KMC reveal their first cassette

Chain manufacturer KMC has announced the development of their first cassette. The new tech is designed to work with both KMC and alternative chains. The cassette is called the React and uses a proprietary design to optimise shifting.

The technology used in the design has been called Flow Control, which features dual shifting ramps for smooth and steady gear changes. The brand claims that by ramping the tooth profile it will help in lifting and lowering the chain as it moves across the cassette.

KMC also claim that a wider tooth profile can reduce friction as well as increase the durability of the cassette. Although the cassettes have been specifically designed for optimal use with KMC chains the new teeth profiles will work well with other brands.

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Available in both 10 and 11-speed offerings, the React cassettes have their sights firmly set on gravel and mountain bike riding, featuring wide ratio options only. For the 11-speed cassettes, there is a choice between 11-42 or 11-50 and for 10-speed there is a choice of 11-36 or 11-42.

Wider ratio cassettes have been slowly taking over the industry in the past few years with the use of easier gears opening up cycling on challenging terrain and to more riders. We have even seen a trend in pro racing for riders to frequently reach for 11-34 tooth cassettes - up from 11-28 just a few years ago. The ability to keep your legs spinning at your desired cadence greatly improves your fatigue resistance and power output, making wide-ratio cassettes an attractive upgrade.

The cassettes all come with a Shimano HG freehub fitment and have specific ratios to best handle the jumps to the larger sprockets.

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Bucking the current trend of the bike industry the React cassette has a retail price of $65 making it a very budget-friendly upgrade option that aims to balance cost with the inclusion of technology.

What do you think of KMC expanding their product range? Let us know in the comments section below.