Originally Posted by
DMC707
Do you have the time to procure a new cassette and possibly a mid cage derailleur for the light bike with the 11 speed?
If so, that's what i'd do -- install a 12-32 and a mid cage derailleur-- then you would have the biggest gears on the lightest bike
^this
I normally ride a 12-28 or an 11-28 cassette on my 11 speed bike which weighs 16lbs. I bought a 12-25 and already had an 11-32. I made a 12-32 out of it and it was simply
brilliant in the recent trip I made out to the mountains to ride. It was also much better on the flat than the 11-32 too. Total cost of this would be about $110 if from Bike Tires Direct and is about a 15 minute project if you already had neither of those two cassettes. (You'll have a 11-25 left over). Having that additional 4 teeth as a granny gear was really nice. If your cadence is only around 60-65, you'll appreciate the lower gear.
You will need the mid cage RD if you don't have it already. That, also, is not a difficult to change.
J.