7 spd cassette question
 

I'm planning to replace the cassette on my Cannondale H300 hybrid. The current one is 11-28 and that is what I'm used to. If I replaced it with a 12-32 cassette would I notice a big difference? Also, I'm looking at the Shimano HG-70 (11-28) and the SRAM PG-730 (12-32) cassettes. Is one better than the other? (i.e. reliability, performance, weight, etc.).

Thanks!

Tim

You'll definitely find climbing a little easier with the 32 tooth big cog.

What are you using for a rear derailleur? It might be a stretch for a Shimano road derailleur to handle the 32 tooth big cog. If I were to guess, I'd assume your rear derailleur will be OK. You also will probably need a longer chain to handle the 32 t big cog but I always recommend using a fresh chain with a new cassette anyway.

Other than gear range I doubt you'll be able to tell any difference between the shimano and Sram cassettes.

This is a handy site to figure out what affects changes to your gearing will ahve. http://www.panix.com/~jbarrm/cycal/cycal.30f.html

Thanks, Retro! The rear derailleur is Shimano Alivio. Pretty long cage, not a road bike short cage. I also plan on a new chain. I've always believed if you replace the cassette, replace the chain and vice versa. If there's no big diff between Shimano and SRAM I'll just go with the cheaper one.

Tim

Thanks Davidad!

If the current gears suits your needs, then stick with it. If the lower gear won't get used, then you'll effectively have a 6-speed, not a 7.

The lower gearing is not of concern to me. I live in Florida and the steepest things I climb are overpasses and bridges. The only reason I'd change the gearing
is if I went with the SRAM cassette. They don't have one in 11-28, at least none that Google showed. Since the SRAM is cheaper than the Shimano I was curious
what the gearing change would do. From additional research I've done it appears that most folks prefer Shimano over SRAM due to performance, meaning
the Shimano has crisper, more accurate shifts. But it's also $20 more! It's a tough decision; save money or get better performance. I'm starting to ride more and longer distances and when I ride, I ride a pretty fast pace with lots of shifting due to the overpasses and bridges. So performance is a plus, just not sure if it's worth the extra $$.

Thanks for the post!!

Tim

Performance includes not only the better shifting of the Shikmano (which is debatable), but also the fact that it has the gearing you want.

I'd spend the extra $20. Otherwise, you're just throwing away a gear (the 32T) if you'll never use it.

yeah.... buy shimano... it is the material!!! Shimanos last longer than sram me think and their manufacturing tolerances are better too...

I agree. To me, the gearing that you want is the biggie.

A year from now you won't be able to remember how you spent the $20.00 that you saved but you'll still be living with the cassette. Make sure it has the gears that you like.