Perfect Guide to Shimano 10-Speed Cassette Compatibility

Key Points to Understand Shimano 10-Speed Sprocket Compatibility

Shimano’s 10-speed sprocket compatibility is based on four key factors:

1. Shifting technology
2. Compatibility with wheels (freehub body)
3. New vs. old 10-speed
4. Compatibility with derailleurs

Although it may be a bit more complicated than other gear counts, if you check each factor carefully, you’ll be able to understand it clearly.

Shifting Technology and Compatibility

Shimano’s 10-speed sprockets are available in two types of shifting technologies:

1. HYPERGLIDE¹
2. LINKGLIDE²

While their names are similar, these two technologies are not compatible with each other, so you should first determine which technology your bike’s components are using.

If your components are “CUES 10s” or “DEORE 10s LINKGLIDE,” they use “LINKGLIDE.” All other components use “HYPERGLIDE.”

For detailed features of Shimano 10-speed sprockets and models, including cog configurations, refer to the article below.

Compatibility with Wheels (Freehub Body) and Presence of Spacers

Shimano’s 10-speed sprockets can be broadly classified into “HYPERGLIDE models” and “LINKGLIDE models,” with “HYPERGLIDE models” further split into “new 10-speed” and “old 10-speed.”

In other words, Shimano’s 10-speed sprockets have three types of compatibility:

1. HYPERGLIDE new 10-speed
2. HYPERGLIDE old 10-speed
3. LINKGLIDE 10-speed

The compatibility of each sprocket with freehub bodies is as follows:

All models are compatible with the “HG Spline M” freehub body, but there is a difference with “HYPERGLIDE old 10-speed” in that the sprocket height is 1mm lower than “HG Spline M.”

Therefore, using a 1mm spacer will make it compatible with other 10-speed sprockets.

Note that the sprockets with “1mm lower height, HYPERGLIDE old 10-speed” are only found in the following six old 10-speed components: CS-7900, CS-7800, CS-6700, CS-6600, CS-5700, and CS-5600³, and are not used in current Shimano 10-speed models.

For more information about Shimano freehub compatibility, refer to the article below.

Compatibility with Derailleurs

The compatibility of Shimano’s 10-speed sprockets with derailleurs is confirmed based on three aspects:

1. Shift technology
2. Compatible gear range and capacity
3. Compatible sprocket combinations

It is important to note that derailleurs of the same model may have different sub-codes based on the gear range, so attention is needed when checking compatibility.

What differentiates Shimano’s 10-speed system from others is the “compatible sprocket combinations.” These combinations are specific to the HYPERGLIDE series 10-speed sprockets only.

HYPERGLIDE Series

Shimano’s HYPERGLIDE technology 10-speed rear derailleurs come in a wide range, including both new and old 10-speed models, each with different cage sizes. This leads to a wide selection of available options.

Additionally, each rear derailleur is compatible with both new and old 10-speed sprockets.

※ Some models may not be compatible due to capacity limitations.

The SS (Short Cage) versions of RD-6700, RD-5700, and RD-4600 are not compatible with new 10-speed sprockets. However, the “CS-HG500-10⁸” sprocket, which is compatible with all 10-speed series, is still available.

LINKGLIDE Series

Shimano’s LINKGLIDE technology 10-speed rear derailleurs include models for current-lineups as follows:

There are three models in total, two for CUES 10s and one for Deore 10s with LINKGLIDE.

Note that the RD-U6020-10 is compatible with front double gear setups, while the other models are for single front gear setups only, resulting in significant differences in the number of teeth supported by the low gear.