Cluster

Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Glossary · letter C
← Club Bicycle · C.L.W.B. →

A group of rear sprockets on a multi-speed bicycle. If the bicycle uses a thread-on freewheel, the term "cluster" describes the entire assembly including the freewheel mechanism. In the case of a cassette hub, the "cluster" consists of the sprockets and the spacers that separate them.

Threaded Freewheel

Threaded Hub

Cassette Hub

Cassette Cluster

The term "cluster" is used generically for any set of multiple rear sprockets, including both the freewheel style and the cassette. Many cyclists are confused by this important distinction, so I've written a special page explaining the difference between Freewheels and Cassettes, and how to tell them apart.

See also seat cluster.

Copyright © 1996, 2008 Sheldon Brown

Original: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_cl.html#cluster · Reproduced on en.wikipedalia.com with permission, all rights reserved.