Shimano 11-Speed Sprocket Types and Differences

Types of Shimano 11-Speed (11s) Sprockets and Key Points When Choosing

Shimano’s 11-speed sprockets mainly use “HYPERGLIDE technology”¹, but there are also “LINKGLIDE technology”² models adopted for e-bikes and the new “CUES” components.

Both HYPERGLIDE and LINKGLIDE are Shimano shifting technologies, but they are not compatible with each other. Therefore, when choosing a Shimano 11-speed sprocket, it is important to check whether the shifting technology matches your drivetrain.

Also, note that Shimano 11-speed sprockets have two types of compatible freehub bodies: “HG spline L” and “HG spline M.”

For more details about 11-speed sprocket compatibility, please refer to the article below.

HYPERGLIDE 11-Speed Road Sprockets: Model and Weight Comparison

The tooth configurations of HYPERGLIDE 11-speed road sprockets vary significantly by series.

The higher the grade, the more cross-ratio options are available, and newer series have wider configurations than older ones. Therefore, depending on preference, one might deliberately choose an older model.

For road HYPERGLIDE 11-speed sprockets, freehub compatibility is “HG spline M” only for “CS-HG800 11S” and “CS-HG700-11”; others use the so-called Shimano 11-speed wheel “HG spline L”.

CS-R9100

Shimano’s previous generation top-tier road bike component, the DURA-ACE R9100 series 11-speed sprocket. The five largest cogs on the low end are titanium, balancing rigidity and light weight. However, the 11-23T (165g) option from the previous CS-9000 model was removed, making the lightest option the 11-25T at 175g.

Designed for road bikes, it mainly features cross-ratio gear configurations, with a lineup that includes a maximum 30T low gear to take advantage of the 11-speed range.

CS-R8000

The Shimano ULTEGRA previous generation R8000 series sprockets for road bikes. Unlike the DURA-ACE CS-R9100, it does not have titanium teeth, making it more affordable. Although it lacks titanium gears, it is a lightweight sprocket at 232g, offering an excellent balance between price and weight.

Covering a wide range from 11-25T to a maximum of 11-32T, it also includes extremely cross-ratio sprockets like 14-28T, making it a versatile product chosen for upgrades from 105 and for weight reduction.

CS-R7000

The Shimano 105 previous generation R7000 series sprockets for road bikes. Compared to the one grade higher CS-R8000, it has fewer tooth configuration options and is heavier.

As an 11-speed for road use, the 105 R7000 series is considered entry-level, so it is not chosen as an upgrade, but its advantage is that it offers a variety of sprockets with different types such as cross-ratio and wide-ratio at an affordable price.

CS-HG800 11S

Although the CS-HG800 does not include the R8000 series name in its product title, it is an ULTEGRA-grade 11-speed sprocket.

The major difference from other road 11-speed sprockets is that the overall thickness of the sprocket is the same as a 10-speed sprocket (designed so that 11-speed can be used on 10-speed wheels).

The mechanism works by increasing the thickness of the sprocket towards the inside (spoke side), rather than outward, allowing 11-speed compatibility even with 10-speed wheels.

Due to its special design, a supplied spacer is required when using it with 11-speed wheels. Also, unlike other 11-speed sprockets, it is only available in a wide-ratio 11-34T configuration (likely because a smaller largest cog would interfere with the spokes), making it somewhat unique.

CS-HG700-11

An 11-speed sprocket in the 105 grade. Like the CS-HG800 11S, it is compatible with 8, 9, and 10-speed freehubs, so it can also be used for 11-speed MTB setups.

It has the same tooth configuration as the CS-HG800 11S, but as a more affordable version, it is about 10% heavier.

CS-9000

The CS-9000 is a sprocket from Shimano’s top-tier road bike component group, DURA-ACE, two generations prior. The five largest cogs are made of titanium, achieving both rigidity and light weight (165g for the 11-23T).

The tooth configuration is heavily cross-ratio focused, making it truly race-grade.

CS-6800

The CS-6800 is a sprocket from Shimano’s upper-tier road bike component group, ULTEGRA, two generations prior. Despite being 11-speed, it is notable for its light weight of 212g in the 11-23T configuration.

At the time of release, it offered a balanced lineup of tooth configurations ranging from wide-ratio to cross-ratio, but with the current trend towards wider ratios, the maximum 11-28T might feel somewhat biased towards cross-ratio.

CS-5800

The CS-5800 is a sprocket from Shimano’s race-ready road bike component group, 105, two generations prior. Even in its lightest 12-25T configuration, it weighs 269g, making it heavier compared to higher-grade models.

The tooth configuration is somewhat biased toward wide-ratio and offers fewer options, so if you want finer gear ratios, you’ll need to choose a higher-grade model. However, with the current preference for wide-ratio sprockets, it can actually be considered an easy-to-choose option.

HYPERGLIDE 11-Speed Sprockets (MTB): Model and Weight Comparison

HYPERGLIDE 11-speed sprockets for MTB feature ultra-wide ratio configurations that lead into 12-speed setups. All models are compatible with “HG spline M” freehub bodies.

