Is There a Risk of Abnormal Wear When Using a 12-Speed Chain on an 11-Speed Cassette?

Question

I’m concerned about what other people say is abnormal wear and tear on my cassette when I install a 12 speed chain on an 11 cassette system. Should I be worried?

Answer 1

From a long-term experiment, there are no major striking reports of abnormal wear on the 11-speed cassette when using a 12-speed SRAM AXS Flattop chain. Perhaps there are slight scars on some of the cassette teeth, but generally, key problems were absent. Still, it is a good practice to inspect your gear on a regular basis and look for professional opinion when noticing any abnormal wear.

Comments

I recently heard somewhere the 11Spped cassette is 0.2 mm wider. Probably minimal wear to the naked eye. Got the same set up on my trainer, no issues. I run a lot of erg mode when on - Trainer Road.

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Im not an expert neither but this is my take. Wear is not noticeable at plain eyesight. You will notice during shifting, when chain skips, etc.

Question, do you thing I can match a 12 Sram Red AXS crankset with an Ultegra 11 speed derailleur? I just scored the crankset for $299 brand new from official retailer.

Great content. No one, not even in forums has sorted what you are showing out.

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Hi JM, thanks for your explain

i’m just curious what if all of derailleur are wire mechanical like ultegra r8000 11s.  but the crankset use SRAM RED AXS 12 speed. what’s chain and cassette should i use? should i use 12s Sram chain too? and how about the cassette? is it works with 11s shimano cassette or i need to use 11s sram cassette.

Thanks