Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I’ve recommended these super lightweight bicycle cassettes from AliExpress many times, but it looks like they could have an issue…
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below): srko.co/tracevelo
These lightweight SLR Gen3 cassettes from a brand called ZTTO on AliExpress, are pretty incredible for the price. They are MUCH lighter than the equivalent cassettes from Shimano or SRAM, and you can find them for around £60-£70. They use some very intricate and frankly, quite good looking CNC work, and come in a bunch of colours and sizes.
The largest 3 gears are machined from a single block of 7075 aluminium, while the rest are made from a single block of steel, however it’s the aluminium gears that could be a problem.
A viewer sent me some pictures of his cassette where the top two aluminium sprockets had completely sheared or snapped off the back of the cassette. After taking a more detailed look at the design, it’s quite easy to see how this could have happened.
I have run these cassettes on my road bikes for over a year at this point, with no real issues, but it looks like it might be a good idea to proceed with caution when it comes to the 11-36 version of this cassette…
AliExpress affiliate links below ↓
FYI, It wont cost you any extra, but I get a little kickback from AliExpress, which helps!
Ztto SLR Gen3 cassettes:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4VLune7
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3OHmkWX
Ztto SLR Gen2 cassettes:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4BZaFMr
Ztto ULT full steel cassettes:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3yroFwB
SROAD/SPEDAO cassettes (also a good option):
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4ExXdhd
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:33 – ZTTO SLR Gen3 cassette failure
01:24 – Cassette design
02:34 – Why haven't mine broken?
03:58 – Does use-case matter?
05:05 – Should I be worried?
07:10 – Alternative cassettes
08:21 – Bonus clip
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
I’ve recommended these super lightweight bicycle cassettes from AliExpress many times, but it looks like they could have an issue…
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below): srko.co/tracevelo
These lightweight SLR Gen3 cassettes from a brand called ZTTO on AliExpress, are pretty incredible for the price. They are MUCH lighter than the equivalent cassettes from Shimano or SRAM, and you can find them for around £60-£70. They use some very intricate and frankly, quite good looking CNC work, and come in a bunch of colours and sizes.
The largest 3 gears are machined from a single block of 7075 aluminium, while the rest are made from a single block of steel, however it’s the aluminium gears that could be a problem.
A viewer sent me some pictures of his cassette where the top two aluminium sprockets had completely sheared or snapped off the back of the cassette. After taking a more detailed look at the design, it’s quite easy to see how this could have happened.
I have run these cassettes on my road bikes for over a year at this point, with no real issues, but it looks like it might be a good idea to proceed with caution when it comes to the 11-36 version of this cassette…
AliExpress affiliate links below ↓
FYI, It wont cost you any extra, but I get a little kickback from AliExpress, which helps!
Ztto SLR Gen3 cassettes:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4VLune7
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3OHmkWX
Ztto SLR Gen2 cassettes:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4BZaFMr
Ztto ULT full steel cassettes:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3yroFwB
SROAD/SPEDAO cassettes (also a good option):
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4ExXdhd
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:33 – ZTTO SLR Gen3 cassette failure
01:24 – Cassette design
02:34 – Why haven't mine broken?
03:58 – Does use-case matter?
05:05 – Should I be worried?
07:10 – Alternative cassettes
08:21 – Bonus clip
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
instagram.com/tracevelo
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