CS-M9001

The CS-M9001 is a sprocket from Shimano’s previous generation top-tier MTB component group, XTR M9000 series. It features an ultra-wide ratio gear configuration of 11-40T.

Like the top-tier road DURA-ACE sprockets, titanium gears are used on the low (large) end, with the 40T cog being made of aluminum.

CS-M8000

The CS-M8000 is an 11-speed sprocket from Shimano’s previous generation DEORE XT series for MTB.

It offers three options for the largest low gear: 40T, 42T, and 46T, featuring an ultra-wide ratio configuration while maintaining a lightweight design in the 400g range.

For an ultra-wide ratio, lightweight, and cost-balanced 11-speed sprocket, the CS-M8000 is a top choice.

CS-M7000-11

The CS-M7000-11 is an 11-speed sprocket from Shimano’s previous generation SLX series for MTB.

The lineup includes ultra-wide ratio options of 11-40T, 11-42T, and 11-46T, exactly the same as the CS-M8000, positioning it as a more affordable version of the CS-M8000 series.

While it is less expensive than the CS-M8000, it is about 10% heavier, so your choice will depend on whether you prioritize price or weight.

CS-M5100-11

The CS-M5100-11 is the current model sprocket from Shimano’s upper-tier DEORE 11-speed MTB component group. While Shimano does not officially publish its weight, it appears to be considerably heavier compared to the SLX-grade CS-M7000-11.

An ultra-wide ratio 11-51T option is available in the lineup, but when using the 11-51T, you need to be mindful of your rear derailleur’s capacity due to the large difference between the high and low gears.

LINKGLIDE 11-Speed Sprockets: Model and Weight Comparison

Shimano’s LINKGLIDE 11-speed sprockets were previously available only as part of the Deore XT 11s LINKGLIDE component group for e-bikes. However, with the introduction of the new “CUES 11s” component group, there are now three models.

The tooth configurations are very simple, with only two options: “11-45T” and “11-50T”[1].

CS-LG700-11

This is the sprocket from Shimano’s new top-tier CUES component group, the “U8000” series. Initially, only the 11-50T option was available, but with the addition of the 11-45T, it has become easier to choose according to your needs.

The use of an aluminum spider helps reduce the cassette’s weight, but even so, it is still considerably heavier compared to other MTB sprockets.

CS-LG600-11

The CS-LG600-11 is a sprocket from Shimano’s upper-tier MTB “Deore XT 11s LINKGLIDE” series. It is available only in the 11-50T configuration.

CS-LG400-11

The CS-LG400-11 is a sprocket from Shimano’s new mid-grade CUES component group, the “U6000” series. Like the CS-LG700-11, the addition of the 11-45T option has made it easier to choose according to your needs.

The weight has not been published, but if it is heavier than the CS-LG700-11, it is likely to be a heavyweight sprocket.[1]

Points to Consider When Choosing

Differences in Material, Finish, and Weight

Shimano’s 11-speed sprockets can mainly be divided into three grades based on material.

1. Top-tier models with titanium gears (CS-R9100, CS-9000, CS-M9001)
2. Lightweight aluminum upper models (CS-R8000, CS-6800)
3. Standard aluminum models (CS-R7000)
4. Steel and aluminum combination models (such as CS-M8000)

The top-tier titanium models are “lightweight and highly rigid” but expensive. On the other hand, the lightweight aluminum models are heavier than titanium but offer weight reduction while being reasonably priced.

Meanwhile, the standard aluminum models may increase weight when upgrading from 10-speed due to the higher number of teeth in 11-speed, so caution is needed if weight reduction is a priority.

Differences in Tooth Count

In Shimano’s 11-speed sprockets, the concepts of cross-ratio and wide-ratio have somewhat changed.

1. Cross-ratio -> 11-23T, 11-25T
2. Wide-ratio -> 11-28T, 11-30T, 11-32T, 11-34T, 11-36T
3. Ultra-wide ratio -> 11-40T, 11-42T, 11-46T, 11-51T

Up to 10-speed, the maximum wide ratio was around 11-34T or 11-36T, but for MTB 11-speed, ultra-wide ratios up to 11-51T have appeared[1].

MTB Cannot Generally Use Road 11-Speed Sprockets

Even though both are 11-speed, there is a difference in the freehub height compatibility between road and MTB 11-speed sprockets. This is because the road 11-speed standard was made taller than the 8, 9, and 10-speed freehubs when it was introduced, whereas the MTB 11-speed was designed to be compatible with the existing 8, 9, and 10-speed freehubs.

Therefore, road 11-speed sprockets do not fit MTB freehubs (they are not tall enough) and cannot be used.

Ultra-wide ratio MTB sprockets can be installed on road 11-speed freehubs using a 1.85mm spacer, but then the derailleur capacity becomes an issue, making ultra-wide ratio MTB 11-speed sprockets incompatible.

As a result, the only 11-speed sprockets that Shimano designates as compatible for both road and MTB use are the CS-HG800 11S and CS-HG700-11.

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For the latest compatibility with 12-speed, please refer to the article below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shimano 11-Speed Cassettes