Mountain Biking - 11-34 cassettes....shimano vs. Sram?

I am here to ask a sincere question.....not to spam you..LOL

I noticed that shiamno and SRAM have totally diffferent ratios for there 11-34 cassettes.

Shimano 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-34

SRAM 11-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-34

SRAM most notably has 6 tooth gap at end of cassette 28-34....any problems with the shifting from 28 to 34? How good would you expect the 28 to 34 (or 34 to 28)shift be under load with XT rear derailleur?

P.S. I was reading about SRAM cassettes bending in the bigger cogs..possibly due to the 34 not having enough support. Any truth?

SRAM 9.0 cassettes any good or should I just stick with XT? What about the 7.0 cassettes....were they better?

Also what is the diffrence in quality between PG-950,970,990? Is the PG-990 worth it or should I just save my money and get a PG-950 or PG- 970?

Supposedly SRAM has changed their ratios for '05. I read something over at MTBR.com that showed a 30 to 34 tooth jump I believe. I prefer the 11-32 cassettes anyway.

I used the PG-990's THey are only $35 vs the $65-$70 for XT Cassettes so I don't feel like dropping to the PG-970 is much of a savings.

Trey

Supposedly SRAM has changed their ratios for '05. I read something over at MTBR.com that showed a 30 to 34 tooth jump I believe. I prefer the 11-32 cassettes anyway.

I used the PG-990's THey are only $35 vs the $65-$70 for XT Cassettes so I don't feel like dropping to the PG-970 is much of a savings.

Trey

I was actually hoping the 28 to 34 jump worked OK. I don't think I'd mind a big gap at the end of the cassette....besides in the lowest gears 4 teeth doesn't really change the gear inches that much.

I am here to ask a sincere question.....not to spam you..LOL

I noticed that shiamno and SRAM have totally diffferent ratios for there 11-34 cassettes.

Shimano 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-34

SRAM 11-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-34

SRAM most notably has 6 tooth gap at end of cassette 28-34....any problems with the shifting from 28 to 34? How good would you expect the 28 to 34 (or 34 to 28)shift be under load with XT rear derailleur?

P.S. I was reading about SRAM cassettes bending in the bigger cogs..possibly due to the 34 not having enough support. Any truth?

SRAM 9.0 cassettes any good or should I just stick with XT? What about the 7.0 cassettes....were they better?

Also what is the diffrence in quality between PG-950,970,990? Is the PG-990 worth it or should I just save my money and get a PG-950 or PG- 970?

I have the PG-970 12-34T cassette with Deore derailer, I don't have problems shifting into the larger cog (although my upper pulley comes in slight contact to the largest cog). I don't shift under load though (heavy weight + muscle + BIG jump in shift = empty wallet after I'm done fixin' broken parts.

The only 11-34 SRAM PG-990 I have rideen worked fine. I had no issues going from 28 to 34 but there are plenty of others I have read about that have complaints about the jump.

I also have had no issues with my 7.0 cassette, and x7 derailleur though. The SRAM cassettes are almost half the price of the Shimano anyways

Hi,
I don't think I saved all that much going to a Sram cassette.
I don't think it looks as nice, or shifts as nice. But it's ok.
When it wears out, I'll prob go back to Shimano.

I was actually hoping the 28 to 34 jump worked OK. I don't think I'd mind a big gap at the end of the cassette....besides in the lowest gears 4 teeth doesn't really change the gear inches that much.

the 7-sp shimano "tourney" mega-range cassette has an even larger jump, and it works just fine for a while. Only thing allowing it to work so well is the deep ramps on that cog.

I have the 11-34 PG-990 cassette on my bike and it shifts just fine with my Sram x.9 derailleur.

I don't shift under load though (heavy weight + muscle + BIG jump in shift = empty wallet after I'm done fixin' broken parts.

I love it!.....LOL....I can sense there is more testosterone in this forum compared to Road Forum. Don't get me started about the average Roadie's mannerisms....cuz, uhh....nevermind.

the 7-sp shimano "tourney" mega-range cassette has an even larger jump, and it works just fine for a while. Only thing allowing it to work so well is the deep ramps on that cog.

there was a 7 speed freewheel 11-34.....it had a 24 to 34 jump for the last gear.....LOL.(10T diffference!!)...shifting the last gear must have been like shifting a chainring!

yep, that's hte exact jump, 10t...except this was a 14-34.

The shift is far easier to deal with if you have a "rapid-rise" style deraileur, or low-normal as some call it. If you do, it's pretty much like shifting any other gear, but takes a little bit more time. I reccomend shifting in the center chainring if you do. If your on a MTB and are in the granny gear, it's going to be a very slow shift.

I use Shimano cassettes on both my bikes, one SRAM equiped the other XTR equipped.
When I had the X.9 cassette, I could feel the shift was not as crisp as with a Shiamno so I've kept using Shimano XT or higher cassettes.

11-32 ratio though

Shimano 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-34

SRAM 11-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-34

SRAM most notably has 6 tooth gap at end of cassette 28-34....any problems with the shifting from 28 to 34? How good would you expect the 28 to 34 (or 34 to 28)shift be under load with XT rear derailleur?

P.S. I was reading about SRAM cassettes bending in the bigger cogs..possibly due to the 34 not having enough support. Any truth?

?
I have only used 11/32 on the solo, Shimano XT of course, and never have any problems. In fact I don't think there is even a necessity for the 32, with a 22t front sprocket. That lowest gear is only for when I have had enough and now want to rest for the final steep bit of the hill. To go to a 34t would not be necessary.

However, I also have a Mountain Tandem and we run a 24 t front sprocket, and do occasionally want a lower gear than a 32 on the rear. I bought a Shimano XT12/34 for this reason, but it now sits as a spare. We bent it first time out up the first hill. Don't know if the SRAM have a tendency to bend, but The Shimano did not stand up to it. Incidentally, this was a 5 arm spider on the cassette, and not the 4 arm that was prone to bending

I have had the SRAM and the Sh XT 11-32 I liked the SRAM better. I realy cant see a need for the 34 and have considered going to a 11-25. I cannot understand why 53-11 would need a 34 ;)

I love it!.....LOL....I can sense there is more testosterone in this forum compared to Road Forum. Don't get me started about the average Roadie's mannerisms....cuz, uhh....nevermind.

Any left-over testosterone will leave your body the minute you ride a bike with a 34 tooth cog.