Best 12 Speed Bike Cassettes & Freewheels of 2025

Jason Kiser Avatar
Jason Kiser
Last Updated: Jan 2, 2025

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12-speed bike cassettes and freewheels are essential components for any serious cyclist looking to upgrade their ride. These products offer a wider range of gears, allowing for smoother transitions and greater control on steep inclines and descents. With a variety of options available, including different tooth counts and materials, cyclists can customize their cassette or freewheel to suit their specific needs and preferences. Whether hitting the trails or cruising through the city, 12-speed bike cassettes and freewheels are a must-have for any avid rider seeking top performance and reliability.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

SHIMANO Alivio 7-Speed Mountain Bike Cassette - CS-HG200-8 (12-32) Cover #TOP 1
SHIMANO Alivio 7-Speed Mountain Bike Cassette - CS-HG200-8 (12-32)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
SHIMANO SLX CS-M7100 Cassette Cover #TOP 2
SHIMANO SLX CS-M7100 Cassette
ftb score rating icon 9.8
SHIMANO XT CS-M8100 Cassette Cover #TOP 3
SHIMANO XT CS-M8100 Cassette
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 12 Speed Bike Cassettes & Freewheels

#TOP 1

SHIMANO Alivio 7-Speed Mountain Bike Cassette - CS-HG200-8 (12-32)

ECSHG2007232
SHIMANO Alivio 7-Speed Mountain Bike Cassette - CS-HG200-8 (12-32) Cover
Shimano ALIVIO HG200 Cassette 7-Speed 12-32T Black

The SHIMANO Alivio Cassette is a high-end mountain bike cassette that offers a smooth, comfortable pedaling experience. With HYPERGLIDE technology, this cassette allows for easy and quick assembly with a CS cap. Available in both 12-28 and 12-34T gear specs, you can choose the perfect gear for your ride. The Alivio Cassette also has a high-end appearance that will make you proud to ride it. The close gear steps between primary sprockets create a seamless transition between gears, making for an enjoyable ride.

What We Like
HYPERGLIDE technology
Quick assembly with CS cap
Smooth and comfortable pedaling
#TOP 2

SHIMANO SLX CS-M7100 Cassette

07372386
Black/Silver
10-51t
SHIMANO SLX CS-M7100 Cassette Cover
SHIMANO SLX CS-M7100 Cassette - 12-Speed, Silver/Black, Micro Spline

The SHIMANO SLX CS-M7100 Cassette is a high-performance 12-speed cassette designed for mountain biking excellence. With its rider-tuned gear combinations, it offers advanced shifting performance, giving you the confidence to tackle any trail. The cassette's light and stiff construction reduces inertia, resulting in faster acceleration and increased chain security. Thanks to HYPERGLIDE+ technology, you'll experience better chain engagement, stronger retention, and smoother pedaling, ensuring greater power and confidence on rapidly changing terrain. The cassette also features a Shimano Micro Spline body, which has smaller and more widely distributed splines to limit cog damage on the freehub. Upgrade to the SHIMANO SLX Cassette and enjoy an enhanced riding experience with improved performance and durability.

What We Like
Optimized gear combinations
Advanced shifting performance
Light and stiff construction
#TOP 3

SHIMANO XT CS-M8100 Cassette

Shimano
Silver/Black
10-51T
SHIMANO XT CS-M8100 Cassette Cover
Shimano XT CS-M8100 Cassette - 12-Speed, 10-51t, Silver/Black, Micro Spline

The SHIMANO XT CS-M8100 Cassette is a high-performance 12-speed cassette designed for mountain biking enthusiasts. With its rider-tuned wide range and close step gear combinations, this cassette ensures excellent performance on the trails. Thanks to the HYPERGLIDE+ technology, the shift ramp designs provide fast and smooth shifts, giving you a seamless riding experience. The light and stiff construction of the cassette reduces inertia, resulting in faster acceleration and increased chain security. Additionally, the Shimano Micro Spline body with smaller and more widely distributed splines limits cog damage on the freehub, ensuring durability and longevity. Upgrade your bike with the SHIMANO XT CS-M8100 Cassette and elevate your mountain biking adventures.

