Best 12 Speed Bike Cassettes & Freewheels of 2026
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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
Top 9 12 Speed Bike Cassettes & Freewheels
SRAM XG-1275 GX Eagle Cassette
The SRAM XG-1275 GX Eagle 12-Speed Cassette features durable steel cog material and comes in two cog sizes, 10-50t and 10-52t, with a SRAM XD freehub type. At 1lb 15.9oz, the cassette is lightweight and easy to install. This cassette is perfect for serious cyclists who want reliable shifting performance on challenging terrain.
SHIMANO Alivio 7-Speed Mountain Bike Cassette - CS-HG200-8 (12-32)
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.
SRAM NX Eagle PG-1230 Cassette
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.
SHIMANO 105 CS-R7101 12-Speed Cassette
The SHIMANO 105 12-Speed Cassette offers smooth and precise gear changes, making it easier for you to tackle different terrains with confidence. Its lightweight and durable build helps improve your bike's responsiveness while keeping the overall weight down, which is great for both competitive riding and casual enthusiasts. This cassette works well with HG 12-speed chains and fits new 12-speed or 11-speed road freehub bodies, so you can easily upgrade without worrying about compatibility. With an 11-34 tooth range, you get a versatile selection of gears that help you sprint on flats and climb steep hills comfortably, perfect for road biking, endurance rides, or racing.
SHIMANO XT CS-M8100 Cassette
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.
Shimano Ultegra R8101 12-Speed Cassette
The Shimano Ultegra 12-Speed cassette is designed to give you smooth, reliable shifting thanks to its steel cogs with finely crafted teeth. This means you can trust it to perform well even on tough rides. Its HYPERGLIDE+ technology ensures quick and seamless gear changes, making your cycling experience more efficient and comfortable no matter the terrain. The cassette works with both 12-speed and 11-speed freehub bodies, so upgrading your bike is simple and hassle-free. Plus, with its lightweight design and sleek silver finish, it adds style and performance without weighing you down, ideal for serious cyclists looking to improve their ride.
SRAM Rival AXS XG-1250 12-Speed Cassette
The SRAM Rival 12-Speed Cassette is designed to improve your cycling with smooth and precise gear changes thanks to its X-Range gearing, which offers a natural progression and a wide gear range ideal for both road and gravel rides. Its nickel chrome plating and FULL PIN construction ensure quiet operation and long-lasting durability, so you can rely on it for many miles. Made specifically for use with an XDR driver body, this cassette fits perfectly into high-performance setups. Starting with a 10-tooth smallest gear, it provides accurate shifting and versatile gearing to tackle varied terrain with ease.
SHIMANO SLX CS-M7100 Cassette
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.
BUCKLOS 8-12 Speed Bike Cassette
The BUCKLOS Multi-Speed Cassette offers you a versatile gear range with 8 to 12 speeds, making it ideal for smooth shifting whether you're on flat roads, climbing hills, or tackling rough terrain. Its high-strength steel build ensures durability and resistance to wear, while the nickel-plated surface protects against rust and corrosion, so your cassette lasts longer. The close spacing between gears allows for quiet and precise shifting, enhancing your riding experience without distracting noise. Plus, its design includes easy-to-clean surfaces and simple installation, so maintaining your bike is hassle-free and convenient.
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.
During our 12 speed bike cassettes & freewheel research, we found 24 12 speed bike cassettes & freewheel products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 15,065 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 $31.99.
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 SRAM, SHIMANO, BUCKLOS. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,483 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
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.