Cassette question

[themosquitoking]

All the bikes i look at are listed with the biggest and smallest cog sizes in the cassette supplied on the bike, how do you know what size cogs are in between? Does it even matter? Should i go away and stop worrying about these things?

 

[potsy]

All the bikes i look at are listed with the biggest and smallest cog sizes in the cassette supplied on the bike, how do you know what size cogs are in between? Does it even matter? Should i go away and stop worrying about these things?

I'd say stop worrying

Generally the bigger the gap between the two ends of the cassette then the bigger the jumps between gears will be, this is why some people will run 11-23 on a road bike for very small gaps between changes.
Something like an 11-34 wll have bigger jumps and you might not find a gear that you are comfortable in.

That said, stop worrying

 

[sidevalve]

Cassettes come in standard configurations, check out Sheldon Brown for exact examples. They can be tailored by you [or your LBS] to your exact requirements if you so wish but TBH I wouldn't really worry about it.

 

[accountantpete]

Mostly you have to take what they provide - but you can shop around a bit.

Here's a useful link

http://www.interlocracing.com/cassbreakdown.html

 

[themosquitoking]

Cheers peeps, i'm going to have a read of sheldon, do some working out with that table and then go and sit in the corner and have a little word with myself.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

All the bikes i look at are listed with the biggest and smallest cog sizes in the cassette supplied on the bike, how do you know what size cogs are in between? Does it even matter? Should i go away and stop worrying about these things?

If it is Shimano you can find the cog sizes in their Techdocs.