What We Like
Optimized gear combinations
Fast and smooth shifts
Light and stiff construction
#TOP 4

SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230 Cassette

CRR454
Black
One Size
SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230 Cassette Cover
SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230 Cassette - 12 Speed, 11-50t, Black

The SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230 Cassette is a 12-speed cassette with 11-50t cog sizes made of steel. It is compatible with Shimano/SRAM 8, 9, 10-Speed and Shimano Dynasys 11-Speed Mountain. The cassette body type is designed to fit Shimano/SRAM 8, 9, 10-Speed and Shimano Dynasys 11-Speed Mountain. This cassette is lightweight with a carrier material of aluminum and a claimed weight of 615g. Ideal for bike cassettes and freewheels.

What We Like
12-speed cassette with a wide range of cog sizes.
Compatibility with various Shimano/SRAM speed types.
Lightweight with an aluminum carrier material.
#TOP 5

Shimano CS-6700 Ultegra Cassette

143963
Silver
12/25T
Shimano CS-6700 Ultegra Cassette Cover
Shimano CS-6700 Ultegra Bicycle Cassette (10-Speed, 12/25T)

The Shimano Ultegra Cassette is a 10-speed component designed for road bicycles, featuring a gear range of 12-25 teeth. This range offers versatility, allowing you to tackle both steep climbs and flat roads with ease. The cassette is built to provide smooth shifting, ensuring you can change gears effortlessly while riding. With its durable construction, it stands up to the demands of regular use, giving you reliability on every ride. Whether you're racing or enjoying a leisurely ride, this cassette enhances your cycling experience by improving performance and efficiency.

What We Like
Smooth gear shifting
Durable construction
Versatile gear range
Reliable performance
#TOP 6

DRIFT MANIAC E-Bike Freewheel 7 Speeds 11-28/11-34T Teeth

7S-11-34T
7S-11-34T
7S 11-34T
DRIFT MANIAC E-Bike Freewheel 7 Speeds 11-28/11-34T Teeth Cover
DRIFT MANIAC E-Bike Freewheel 7 Speeds 11-28/11-34T Teeth EPOCH

The DRIFT MANIAC E-Bike Freewheel has 7 speeds with the largest climbing gear of 34 teeth, making it ideal for e-bike conversion, fat bike, cargo bike, city bike, and commuting bike. It is made of Chromoly Steel with a nickel plated finishing, designed to bear the massive torque generated from the electric motor. The freewheel is compatible with motorized freewheel hub and standard threaded freewheel hub, and can be removed using a DNP freewheel removal tool with 12 splines and 22.6mm outer diameter.

What We Like
Improves climbing ability with its biggest sprocket of 34 teeth
Compatible with various types of bikes, including e-bike conversion, fat bike, cargo bike, city bike, and commuting bike
High strength and durable due to its ratchet mechanism, designed to bear massive torque generated from the electric motor
#TOP 7

Sram XG-1275 Cassette 12s

00.2418.078.000
Multicolour
10-50 12 speed
Sram XG-1275 Cassette 12s Cover
SRAM GX Eagle XG-1275 Cassette - 12 Speed, 10-50t, Black, For XD Driver Body

The Sram XG-1275 Cassette 12s is an essential component of the SRAM Eagle drivetrain system that offers a lighter, simpler, more durable, and easier to use cycling experience. It features Full Pin Technology that uses 11 lightweight, stamped steel cogs and one 50-tooth aluminum cog held together with high-strength stainless steel pins, an open design that helps in mud clearance for cleaner shifting performance and longer cassette life, XD Driver Body design for an improved interface with the cassette, and X-Glide that improves both inboard and outboard shifting and chain retention.

