Originally Posted by
GeoKrpan
What Shimano really needs to do is make a Dynasys, 11 speed, hydraulic, triple, road integrated shifter set.
People are having to resort to 11-40, 11-42, and soon 11-46 cassettes, plus a gadget, to get ultra low gears with a compact road crank.
I run 9 speed, 50/39/30 crank, and 12-26 cassette. I like the nice, tight cassette and the 50 to 39 shift is a much better transition than 50 to 34. If I needed lower gears I could simply slap on a MTB cassette and/or a MTB crank.
PS The Erickson Gizmo is extinct, no longer available.
I agree that closer spacing is much nicer. 11-40 spacing is decent throughout the range. 11-42 starts spreading out a bit more at the lower end. Then there is the OneUp 45T cog, replacing the 17 and 19 cogs with an 18 on an 11-40 cassette, but the resulting steps in the crucial 15-20 mph range are unacceptable to me.
45T Sprocket +18T XT/XTR [Shimano 1x11] - OneUp Components US
Perhaps Shimano's 11-46 cassette would provide better spacing in the mid-range, but I don't have the need to go to a 46. Last check, the 11-46 is not yet available.
First Look: Shimano 11-46T Cassette | BIKE Magazine