Originally Posted by
luxlumis
Can you disassemble and assemble cassettes just like that? I thought with the exception of the smallest cogwheels, they were permanently attached. Maybe I should have a closer look.
What kind of gearing for the back would you recommend for a 46/36/24 chainset, keeping in mind that I want a low-low (34) and a decent high gear?
The newer Shimano cassettes have removable small cogs, but the larger cogs are held together on a "spider" to save weight. However, you can still buy individual sprockets and make up your own cassette.
For me the 11 or 12/34 cassette gives plenty of range and more attention should be paid to the chain rings when it comes to suitable touring gears. My all day gear is around 67" and I want that with a neutral chain line. Also I like a high gear around 100", as I don't mind spinning out around 25mph when I'm touring, and a low gear around 20". So my solution is to use a wide double, 42/26 with an 11/34 cassette. Works very well.