When faced with big riding in the hills, there are a couple of ways to make life easier.
You could change the chainrings, but with with a lot of bikes being specced with compact chainsets there isn't very much wiggle room.
Instead, fitting a new cassette with lower ratios is the most effective way to go. It's a bit of a job, but it isn't too difficult, and actually just pairs together a lot of the things we've gone over in the past.
The first job is to shift down to the smallest sprocket on the back and remove the crimp for the rear derailleur cable, then undo the clamp. Once done, remove the rear wheel.
If you're only going up to a 28t cassette then you'll be fine with the rear derailleur that you have specced. However, if you're adding a 32t body to the rear then you'll need to swap in out of a longer cage derailleur – GS in Shimano's case, or the equivalent for other brands.
You'll need to break the chain using masterlink pliers
Now it's time to remove the chain. If it has a quick link you'll need to use your masterlink pliers to get it off. Alternatively, just use a chain tool to break it. Once you've got rid of that, use an allen key to take the rear derailleur off.
The next step is to remove the cassette. For this, you'll need to place the chain whip on the cassette (so that is stops it rotating) and then use the lockring tool to undo the lockring. The cassette should then slide off the free hub body.
If in the rare occasion it is stronger than the freehub body metal it might bite into it but a couple of nocks should bring it free.
Fitting the new, larger cassette is simply a case of lining up the splines and slotting it onto the freehub body. Tighten with the lockring tool to 14nm.
After re-fitting the wheel it's time to measure the new chain's length. Fit the new chain over the largest sprocket and the largest chainring. Check the length (so it is as tight as it can be) and then add two links to it. Using your chain tool remove the links that you don't need.
Now it is time to fit your new derailleur if you're going to use one. Then fit the new chain, right way round and in the correct direction. You can join it using your preferred method, whether that's joining pin of quick link.
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