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Which one would you choose?

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Old 03-26-08 | 04:13 PM
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Which one would you choose?

Okay, some context here... you're tired of dying as you're climbing hills, so you've decided to replace your 11-25 for an 11-32... or is it going to be an 11-34...?
Ratio and shifting wise (quality being equal for both), any advantage one over the other?

Thanks for your thoughts!
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Old 03-26-08 | 06:30 PM
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Well...the 34 will spin a little easier.
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Old 03-26-08 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by mtnbiker66
Well...the 34 will spin a little easier.
However, the rotational inertia (due to the huge 34 teeth cog) will be increased by 0.1%, causing a .0006% decrease in efficiency.
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Old 03-26-08 | 06:41 PM
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My opinion is that the 34 will be lighter.
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Old 03-26-08 | 06:43 PM
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I just rechecked the cog specs, 28-32 teeth and 30-34 teeth jump, so not any difference there for shifting latency.

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like it'll come to price or the best deal... doesn't it always?
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Old 03-26-08 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by xfimpg
Okay, some context here... you're tired of dying as you're climbing hills, so you've decided to replace your 11-25 for an 11-32... or is it going to be an 11-34...?
Ratio and shifting wise (quality being equal for both), any advantage one over the other?

Thanks for your thoughts!
Mike
First of all, 11-25 is typically found on a road cassette. The low gear on a MTB cassette is usually 32 or 34.

What MTB comes with an 11-25???
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Old 03-26-08 | 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by probable556
First of all, 11-25 is typically found on a road cassette. The low gear on a MTB cassette is usually 32 or 34.

What MTB comes with an 11-25???
This is for a roadie. I posted this question here in relation to the cassette size.
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Old 03-26-08 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by gastro
My opinion is that the 34 will be lighter.
I had one of each sitting in the basement for months... next to my scale. I installed the 32 yesterday without weighing it. Thus, I cannot confirm or refute.
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Old 03-26-08 | 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by gastro
My opinion is that the 34 will be lighter.
Hey, is that old BrickTop you got for an avatar? Great character.
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Old 03-26-08 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by xfimpg
This is for a roadie. I posted this question here in relation to the cassette size.
Are you using a road rear derailleur?
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Old 03-27-08 | 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by M_S
Are you using a road rear derailleur?
Nah, going to a Deore LX or XT long cage.
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Old 03-27-08 | 11:08 AM
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9 spd I assume? sram makes an 11-28 10speed.. not sure about 9. I wouldn't want the big cog leaps you'll find in an 11-32 on the road.
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Old 03-27-08 | 12:45 PM
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I've come close to ripping my frt. derailleur off and repl. it with a chain guide several times. The only thing that's kept my 22/32/BG with 11/34t setup is the few long rides that ended in a near vomit experience...the 22x34 ratio kept my legs moving and kept me on the bike for that last climb.

I'd go 34, but...I'm on a 32lb inefficient piggy.
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Old 03-27-08 | 12:47 PM
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I'd go 32.
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Old 03-27-08 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by ZeCanon
9 spd I assume? sram makes an 11-28 10speed.. not sure about 9. I wouldn't want the big cog leaps you'll find in an 11-32 on the road.
I used a 52/42 with 11-32 in back most of this summer. An odd setup, I know, but it seemed to work out pretty well. 'Course I had been using 7 speed previously so the gaps in shifting felt to be about the same. Currently my main ride has a 39 x 26 low gearm which seems adequate. Haven't done any ultra hilly 200 mile races or anything though...

To the OP I'd go for the 28 (as zecannon suggested) myself since you've also go the 34. That's a pretty low gear. Other than that, 32 I guess. The shifting will feel clunky either way compared to a standard road cassette, but that's just the price you pay for a wider gear range.
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Old 03-27-08 | 03:22 PM
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I vote 34
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Old 03-27-08 | 05:04 PM
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Thanks everyone, I appreciate all your feedback.
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