, and light to medium duty mountain bikes. In a harsh MTB application, I'd want the cogs mounted to a carrier to protect my hub body and strengthen the cassette. Cassette Cogs: 11,13,15,18,21,24,28,32 so the gaps aren't too bad.

This one is slightly higher in quality and price than the one I'm replacing.But it definitely makes it better

si adatta bene

This product has not yet been fitted however item is as described and easily available.

Replacement cassette. Exactly what I wanted.

Perfetto