I ride mtb's on the roads. Started with the Trek 800 Sport but (after a decade + of riding) acquired the Yokota Grizzly Peak in my appropriate size. So I threw on all the best and thought of giving up the Trek. But, as I started throwing parts at it, decided to keep it. The only rear wheel I had was equipped with a 7 speed cassette hub. Sun Race had a great cassette that fits my riding well: 11-34t 11,13,15,18,22,28,34. I really don't consider this big jumps for the road. The only difference in the 8 speed, on the Yokota, is the addition of a 42 tooth cog.