pherndon 

Wanted to get input from riders who have tried upgrading cassettes to get lower gear(s) for very steep hills. I own a Specialized Rubaix Comp (2018), with the following details:
FRONT DERAILLEUR - Shimano Ultegra 8000, braze-on
SHIFT LEVERS - Shimano Ultegra 8020, hydraulic disc
CASSETTE - Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11-32t
CHAINRINGS - 50/34T
REAR DERAILLEUR - Shimano Ultegra 8000, long cage, 11-speed
I know that the Shimano CS-HG700-11t is compatible and would give me 2 extra teeth on the 34t sprocket, but wanted to get input from others if upgrading this cassette would feel worth the time and money on steep hills.

colnago62

There is a difference but not a huge difference. How steep and long are the hills you trying to climb.

SapInMyBlood

From memory it's only a 1-2% difference. If you want to make a big difference, go to a 30/46 Chainring combo

SapInMyBlood

From memory it's only a 1-2% difference. If you want to make a big difference, go to a 30/46 Chainring combo

pherndon 

I live in the Las Vegas valley, specifically in the Sun City Anthem area. I don't know grade angles for my hills, but they can be pretty darn steep. They can be both long and steep inclines. When I consider the the incremental differences between the 11t sprocket up to the 32t, most of the sprockets are only 2-3 teeth more than the one before, and I certainly can tell the difference when I pedal from one sprocket to the next, either upper gear or lower. So I feel that those 2 teeth will probably be noticeable to me.

I'm inclined to get an order in for the CS-HG700-11t cassette and when it finally arrives, go ahead and install it.

Was looking for feedback from anyone who's taken this approach, to learn if they felt it was worth it.

Thanks,.

pherndon 

Good idea - need to research the compatible chainrings and find someone who has them (can get them) in stock.

Thanks.

Koyote

This. Going from 32 to 34 in back will be barely noticeable.

Shimano's GRX crankset has 48 and 31 tooth chainrings, but it needs the matching front derailleur. Still, it's a great piece of kit, and will work well. And if you can't climb with a 31-32, then you just can't climb.

Drago1010

Did it on my 2015 Roubaix Comp . Needed a new cassette and am getting old (67 at that time) so I figured what he hell I need every advantage I can get. Been 2 years and I like it. Has it improved my climbing? I think so at least psychologically.

DaveSSS 

The shimano 11-34 has lousy sprocket spacing. It's more like an MTB cassette with 2T jumps from the start. A 34/32 should be enough for grades in the 4-8% range, but every rider is different It's all about power to weight ratio. At 67 years old, I use a 30/36 low gear with my sram axs drivetrain, but I have grades of up to 12%. I can do shorter 10% grades with a 30/32.

colnago62

I have run 11-32, 11-34 and 11-36 on my 8000r the difference is noticeable between the 32 and 34, it kept my cadence higher and more comfortable on climbs I could do on the 32. The 36 really made a difference a steep long stuff that I couldnt do on a 32.

CAT7RDR

I had a 46/30 GRX crankset swapped for a 50/34 compact with a 12-27 10-speed Ultegra grupo and I am glad I did. No big jumps and I still have a 30-27 low gear for the steeps. My Ultegra FD was clamped on so I did not need the GRX FD after adjustments were completed.

Atlas Shrugged

It’s worth the upgrade and 11-34 is a very popular option. The GRX 800 crankset with matching front derailleur is a pretty expensive option if you can find one. Pretty limited stock at the present time.

datlas 

Realize a 2t difference is a BIG deal with smaller cogs and a small deal with bigger cogs. You can get the wider cassette but difference from 32 to 34 is quite small.

guachi

I have an 11-34 and it does, indeed, have lousy spacing. I'm not certain it's worth spending any money to get an 11-34 cassette if you already have an 11-32. Maybe if you had an extra set of wheels specifically for climbing, or something like that.

HTupolev

Difference in what?

If we're talking how much the 34 would lower the gear ratio, it's:
(34/32 - 1)*100 = 6.25%

znomit

This

It's a decent bump if the hills are killing you. You might need a longer chain.

SapInMyBlood

I stand corrected!

I also have a 11-34 on my road bike. That 1:1 is super nice for hilly touring rides

scottfsmith

FYI 11-34's seem to be scarce these days.. 11-32 is much easier to find. I am building a new set of wheels and the only 11-34 Ultegra I could find that was not price-gouged was at a bike store in Singapore on eBay. Regular price, ten bucks shipping, came in a few days, score!

My Spesh Roubaix came with 11-34 so I'm not choosing it over anything, but I like how I can do 15% hills in the saddle with it.