What We Like
Lighter, simpler, and more durable
Improved shifting performance and chain retention
Super wide 10-50 tooth gear range
#TOP 8

Zenlux DEORE M6100 12-Speed Sprocket

Zenlux
CS-M7100
One Size
Zenlux DEORE M6100 12-Speed Sprocket Cover
Zenlux DEORE M6100 SLX CS-M7100 XT M8100 12 Speed Sprocket Compatible with Shimano 10-51T Cogs Mountain Bike Freewheel Bike Micro Spline Cassette (CS-M7100)

The Zenlux 12-Speed Sprocket is engineered with a Micro Spline body, which features compact and evenly spaced splines to protect your freehub from cog damage. With a versatile 10-51T gear range, you can tackle various terrains with ease. This sprocket ensures improved chain engagement and stability, giving you the confidence to pedal smoothly, even on challenging trails. Its lightweight and rigid design minimizes inertia, allowing for quicker acceleration and better chain security, making your rides more enjoyable and efficient.

What We Like
Micro Spline body protection
Wide gear range
Smoother pedaling experience
Faster acceleration
#TOP 9

Shimano Deore M6000 Cassette

CRR448
Silver
12-28T
Shimano Deore M6000 Cassette Cover
Shimano Deore M6000 CS-HG500 Cassette - 10 Speed, 12-28t, Silver

The Shimano Deore Cassette is designed for versatility and performance across various riding styles. Its lightweight spider construction ensures that you won’t be weighed down during your rides. With a broad range of gears and smooth transitions, you can easily tackle different terrains. The DYNA-SYS compatibility guarantees stable and seamless shifting, enhancing your overall riding experience. Additionally, this high-efficiency drivetrain is perfect for aggressive trail riding, providing the power and control you need when navigating challenging paths.

What We Like
Lightweight design
Smooth gear transitions
Stable shifting
Versatile for different terrains
#TOP 10

SHIMANO HG400 9 Speed Mountain Bike Cassette

CSHG4009236
Silver
12-36
SHIMANO HG400 9 Speed Mountain Bike Cassette Cover
SHIMANO HG400 9 Speed Mountain Bike Cassette - CS-HG400-9 (12-36) [Misc.]

The SHIMANO 9-Speed Cassette is an Alivio CS-HG400 cassette designed for mountain bikes. It is lightweight and easy to install. With a weight of only 0.44 kg, it is easy to carry around and replace on your bike. The cassette is 9-speed, which provides a smooth shifting experience during rides. The item package dimensions are designed to fit most mountain bikes. The cassette is 7.6 cm long, 15.7 cm wide, and 16.5 cm high. This cassette is perfect for avid mountain bikers who want a reliable and efficient shifting experience.

What We Like
Lightweight
Easy to install
Smooth shifting
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are cassettes or freewheels better?

Which is better? A freewheel has a lower number of gears so is better suited for casual riders who don't require the larger selection of gears available from a cassette. It's much better coasting, allowing you to rest your legs, and if done correctly, can be useful when climbing hills and easier coming down them.

2. Are all Shimano 12 speed cassettes compatible?

Both 12-speed setups from SRAM and Shimano share the same sprocket spacings and it's the same with both brand's 11-speed groups. That means that if you want to run a 12-speed Shimano group but don't want to get a Micro Spline hub, you could use a SRAM 12-speed cassette with either an XD or HG freehub body.

3. What are freewheels on a bike?

The freewheel is a ratchet, a mechanism that allows motion in only one direction. In the case of a bicycle, it allows the chain to transfer power only from the pedals to the wheel, not in the other direction.

Editor's Notes

During our 12 speed bike cassettes & freewheel research, we found 24 12 speed bike cassettes & freewheel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 25,421 customer reviews through our big data system to write the 12 speed bike cassettes & freewheels list. We found that most customers choose 12 speed bike cassettes & freewheels with an average price of $28.55.

The 12 speed bike cassettes & freewheels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of 12 speed bike cassettes & freewheels, including SHIMANO, SRAM, DRIFT MANIAC, Zenlux. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 911 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Jason Kiser Avatar

Jason Kiser is an editor who lives in California, he previously worked in a travel agency for ten years, which enabled him to travel a number of interesting countries and experience several different cultures along the way. His range of job and travel experiences grant him expertise in hiking, camping, outdoors and fitness.