Is the Super73 10-Speed Kit Worth It? A Complete Review and Install Guide

Quick Answer

• The Super73 10-Speed Kit is a worthwhile upgrade for riders seeking improved climbing ability and a wider gear range, especially for hilly terrain or heavier loads.
• Installation is moderately difficult, requiring specific tools and a methodical approach.
• The decision hinges on your riding environment and tolerance for DIY installation.

Who This Is For

• Super73 owners who frequently encounter steep inclines or carry significant weight.
• DIY enthusiasts comfortable with bicycle drivetrain mechanics and willing to invest time in the installation process.

What to Check First

Before diving into the installation of the Super73 10-Speed Kit, it’s crucial to assess your current setup and readiness. This will save you time and prevent potential frustration during the process.

• Existing Drivetrain Compatibility: Verify your Super73 model’s frame and rear hub are designed to accept a 10-speed cassette. Older models or specific configurations might require additional adapters or may not be compatible. Check your bike’s manual or the Super73 website for specific compatibility notes.
• Tool Availability: Ensure you have the necessary tools for a drivetrain overhaul. This typically includes a cassette lockring tool, chain whip, chain breaker, torque wrench, and Allen keys. Missing a key tool can halt the installation.
• Component Condition: Inspect your current chain, derailleur, and shifter. If these components are worn, it’s often best to replace them alongside the new cassette and potentially the shifter for optimal performance.
• Workspace: Designate a clean, well-lit, and organized space for the installation. Having a bike stand can significantly simplify the process.

Is the Super73 10 Speed Kit Worth It? A Complete Review and Install Guide

Deciding whether the Super73 10-Speed Kit is a worthwhile investment depends heavily on your riding habits and expectations. For many riders, the allure of a broader gear range is undeniable, particularly if their typical routes involve not only flat stretches. The stock gearing on many Super73 models is optimized for simplicity and urban cruising, but it can leave riders wanting more when faced with challenging gradients.

The primary benefit of the 10-speed upgrade is the enhanced ability to tackle hills. A wider cassette, with larger sprockets at the lower end, provides easier gears that significantly reduce the physical effort required to ascend inclines. This translates to a more enjoyable ride, reducing the strain on your legs and allowing you to maintain momentum where you might otherwise struggle or need to rely solely on the motor. Beyond climbing, the additional gears also offer finer control over cadence, allowing riders to stay within their preferred pedaling RPM range more consistently, whether cruising on flats or descending.

However, the value proposition shifts when considering the installation complexity and your riding environment. If your Super73 primarily sees use on flat city streets or paved paths with minimal elevation changes, the benefits of the 10-speed kit might be marginal. In such cases, the cost and effort of the upgrade might not justify the relatively minor improvements. The decision criterion for whether is the Super73 10 speed kit worth it a complete review and install guide hinges on this: If your average ride includes more than 100 feet of elevation gain per mile, the kit is likely worth the investment. If your average ride has less than 50 feet of elevation gain per mile, the kit’s value diminishes significantly.

Step-by-Step Plan: Installing the Super73 10-Speed Kit

This guide outlines the general steps for installing the Super73 10-Speed Kit. Always refer to the specific instructions provided with your kit and consult your Super73’s manual for model-specific details.

1. Remove Rear Wheel:

• Action: Safely lift the rear of the bike using a stand or by inverting it. Disconnect the brake cable or hydraulic line if necessary for clearance. Loosen and remove the axle nuts.
• What to look for: Ensure the wheel is completely free before attempting to pull it out. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers.
• Mistake: Forcing the wheel out without fully loosening the axle nuts or disconnecting necessary cables, which can damage components.

2. Remove Old Cassette:

• Action: Use a chain whip to hold the cassette in place while using a cassette lockring tool (with a handle) to unscrew the lockring counter-clockwise. Slide the old cassette off the freehub body.
• What to look for: The lockring is threaded, so it loosens in the opposite direction of normal threading. Ensure the cassette body is clean before proceeding.
• Mistake: Not using a chain whip to prevent the freehub from spinning, making it impossible to remove the lockring, or cross-threading the lockring upon reinstallation.

3. Install New 10-Speed Cassette:

• Action: Slide the new 10-speed cassette onto the freehub body, ensuring it engages correctly with the splines. Thread the new lockring on by hand, then tighten it securely with the cassette lockring tool, using a torque wrench to the manufacturer’s specification (typically 30-40 Nm).
• What to look for: The cassette should slide on smoothly. The lockring needs to be seated properly before tightening to avoid damage.
• Mistake: Installing the cassette backward or failing to tighten the lockring sufficiently, which can lead to the cassette coming loose while riding.

4. Install New Chain:

• Action: Measure the new chain against the old one for approximate length. Loop the chain through the derailleur and around the cassette and chainring. Use a chain breaker tool to size the new chain, connecting the ends with a master link or connecting pin.
• What to look for: The chain should have the correct tension – not too tight, not too loose. Ensure the master link is properly seated and locked.
• Mistake: Cutting the chain too short (causing binding) or too long (causing skipping and poor shifting), or failing to securely connect the chain.

5. Install New Shifter and Cable:

• Action: Mount the new 10-speed shifter to your handlebars. Route the new shifter cable through the shifter and down to the rear derailleur, securing it at the derailleur’s cable anchor bolt. Trim excess cable housing and cable, and install cable end caps.
• What to look for: Smooth cable routing without sharp bends or kinks. The cable should be taut enough to engage the derailleur but allow for adjustment.
• Mistake: Kinked cables, improper cable tension, or not securing the cable at the derailleur, all of which will lead to poor or no shifting.

