How do I open this cassette?

[hansie_a]

Hi
I have a new project on my hands and am trying to service a cassette of a bike I recently purchase second-hand. The bike I have is a MTB- Shockwave XT950. Can you please let me know how to open this cassette. I have tried various videos however I am unable to find a video for a similar cassette.


Thanks
Hx

[nfmisso]

We need pictures to be able to help you.  Remove the rear wheel, and quick release (if your bike has one), and take a picture along the axis of the axle toward the gear cluster.

Are you sure you have a cassette and not a freewheel?  See Sheldon Brown for explanation of the differences.

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/shockwave-xt950-mountain-bike/1847898
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shockwave-xt950-mountain-bike-/221735787055?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

These two appear to have freewheels, not cassettes. Freewheels are serviceable with the proper (expensive) tools, and more importantly the proper skillset - definitely not something for the financially or skill challenged, like most of us. Personally, I view freewheels as not being serviceable.

[1FJEF]

(04-07-2015, 07:08 PM)hansie_a Wrote:  Hi
I have a new project on my hands and am trying to service a cassette of a bike I recently purchase second-hand. The bike I have is a MTB- Shockwave XT950. Can you please let me know how to open this cassette. I have tried various videos however I am unable to find a video for a similar cassette.


Thanks
Hx

Nigel is right. It has a freewheel type rear wheel gear cluster. You can try dripping oil in the gap between the fixed & rotating parts of the freewheel.
You need a freewheel removal tool to match your freewheel, the  Shimano is very common in the US.
1) Identify the freewheel type, Shimano, Falcon etc....
2) Get the proper tool, or pay a local bike shop a fiver to remove it
3) Throw it in the recycle bin & install a new one.

[hansie_a]

Hi Nigel,
Thanks for your quick response. I am new to the geared bikes as I used to own a Old Skool bike (without gears). I realised my bike had a play in the rear wheel and that when I decided to check the bearings, etc. My current goal is to access the bearing behind the cassette and hence want to get the cassette off the body. The links below will provide access to the pictures. Can you please advise how can I access the bearing?

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/80/RcIPCZ.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img908/5825/v39tgT.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/5978/tI2rxz.jpg

Thanks
Hx

[nfmisso]

Hx;

First, lets be clear, you do NOT have a cassette.  Your bike has a freewheel. 

You need a special tool, Park Tool FR-1, but there are many other companies that make them, which looks like this:
http://media.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/1500/70-1285-NCL-TOP.JPG

Be VERY careful to purchase the correct tool, there are several different ones that look similar, but will not work on your freewheel.  In addition to the tool, you will need a large 1" or 25mm wrench, or a well secured vice (preferred).  

If you have a well secured vice, mount the tool in the vice and put the wheel over it, making sure to engage the splines completely, then turn the counter clockwise (easiest to leave the tire on, and inflate the tire to it's maximum recommended pressure.  It may be very difficult to turn.

If you don't have a vice, use one of the axle nuts to loosely secure the tool in place.

When you re-install a freewheel, very lightly (apply then wipe off) coat the threads with water proof grease; I use boat trailer wheel bearing greasing for all my bike grease applications.