Spacer Requirement, Sorted
To verify spacer requirements, check whether your cassette is designed for a 10-speed native road freehub or for an 11-speed spaced freehub body. The Shimano 105 CS-HG700 Cassette is built to fit 10-speed native road freehubs and also includes a spacer for use with 11-speed spaced freehub bodies, which is the detail that matters here.
That means if you are mounting the Shimano 105 CS-HG700 Cassette onto an 11-speed spaced freehub body, the included spacer is the piece to confirm before installation. If your wheel uses a 10-speed native road freehub, that same spacer is not the reason this cassette fits. Different freehub spacing, different move. Simple, but worth getting right before the lockring goes on and the garage language gets colorful.
What To Look For
Start with the freehub standard on the wheel, not just the number of cogs you plan to run. The Shimano 105 CS-HG700 Cassette is an 11-speed cassette with an 11-34 range, and its design specifically covers both 10-speed native road freehubs and 11-speed spaced freehub bodies with the included spacer. It also works with mountain hubs using 9 through 11-speed spaced freehubs.
If your goal is using an existing wheel for road, gravel, touring, or cross duty, this cassette is made for exactly that kind of crossover setup. To verify fit, match your freehub spacing to the cassette's stated fit options and confirm whether the included spacer is needed for your freehub body.
How To Verify Spacer Use
Identify the freehub spacing. Confirm that your freehub has the correct spacing for this cassette. Spacer requirements depend on the freehub body, not just the cassette you want to run.
Check the cassette fit statement. The Shimano 105 CS-HG700 Cassette is designed to fit 10-speed native road freehubs and includes a spacer for use with 11-speed spaced freehub bodies.
Match the spacer to the freehub. If your wheel has an 11-speed spaced freehub body, verify that the included spacer is part of the install. If the wheel has a 10-speed native road freehub, that spacer is not the fit solution you are checking for.
Confirm your wheel category if needed. This cassette also works with mountain hubs using 9 through 11-speed spaced freehubs, which is useful if you are repurposing an existing wheelset.
Verify derailleur capacity before final install. The 11-34 range requires the correct derailleur and will not work with a short cage. Use a medium or long cage derailleur so the setup shifts properly once mounted.
Before You Tighten The Lockring
Do one last check that the cassette, freehub spacing, spacer use, and derailleur capacity all line up before riding.
Why This Cassette Makes Sense
The Shimano 105 CS-HG700 Cassette is built for riders who want broad compatibility without turning a drivetrain project into a science fair. Its 11-34 tooth spread gives you a wide range for road miles, mixed-surface rides, gravel loops, and touring days when the route bites back. That range helps you settle into a better cadence instead of grinding through the wrong gear.
Shimano also brings its Hyperglide tooth shaping and shifting ramp design into the mix, which helps support smooth shifting across changing terrain. It is the kind of detail you notice less in the stand and more when the road tilts up and your legs are asking for a cleaner shift right now.
Built For Real Use
The cogs are made from nickel-plated steel, so you get corrosion resistance and the toughness to handle off-road abuse. That matters if your wheelset sees more than one job description or if your rides bounce between pavement and dirt without much warning.
- Wide 11-34 gearing for varied terrain
- Hyperglide design for smooth shifting
- Nickel-plated steel for durability and longer life
- Fit options that support repurposed wheel setups
One important note: this cassette requires the correct derailleur and will not work with a short cage. Medium or long cage derailleurs are required for proper shifting.
Why Shop Backcountry
Compatibility questions are where a good build gets dialed—or derailed. That is why Backcountry keeps the focus on product details and practical setup considerations. No fluff, no mystery, just the kind of help that keeps a simple spacer question from turning into a full bench-side reroute.
If you are piecing together a road, gravel, touring, or cross setup from wheels already in the garage, this is the fun part: making smart parts play nicely together. Backcountry is built for that kind of project, with components chosen for riders who care how the whole system works once the ride starts.
When the goal is smooth shifting and fewer compatibility surprises, a little precision goes a long way. We are into that.
Why Buy the Shimano 105 CS-HG700 Cassette from Backcountry?
Compatibility questions are exactly where a drivetrain build gets dialed in, and every purchase comes with access to a Gearhead — a Backcountry-employed outdoor expert who actually uses the gear they sell. Not a chatbot. Not a scripted support agent. Gearheads are matched to what you're shopping and available by live chat, phone, or text, wherever you are in the US.
- Gear matching — help confirming details like freehub fit, spacer use, derailleur compatibility, and sizing choices for your build and riding needs
- System building — support for complete setups across multiple brands, whether you're piecing together a road, gravel, touring, or cross bike from parts you already have
- Sizing and fit — especially useful for technical gear and components where a chart or spec sheet alone is not always enough
- Honest comparisons — real side-by-side opinions on two options, including when the less expensive choice is the right call
- Trip planning — gear recommendations for specific environments, elevations, and conditions
- Pre-purchase and post-purchase support — help before you buy and after, so you can get details right the first time and shop with more confidence
