Types and Differences of Shimano 7-Speed Sprockets

Posted at: Mar 16, 2021

Shimano 7-Speed Sprocket Types and DifferencesThis is a summary of the types and differences of Shimano's 7-speed sprockets, which are often used on low-cost road bikes and MTBs.

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Types of Shimano sprockets for 7-speed

CS-HG200-7

The sprockets of the current series of Shimano’s Tourney MTB components, which are designed for MTB use, have a wide-ratio gear configuration and a small number of gears (7), so the gear ratio difference between gears is extreme.

  • 12-14-16-18-21-24-28T (bm)
  • 12-14-16-18-21-26-32T (bp)

CS-HG200-7 | Shimano

CS-HG41-7

The sprocket of the current series of Shimano’s MTB component TOURNEY, which has a wide-ratio gear configuration since it is designed for MTB, and also has a small number of steps (7), making it Shimano’s MTB sprocket. The finish is shot chrome, and although it only has one gear ratio configuration, 11-28T, it has a top 11T, which the CS-HG200-7 does not, making it ideal for road bikes and other high speed riding.

  • 11-13-15-18-21-24-28T (ac)

CS-HG41-7 | Shimano

Where is the difference?

Difference in the number of teeth on the cog

Shimano’s 7-speed options are extremely limited due to the TOURNEY for MTB and its main use in city bicycles.

There are only 11T for top and 32T for low, and since there is no 11T-32T tooth count configuration that can cover both top and low, if you want a wide and usable gear ratio, you need at least an 8-speed.

Differences between models

Difference between CS-HG200-7 and CS-HG41-7

The difference between the CS-HG200-7 and the CS-HG41-7 is the tooth count configuration and finish: the CS-HG41-7 has a silver finish (shot chrome), which is common on Shimano sprockets, while the CS-HG200-7 is painted black.

In terms of tooth count composition, the following table shows a comparison based on the top.

  1. CS-HG200-7 is wide ratio from 12T CS-HG41-7 is a wide ratio from 11T

If speed is important, CS-HG41-7 is the best choice.

On the other hand, if you want a configuration with a large gear ratio, such as hill climbing, then the CS-HG200-7 with 32T on the low side would be your choice.

Pay attention to the choice of rear derailleur.

Shimano’s 7-speed model is the TOURNEY, and the TOURNEY rear derailleur comes in two models, one with a maximum low tooth count of 28T and the other with a maximum low tooth count of 34T. The maximum tooth count on the top side is also available in 11T and 12T models, so make sure it matches your sprocket.

If the capacity of the rear derailleur is insufficient, shifting will be sluggish, so this is an important point.

Note that the standard sprocket may not be boss-free.

For bicycles equipped with 7-speed class components, the sprocket type may be boss-free instead of cassette-free, which is the standard type for 8-speed and above.

All of the 7-speed sprockets introduced here are for cassette-free sprockets, so they cannot be installed on boss-free wheels.

Be sure to check which hub your current wheel has before purchasing.


We have looked at the different types of Shimano 7-speed sprockets and their differences.

Since most city bicycles are 6-speed models, Shimano’s 7-speed sprockets are mostly used on low-cost road bikes or MTBs, but given the lack of options, you should consider paying a little more and upgrading to 8-speed components such as Claris at the same time, rather than forcing yourself to customize your bike with 7-speed sprockets.

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