6. Adjust Rear Derailleur:

• Action: Using the barrel adjusters on the shifter and derailleur, fine-tune the cable tension to achieve smooth and accurate gear changes across all 10 cogs. Adjust the limit screws (H and L) to prevent the chain from dropping off the smallest or largest cogs.
• What to look for: The derailleur should move precisely when shifting. The chain should not hesitate or jump when shifting up or down.
• Mistake: Incorrectly set limit screws can cause the chain to fall off the cassette, potentially damaging the wheel or derailleur, or prevent shifting into the highest or lowest gears.

7. Test Ride and Fine-Tune:

• Action: Take the bike for a short, controlled test ride. Shift through all gears, listening for any grinding or hesitation. Make minor adjustments to the barrel adjuster as needed for optimal shifting performance.
• What to look for: Smooth, quiet shifting in both directions. No skipping or clunking sounds.
• Mistake: Skipping the fine-tuning step, leading to a suboptimal riding experience and potential component wear.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect Chain Length — Failing to measure the new chain accurately can result in a chain that is too tight, causing drivetrain strain and poor shifting, or too long, leading to chain slack, skipping, and potential derailment. Always measure against the old chain or follow manufacturer guidelines.
• Improper Lockring Tightness — The cassette lockring must be torqued to the manufacturer’s specification (typically 30-40 Nm). Under-tightening can cause the cassette to slip on the freehub, damaging both components. Over-tightening can strip the threads.
• Kinked Shifter Cables — Shifter cables need to run smoothly without sharp bends. Kinks create friction, making shifting sluggish, inaccurate, or impossible. Ensure all cable housing is routed cleanly and cut to the correct length.
• Ignoring Limit Screw Adjustment — The High (H) and Low (L) limit screws on the rear derailleur prevent the chain from over-shifting off the cassette. Failing to set these correctly can lead to the chain falling off, potentially causing damage to the wheel spokes or derailleur.
• Using the Wrong Tools — Attempting to remove or install cassette lockrings without the proper lockring tool and chain whip will likely result in stripped parts and frustration. Using a torque wrench for the lockring ensures it’s tightened correctly.

FAQ

• Q: Will the 10-speed kit void my Super73 warranty?

A: Modifying your bike’s drivetrain can sometimes affect warranty coverage for related components. It’s best to check Super73’s official warranty policy or contact their support directly for clarification before proceeding with the installation.

• Q: Do I need to upgrade my derailleur and shifter to 10-speed compatible parts?

A: Yes, to achieve optimal performance with a 10-speed cassette, you must use a 10-speed compatible rear derailleur and shifter. While some 9-speed shifters might technically pull enough cable for a 10-speed system, the indexing will be imprecise, leading to poor shifting.

• Q: How much does the Super73 10-Speed Kit typically cost?

A: The price of the Super73 10-Speed Kit can vary. You can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 for the kit itself, depending on the specific components included and the retailer. Installation costs, if you opt for professional help, will be additional.

• Q: What is the difference between a cassette and a freewheel?

A: A cassette is a set of sprockets that slides onto a splined freehub body, which is integrated into the rear wheel hub. A freewheel is a self-contained unit that threads directly onto the hub. Most modern bikes, including Super73s, use cassettes. The 10-speed kit replaces your existing cassette.

Is the Super73 10 Speed Kit Worth It? A Complete Review and Install Guide Checklist

Use this checklist to determine if the Super73 10-Speed Kit is the right upgrade for your needs and readiness.

• [ ] Terrain Assessment: Does your typical riding route involve significant hills (average gradient exceeding 5% or 100 ft elevation gain per mile)?
• [ ] Riding Load: Do you frequently carry heavy loads, a passenger, or tow a trailer, making climbing more challenging with stock gearing?
• [ ] Mechanical Aptitude: Are you comfortable with bicycle maintenance and possess the necessary tools (cassette tool, chain whip, torque wrench)?
• [ ] Budget Allocation: Have you factored in the cost of the kit and potential additional components (chain, shifter, derailleur) if needed?
• [ ] Warranty Consideration: Are you aware of and comfortable with potential warranty implications of modifying your drivetrain?
• [ ] Performance Expectation: Are you seeking a noticeable improvement in climbing ability and gear range, rather than just minor adjustments?

If you answered “Yes” to the first two questions and are comfortable with the remaining points, the 10-speed kit is likely a worthwhile upgrade.

Expert Tips for Drivetrain Upgrades

• Tip 1: Cleanliness is Key.
• Actionable Step: Before installing any new drivetrain components, thoroughly clean your existing chainring, derailleur pulleys, and freehub body.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Installing new parts onto a dirty drivetrain. This introduces grit into your new components, reducing their lifespan and performance from the start.

• Tip 2: Use a Torque Wrench for Critical Fasteners.
• Actionable Step: Always use a torque wrench to tighten the cassette lockring and derailleur anchor bolt to the manufacturer’s specified torque values.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Overtightening or undertightening these critical fasteners. Overtightening can strip threads or damage components, while undertightening can lead to parts coming loose, posing a safety risk.

• Tip 3: Double-Check Derailleur Hanger Alignment.
• Actionable Step: After installing the new cassette and derailleur, inspect the derailleur hanger for bends. If it appears bent, use a derailleur hanger alignment tool to straighten it.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Failing to check derailleur hanger alignment. A bent hanger will cause persistent shifting issues, no matter how perfectly you adjust the derailleur itself.

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