Originally Posted by
CliffordK
Hmmm... for Shimano, the last time I looked:
11-23 (Ultegra, DA)
11-25 (Ultegra, DA)
11-28 (105, Ultegra, DA)
11-32 (105, Ultegra)
12-25 (105, Ultegra, DA)
12-28 (DA)
11-40 (XTR)
So, that is 7 different gearing combos just for Shimano, not counting other brands. They just don't offer them all in all price levels.
Ok, add to that:
11-25 SRAM PG1170, 1190
11-26 SRAM PG1130, 1170, 1190
11-28 SRAM PG1130, 1170, 1190
11-30 SRAM 1190
11-32 SRAM PG1130, 1170, 1190
11-36 SRAM PG1130, 1170
10-42 SRAM XG1150, XG1175, XG1180, XG1195, XG1199
Another option is to adjust one's chainrings to match the gearing choices. So, use a 11T cassette with a smaller chainring. I.E. You don't need a 12T XTR cassette if one uses a dinky crankset.
I had a feeling I was missing something!
No stranger to mixing and matching chainrings to get the gearing I like, either, but I just can't get enthusiastic about the move to 11-X cassettes. It takes a fairly dinky chainring to bring that top gear down to something remotely usable by me (and so make use of the whole cassette), and 11T cogs are hard on the chain. Oh well.