11-32 cassette v 11-34

[Sunny Portrush]

Hi All,

Off to the Alps again the the summer and the bike I`m going to hire has a choice of two rear cassettes - an 11-32 or an 11-34. The front cassette is 34-50.

Is there ant real advantage between the two, I assume the 11-34 will be slightly easier to pedal uphill (and I`ll need all the help I can get!). I`m not worried about downhill speeds as I`m the equivalent of James May when I descend but is there any difference when on a flat surface?

 

[Milkfloat]

There will be a little bit more of a jump between gears that if you are very sensitive on your cadence could be a bit annoying. Personally, I would take the 34 as I can use a wide range of cadence and always appreciate an easier gear if the going gets really tough.

 

[Grant Fondo]

34 would be my pick, so you get a 1-1 gear. It will be handy on the really steep bits

 

[Smokin Joe]

Definitely the 34.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Cheers, I did Alpe d`Huez on an 11-32 and it was "easy" enough mainly cos my own bike is 11-26!

However, I intend to do the Croix de Fer which is 30km of climbing. I did attempt it last year but it was ridiculously hot (37 degrees) so I turned round about 8km from the top as I was feeling a bit odd lol. An 11-34 means I should get to the top (hopefully!)

 

[helston90]

If you were asking for the UK I'd say the 32 due to the closer step changes and therefore easier to find a good cadence, however since you're going off to purposefully climb hills I'd go 34.

 

[derrick]

Hi All,

Off to the Alps again the the summer and the bike I`m going to hire has a choice of two rear cassettes - an 11-32 or an 11-34. The front cassette is 34-50.

Is there ant real advantage between the two, I assume the 11-34 will be slightly easier to pedal uphill (and I`ll need all the help I can get!). I`m not worried about downhill speeds as I`m the equivalent of James May when I descend but is there any difference when on a flat surface?

No difference on the flat.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I changed from 11-32 to 11-34 a year or two ago (34-50 up front). It's a definite and noticeable improvement. But then I'm not one of those cadence connoisseurs who cares about jumps between gears.

I don't ride in the Alps. But I do ride the hills of the North Downs, which are pretty much the same thing

 

[MontyVeda]

In my experience, even one tooth makes a noticeable difference. I'd go for the 34.

 

[gavroche]

As someone who always struggle with hills, 34 is a definite for me. If I was doing the Alps, I would even go for a 36,

 

[Donger]

The difference really is noticeable. My bikes both now have a 34 on the rear. Must 'fess up to using a triple chain ring as well, giving me a 26/34 ratio. It has got this big ass unit up a few Alps in comfort though.

 

[gom]

20Km @ 8%+ : 15+ years ago I remember being glad of my 22/36. I was slow, I’ll admit.

 

[sleuthey]

is there any difference when on a flat surface?

No.

However you have assumed correct in that it will be easier up hill, when there are steep ones.

 

[Smokin Joe]

The jumps between ratios on 11-32 and 11-34 are barely (If at all) noticeable,

 

[CXRAndy]

Cheers, I did Alpe d`Huez on an 11-32 and it was "easy" enough mainly cos my own bike is 11-26!

However, I intend to do the Croix de Fer which is 30km of climbing. I did attempt it last year but it was ridiculously hot (37 degrees) so I turned round about 8km from the top as I was feeling a bit odd lol. An 11-34 means I should get to the top (hopefully!)

Try the Marmot route. I attempted it a few years ago, I had terrible gastric distress and failed to go up the Alpe at the end. The gastric distress was caused a day or two before when we cycled up the croix de fer down the other side and up the Glandon, then back to Borg d Oisans with 40C temps. Far too much carb electrolyte on that day screwed subsequent rides

Only use water now and proper food to fuel