Using the machining skills of E13 Components, 3T Bike is offering the Bailout Cassette, an 9-32 tooth road cassette optimized for single ring drivetrains with a 33, 40, or 44T option for flatter or rolling routes where an occasional "bailout" may be needed on a steeper hill. The Bailout features 9-10-11-12-13-15-17-19-22-26-32 cogs offering more tightly spaced top end (harder) gears for quick efficient shifts at greater speed, but with larger jumps from 19 on up. The 6T final jump from the 26-32 cog is the "bailout" gear.

The machined, black anodized 32T cog and spider assembly are machined from 7075-T6 aluminum, while the remainder of the cogs are heat treated steel. The SRAM XD or XDR driver style hub system must be used to accommodate the 9 and 10 cogs. At 240 grams for such a unique, wide range cassette, keeping the weight down was clearly an engineering goal.

The Bailout was developed to add greater functionality and make the single ring road Strada and Exploro set-ups more viable for both 700c and 27.5" wheels. 3T is also offering the Overdrive version, which has the same range but a different spacing in the middle gears. The Bailout will function with any rear derailleur that works with a 32T large cog, and with Shimano, SRAM and KMC 11-speed chains.

A few notes on the packaging and instructions. 3T includes a detailed installation/removal instruction pamphlet that is slipped into the edge of the box containing the cassette. Read it carefully before opening the plastic wrap on the cassette itself and make sure you recognize that installing and removing require very specific processes and tool requirement. The Bailout is a multi-piece assembly that comes all slipped (not fastened) together and there is a small set-screw you really can't afford to lose. Be prepared to buy or have on hand a second chain whip or chain plier if you intend to do the work yourself.

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